What can you say about Pink’s Hot Dogs that hasn’t already been said. My visit was encapsulated by a couple that traveled from Bakersfield to enjoy their bi-monthly food craving. Gabriel and Sarah just come from Bakersfield with no other reason in mind than to do their famous combo late lunch. I asked them, is there something else you are doing while you’re in Los Angeles, and they said no we just come here for Pink’s. Gabriel gets a chili dog with sauerkraut and adds bacon fries on the top. It’s a monster size meal that he eats in about 5 minutes. His girlfriend Sarah, doesn’t partake, she gets her own delicate meal, a simple Pink’s hot dog. I asked them if they had anything comparable there in Bakersfield, and they told me no. So, for them the road trip is a pleasure and a delight. Richard Pink was guiding me in my Pink’s late lunch journey, when Gabriel and Sarah found out he was the owner, to them he could have been Tom Cruise. They were so excited to take a photo with him, and couldn’t believe their luck that Richard Pink was sitting at the next table. In their eyes he is a huge celebrity – but wait a minute – he actually is!!
Richard Pink has been running Pink’s since his mom and pop retired in 1985, he is a marketing wiz, and Pink’s Hot Dogs has profited from all of his ingenious ideas. He met me with a smile and told me he was going to hook me up with all the new menu items, as well as some oldies, but goodies. He is a true leader, and takes care of all of his employees. Quite a few of his employees have been there for twenty years or more. His business is a joy to him, and he would not want it any other way. He does get help from his wife, Gloria, and sister, Beverly, both always there to greet you with a smile. They are usually wearing some sort of Pink clothing, as well as Pink’s Hot Dog purses. They relish, no pun intended, in their iconic Hot Dog Stand!!
I met the family back in 2012 at The Concern Cancer event at The Paramount Lot and they invited me in for a tasting back then. This past Concern Cancer event, this year, I was saying hello and they had a visitor while I was there, Giada De Laurentis. I got to meet her and take a photo with her. Richard told me that they have a dog named after her. He invited me in again to try their new menu items, boy was I glad he did! And I tried the Giada De Laurentis dog, yum!!
About Pink’s:
Pink’s Hot Dogs, Inc., a Hollywood landmark since 1939, this hot dog stand serves over 2000 hot dogs and 200 hamburgers a day. Pink’s was started in 1939 by Richard’s parents, Paul and Betty Pink, with a pushcart they purchased for $50, which money they borrowed from Betty’s mother. The land on which the pushcart stood was leased by Paul and Betty for $15 per month. Hot dogs at that time were 10 cents and cokes were a nickel. Pink’s offered curb service and was lucky to sell 100 hot dogs a day.
In 1941, the landlord raised their rent from $15 to $25 per month, a 67% increase, and Paul and Betty were forced to either give up or find a way to acquire the property. Paul and Betty, with little collateral but lots of conviction in the potential success of their hot dog stand, convinced Bank of America to loan them $4,000 to purchase the land, which fortunately the landlord was willing to sell. They added a cover to the pushcart, allowing them to also grill hamburgers, and it remained until 1946. The menu was simple: A chili dog and a hamburger. The price of the hot dog in 1946 was 25 cents.
At that time, Paul and Betty scraped together enough savings to build the small hot dog stand building that sits near the corner of La Brea and Melrose today. The location included parking for about 25 cars and eventually the indoor and patio seating expanded to accommodate 80 customers.
Paul & Betty also were raising two children, Beverly, and Richard. In order to afford living expenses, it was necessary for Paul and Betty to find another source of income, so they opened in 1958 a flower store next door to Pink’s Hot Dog stand. The flower store thrived for 10 years due to the talent of Betty in the design of flower arrangements, which she learned working part time for her brother, a florist, while she was also running Pink’s with Paul.
Paul and Betty operated the hot dog stand, starting with 4 employees and expanding over time to 10 and 20 and now Pink’s has a staff of about 30 employees. In 1985 at the age of 73 and 75, Paul and Betty retired. At that point, Richard, his wife, Gloria, and sister, Beverly, took over the operation of Pink’s. Since that time, the family has created over 40 combinations of hot dogs and a dozen varieties of hamburgers to satisfy the variety of tastes of its patrons. Pink’s, located near major Hollywood studios like Paramount, Universal and Disney, started to attract upcoming and established movie and TV stars. Pink’s celebrity wall of fame in the dining room started as a place for aspiring actors to hang their photos to be discovered by producers and directors who were known to dine at Pink’s. Today, Pink’s dining room is filled with over 200 photos of celebrities with signed endorsements of their enjoyment of Pink’s Hot Dogs.
