PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Katelyn Bako hails from Southern California, but she’s a Pittsburgher at heart.

When you visit her new eatery, Dad’s Dog & Burger in Bloomfield, be sure to say hi to her father, Rick Bako. The McKees Rocks native will rave about his pride and joy while ringing up your order. It’s adorable.

“He’s been my No. 1 supporter,” says Katelyn, who moved here last August from Orange County. “I didn’t pick a typical career path. I’ve always been more creative and entrepreneurial. I’ve been successful because I had him to support me.”

Dad’s soft opening hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. On April 12 (412 Day), the eatery will host a launch party from noon to 4 p.m.

PHOTOS BY KRISTY GRAVER

In addition to affordably priced natural-casing hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, breakfast sandwiches, milkshakes and root beer floats, there’ll be free goodies from pastry chef Marla Mae and tunes spun by DJ Dini Daddy. Celebrate your yinzer heritage by taking your parents out to lunch, n’at.

The storefront has been a mom-and-pop operation for decades. In September, after 49 years in business, G/M Dog “N” Burger Shoppe closed.

Katelyn kept the “Dog & Burger” part as a tribute to her predecessor.

With help from friends and relatives, she gutted the greasy spoon, yet managed to maintain its retro charm. The wood-paneled walls are filled with Steel City memorabilia and the shelves are lined with vintage H.J. Heinz Co. doodads. Katelyn’s first order of business once she relocated was to add a ketchup bottle to her tattoo collection.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Even the burger joint’s mascot is a nod to Pittsburgh’s past.

“Steely Dad” is a reimagining of a Steelers logo from the ‘60s featuring a millworker punting a pigskin while balancing on an I-beam. Now he sports a paper hat and apron while holding a burger and drop-kicking a hot dog. That might be my next tattoo!

Other local business owners have welcomed Dad’s to town with open arms, including Dustin and Brittani Boutilier, fellow Californians who run the ‘77 Club, a pop-up that specializes in “pizza sandwiches.”

Katelyn says she met and instantly bonded with Sarah Coppolo on the day the beloved soup maker opened brothmonger on Liberty Avenue. She encouraged the adopted Pittsburgher to buy the turn-key eatery down the street. That’s why brothmonger-brand chili tops every Dad’s chili dog.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

In another stroke of serendipity, in Katelyn’s West Coast roller derby days, she bought gear from Wicked Skatewear in Los Angeles, a woman-owned company that has a second location — in Bloomfield! Come to think of it, Dad’s decor reminds me of the snack bar at Neville Roller Drome, my favorite local rink that’s been around since 1948.

Although her head is spinning from all the excitement, Katelyn is focused on serving good food that’s accessible to as many people as possible. As a lover of both franks and beef patties, I guess I’m destined for a “dad bod.”

“We want to keep it simple and consistent,” she says, as her beaming dad nods his head in agreement. “We’re not trying to be a new thing every week. Come in and get a dog or a burger.”