Pink's Hot Dogs
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Pink's Hot Dogs is a landmark hot dog restaurant in the Hollywood district of the city of Los Angeles.
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[edit] History
Pink's was founded by Paul and Betty Pink in 1939 as a pushcart near the corner of La Brea and Melrose. The Great Depression was still having an impact on the country, and money was scarce. People could purchase a chili dog made with Betty's own chili recipe accompanied by mustard and onions on a steamed bun for 10 cents each. As business grew, thanks to Betty's chili and the custom-made Hoffy-brand [1] hot dogs with their natural casings, so did Pink's. The family built the current building in 1946 at 709 North La Brea.
[edit] Today
Pink's has named several newer menu items named after Hollywood celebrities, some of whom can be seen at the restaurant. [1] There are many signed celebrity photographs hanging on the walls inside; some celebrities have signed more than one photo. The celebrity-named hot dogs are often versions actually ordered by the person in question, such as the "Martha Stewart Dog" with mustard, relish, onions, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut, bacon, and sour cream. Another is the "Rosie O'Donnell Long Island Dog," which is a 10" dog topped with mustard, onions, chili and sauerkraut. The "Huell Howser Dog" is a standard chili dog with two of the regular hot dogs on a single bun while the "Ozzy Spicy Dog" named for Ozzy Osbourne features a Polish sausage, nacho cheese, American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole and chopped tomatoes. [2]
A large selection of hamburgers are available as are desserts, with the latter limited to generous slices of coconut or marble cake.
There is usually a long line of customers in front despite the lack of parking in and around the area. The often slow-moving line is viewed by some as part of the attraction at Pink's, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when the stand becomes packed with club and concert goers. At other times, the line might dissuade others although it only takes an average of thirty seconds to receive one's order after it is placed. The business is strictly cash; no credit cards are accepted. Sales tax is included in the posted prices.
Pink's has its own parking-lot attendant, even though parking is free. [1] According to the menu, Pink's original signature chili dog in stretched, 10"/25cm form remains the stand's top seller.
[edit] In popular culture
- On CBS' 1991 late night game show, Personals, contestants could win a date to Pink's if they were not successful in winning more glamorous destinations.
- The restaurant was featured in a 2001 stunt on the television show Jackass when Brad Pitt was "kidnapped" outside while waiting in line, to the horror of onlookers. More recently, the restaurant has also been featured in a TV commercial for the 2007 Volvo S80, as the couple in the ad race to Pink's for a late-night meal before closing time and as Bobby Flay's opponent on Food Network's Throwdown! with Bobby Flay.
- On the FX series Nip/Tuck, characters Sean McNamara and Christian Troy are shown eating Pink's hot dogs in the premiere episode of the fifth season.
- In Comin' To Your City, the 2005 single by country music duo Big & Rich, they claim that "LA has the freaks and Pink's and fifteen-dollar drinks."
- The Harlan Ellison short story Prince Myshkin and Hold the Relish features a friendly debate on Dostoevsky and The Idiot between the narrator and a vendor at Pink's.
[edit] External links
- Pink's Hot Dogs is at coordinates Coordinates:
