The Legendary PINK’S …
So I finally got to eat at Pink’s hot dog stand in Los Angeles this past weekend. To say I was excited would be somewhat of an understatement. Sad I know... Ever since the beginning of my frankfurter obsession, Pink’s had been near the top of my list of places to eat at before the end of the year.
Was it everything I hoped it would be? Almost…
Since its conception in 1939, Pink’s architectural structure has evolved from a small, portable, white hot dog stand to its present petite formation complete with outdoor seating in the back, and its own free parking lot on the side. Despite its structural growth however, one thing still remains the same: its location. Paul and Betty Pink first opened up shop on La Brea Avenue in 1939, and then a few years later in 1946, they moved Pink’s to its current address up the street on the corner of La Brea and Melrose.
After Nick and I parked we proceeded to wait in the line that was starting to spiral underneath a bubble gum colored banner across the street. The menu was displayed in a mural like manner behind the hot dog cooks and consisted of not only exotic hot dogs, but hamburgers and burritos as well. The room’s interior boasted an eclectic array of autographed celebrity photos as well as a handful of hopeful unknowns. Some members of the Pink’s fan club include Liz Taylor, Jay Leno, Goldie Hawn, Dean Martin, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Eddie Murphy, Michael Jackson, Kurt Russell, Barbara Streisand, Michael J. Fox, Jennifer Garner, Diana Ross, Kim Bassinger, Richard Dreyfus and Roseanne.
Pink’s is most famous for their chili cheese dog, but in the event that one may not be craving a chili cheese dog, there are plenty of other alternatives to satisfy the stomach. Such items include the Guadalajara dog which comes dressed with relish, onions, tomatoes and topped with sour cream; the Polish pastrami; Chicago Polish dog which can be prepared mild or spicy and has mustard, onions, tomatoes and lettuce; the New York dog with red spicy onions; Brooklyn Pastrami; Swiss Cheese dog; Cole Slaw dog; and Turkey dog.
Pink’s also offers super hot dog specials most of which are named after celebrities or well known characters. These selections are charmingly displayed on individual sheets clipped up against the clear plastic divider above the counter. Nick ordered the Harry Potter Dog special, a Polish sausage with grilled onions and mushrooms, topped with bacon and nacho cheese. Other unique orders include the Martha Stewart Dog, a 10” Stretch dog with mustard, relish, onions, chopped tomatoes and sauerkraut, topped with bacon and sour cream; the Lord of the Rings Dog, a 10” Stretch dog with BBQ sauce and topped with onion rings; The Today Show Dog, two hot dogs in one bun with mustard, onions, chili, cheese and guacamole.
While Nick chowed down on his Harry Potter dog, I devoured a slightly simpler dog, the bacon chili cheese dog, generously topped with two strips of bacon, tomatoes, cheese, onions and chili.
When I took the first bite of my savory smelling bacon chili cheese dog, my mouth was greeted with a “snap”… literally. The quality that distinguishes Pink’s dogs from other dogs is its taught skin that pops and bursts in your mouth when you bite into it. I was a little surprised at first. I wasn’t quite sure what to think. To be frank, I initially suspected that there was something wrong with my hot dog. I asked Nick if his held the same manner as mine. He said he didn’t think so. Hmmm…
All in all I thought everything tasted fine. Nick seemed fairly content. Part of me however was expecting something a little more. I don’t know what it is though. I think I may have held greater expectations than I should have. For a hot dog stand that has been up and running successfully for 66 years, they are doing just fine… I can’t wait till my next visit. I’m going to order the Ozzy Osborne Dog, a spicy polish dog topped with nacho cheese, American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole and chopped tomatoes!!
So I finally got to eat at Pink’s hot dog stand in Los Angeles this past weekend. To say I was excited would be somewhat of an understatement. Sad I know... Ever since the beginning of my frankfurter obsession, Pink’s had been near the top of my list of places to eat at before the end of the year.
Was it everything I hoped it would be? Almost…
Since its conception in 1939, Pink’s architectural structure has evolved from a small, portable, white hot dog stand to its present petite formation complete with outdoor seating in the back, and its own free parking lot on the side. Despite its structural growth however, one thing still remains the same: its location. Paul and Betty Pink first opened up shop on La Brea Avenue in 1939, and then a few years later in 1946, they moved Pink’s to its current address up the street on the corner of La Brea and Melrose.
After Nick and I parked we proceeded to wait in the line that was starting to spiral underneath a bubble gum colored banner across the street. The menu was displayed in a mural like manner behind the hot dog cooks and consisted of not only exotic hot dogs, but hamburgers and burritos as well. The room’s interior boasted an eclectic array of autographed celebrity photos as well as a handful of hopeful unknowns. Some members of the Pink’s fan club include Liz Taylor, Jay Leno, Goldie Hawn, Dean Martin, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Eddie Murphy, Michael Jackson, Kurt Russell, Barbara Streisand, Michael J. Fox, Jennifer Garner, Diana Ross, Kim Bassinger, Richard Dreyfus and Roseanne.
Pink’s is most famous for their chili cheese dog, but in the event that one may not be craving a chili cheese dog, there are plenty of other alternatives to satisfy the stomach. Such items include the Guadalajara dog which comes dressed with relish, onions, tomatoes and topped with sour cream; the Polish pastrami; Chicago Polish dog which can be prepared mild or spicy and has mustard, onions, tomatoes and lettuce; the New York dog with red spicy onions; Brooklyn Pastrami; Swiss Cheese dog; Cole Slaw dog; and Turkey dog.
Pink’s also offers super hot dog specials most of which are named after celebrities or well known characters. These selections are charmingly displayed on individual sheets clipped up against the clear plastic divider above the counter. Nick ordered the Harry Potter Dog special, a Polish sausage with grilled onions and mushrooms, topped with bacon and nacho cheese. Other unique orders include the Martha Stewart Dog, a 10” Stretch dog with mustard, relish, onions, chopped tomatoes and sauerkraut, topped with bacon and sour cream; the Lord of the Rings Dog, a 10” Stretch dog with BBQ sauce and topped with onion rings; The Today Show Dog, two hot dogs in one bun with mustard, onions, chili, cheese and guacamole.
While Nick chowed down on his Harry Potter dog, I devoured a slightly simpler dog, the bacon chili cheese dog, generously topped with two strips of bacon, tomatoes, cheese, onions and chili.
When I took the first bite of my savory smelling bacon chili cheese dog, my mouth was greeted with a “snap”… literally. The quality that distinguishes Pink’s dogs from other dogs is its taught skin that pops and bursts in your mouth when you bite into it. I was a little surprised at first. I wasn’t quite sure what to think. To be frank, I initially suspected that there was something wrong with my hot dog. I asked Nick if his held the same manner as mine. He said he didn’t think so. Hmmm…
All in all I thought everything tasted fine. Nick seemed fairly content. Part of me however was expecting something a little more. I don’t know what it is though. I think I may have held greater expectations than I should have. For a hot dog stand that has been up and running successfully for 66 years, they are doing just fine… I can’t wait till my next visit. I’m going to order the Ozzy Osborne Dog, a spicy polish dog topped with nacho cheese, American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole and chopped tomatoes!!
food, hot dog, frankfurters, Los Angeles, CA, Tasting Journal
Hi there. I'm interested in indian cooking and would like to get some local help & advice. I've met some local people via this indian cooking site but do you know of any others where I can meet local people?
Many thanks