Due to Pink’s unique menu, its historic age for an LA restaurant (83 years) and its celebrity patrons, it has now been featured in movies, TV shows, the food channel, the travel channel, and travel books. As the Pink’s name grew, large restaurant operators came to the family wanting to license the Pink’s name and products in various amusement parks, hotels, arenas and county fairs. Pink’s now has 8 locations including the Original at 709 N. La Brea (Hollywood), Universal City Walk (Hollywood), Raging Waters (San Dimas), Los Angeles and Orange County Fairs, Wisconsin, Oahu, and the Philippines. Pink’s also has an active catering business.
Pink’s attributes its longevity and its success to the tastiness of its hot dogs, which snap when you bite into them, it’s never ending hot dog menu combinations, its loyal long-term staff of over 24, many of whom have been with Pink’s for over ten years, its unique 1946 open kitchen curb side stand and relaxed dining room and patio seating, its Hollywood location and atmosphere, its appearances nationwide in movies and TV and its commitment to the community through its chili dogs for charity program. Pink’s is often referred to as “A Hollywood Legend Since 1939” but the Pink family likes to say “We are the little hot dog stand that could.”
Here’s What I Tried:
Burgers:
“Magic” Mushroom – Double Burger, with Grilled mushrooms, 2 burgers, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo.
“JAWS” – The BIG one – Poli-bacon chili cheeseburger, one grilled Polish dog, hamburger, 3 strips of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo.
Dogs:
The Brando Dog – 9″ stretch dog, mustard, onions, chili, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Lord of the Rings Dog – 9″ stretch dog, yummy BBQ sauce, topped with onion rings.
Poli – Bacon Burrito Dog – Big flour tortilla wrapped around 1 Polish hot dog (mild or spicy), cheddar cheese, 3 slices of bacon, chili, and onions.
Martha Stewart Dog – 9″ stretch dog, relish, onions, 3 strips of bacon, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut, and sour cream.
LA Street Dog – 9″ stretch dog topped with 3 strips of bacon, sauteed peppers and onions, mayo, ketchup, and jalapeños.
Philly Cheesesteak Dog – 9″ stretch dog with grilled steak, grilled peppers and onions, American and Swiss cheese.
Giada De Laurentiis Dog – 9″ stretch dog, sauteed peppers, onions, mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, and shredded mozzarella cheese — That’s Italian!
Carl Reiner Dog – 9″ stretch dog, topped with mustard, and sauerkraut.
Reuben Pastrami Dog – 9″ stretch dog with Pastrami, mustard, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut.
El Cucuy Dog – 12″ jalapeno dog, mayo, mustard, ketchup, grilled onions, jalapenos, and bacon.
Sides:
Fries.
Onion Rings.
Holee Molee Fries, topped with nacho cheese and guacamole.
Cup of Coleslaw.
Cup of Ranch Dressing Dip.
Cup of Barbecue Sauce.
Cup of Chili.
Dessert:
Coconut Cake, with coconut frosting.
Chocolate Fudge Cake, with chocolate frosting.
I just loved the BBQ sauce – dipped onion rings on the Lord of the Rings, and loved the Mushroom Burger, the Philly Cheesesteak Dog, and the Rueben Pastrami Dog. All of the other food items are delectable, but these are my go-to’s. I would recommend trying a few dogs and a mushroom burger, alongside a cup of chili, coleslaw, ranch dressing, onion rings, and fries. The coconut cake is amazing as well, save room for dessert!! Whatever is your fancy you will be astounded by the freshness and great quality that Pink’s always offers. The best part is the dogs snap at every bite, if you know what I mean, you know!
I asked Richard how he keeps so young; he was eating a hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut when I asked him. He told me that he loves the food at Pink’s, but he also told me that he eats lots of salads and will have a double turkey burger without the bun. So even if you’re a bit health conscious you can tailor one of their menu items to be what your diet will allow. But when in Rome do as they do and enjoy the dog with all of the fixings! You can go to the gym or diet afterwards, but Pink’s is worth every bite!
I know you’re probably asking how can she eat that much, as always I had some guests join me to enjoy my lovely food bounty. And there were many doggy bags to be taken home.
All I can say is why try to change a good thing. Pink’s knows their customers and has been firmly planted in Los Angeles pop culture for a long time. Pink’s has the Hollywood stars all a buzz as well, as you can tell from all of their photos inside the stand. They are a destination spot for locals, Pink lovers, and tourists – from around the world. Make no mistakes, Pink’s is an iconic landmark, people come from far and wide just to indulge. It’s just a must try when in the city of Angels. You too will become a hooked Pink’s Hot Dog customer. The lines are always around the corner, so get in line, talk to your fellow Pink’s fans and delight in their art of hot dogs – the way it’s meant to be enjoyed!!
Pink’s Hot Dogs
709 N. La Brea
Los Angeles, CA 90038
#PINKSHOTDOGS
*Note some content was taken off of their website.
