Something to Smile About: Eat’n Park’s Iconic Cookie Turns 40
Recently named "The Coolest Thing Made in PA," the Smiley Cookie has been making kids (and adults) happy since 1986.
PHOTO COURTESY EAT’N PARK
Eatʼn Parkʼs Smiley Cookie celebrates the Big 4-0 this year, but that hasn’t dulled his enthusiasm for life.
The cheerful treat was recently named the “Coolest Thing Made in PA” in a bracket-style competition sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
The Pittsburgh restaurant chain bakes nearly 8 million Smiley Cookies every year, donating more than 200,000 to community events and charitable organizations. Plus, every kid who dines at “The Place for Smiles” gets a cookie at the end of their meal.
PHOTO COURTESY EAT’N PARK
Smiley debuted when I was 7 and has helped this lifelong pessimist turn her frown upside down a number of times. (Admittedly, when it comes to emotive pastries, I prefer the King’s Family Restaurant Frownie.)
While growing up in Titusville, former Eat’n Park chairman Jim Broadhurst made regular after-school visits to Warner’s Bakery for their big, beaming sugar cookies. In 1986, with owner Ellsworth Warner’s blessing, he put his own spin on Smiley Cookies and added them to Eat’n Park’s offerings.
And a Pittsburgh icon was born.
PHOTO COURTESY EAT’N PARK
I learned these bits — or, in this case, bites — of trivia from Lynn McMahon, a local author who literally wrote the book on Eat’n Park for the company’s 75th anniversary in 2022. It’s a fun read that’ll make you smile through big, fat, nostalgic tears. I was thrilled to find a photo of my great aunt, Kathy Carter, who worked at the McKees Rocks location for 30 years.
There have been dozens of limited-edition Smileys over the decades, ranging from seasonal shapes to famous faces that include artist Andy Warhol, documentarian Rick Sebak, “Pittsburgh Dad” Curt Wootton, Pirates phenom pitcher Paul Skenes and Steelers Brett Keisel and Cam Heyward.
During the Merry Berry Month of May, Smiley got a makeover with strawberry icing and pink features. Eat’n Park’s Merry Berry and Christmas Star commercials get a lot of attention, but I urge you to search YouTube for Smiley’s 1992 claymation spot produced by the same company that gave us the California Raisins.
PHOTO COURTESY EAT’N PARK
Interest in Smiley Cookies spiked during the Super Bowl in 2006 when Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wagered some of their respective city’s sweets. After the Steelers won the Lombardi Trophy, Smiley Cookie distribution went nationwide.
In addition to a multitude of merch, the mascot has a hot air balloon and his own sweet ride, the Cookie Cruiser, which transports him to hundreds of appearances throughout the region. Hungry fans can go online to add personal photos to Smiley Cookies or order a decorating kit to create a dozen in their own likeness.
Despite his popularity with children, Smiley does have adult detractors, who say he’s just too sweet. I’m assuming these sourpusses won’t be celebrating National Sugar Cookie Day on July 9 with an offering from Eat’n Park.
That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
