During the sunny
days of summer
hot dogs are
considered must
have cuisine, an
all American red
white and blue
favorite. In LA,
that American
favorite is
Pinks,
perhaps the most
famous hot dog
stand in the US
of A. The snap
of a Pinks
hotdog is the
sound of
delicious, and
once heard,
never forgotten
- once tasted,
always craved.
These specially
made all beef
slim Hoffy hot
dogs really are
the stuff of LA
legend; the long
lines, the hype,
the movie star
clientele - the
letters that
people write
extolling their
tasty virtue are
all evidence of
the love affair
Angelino's have
with this chili
dog.
The famed meaty
chili is truly
at the heart of
Pinks, an old
family recipe of
Betty Pinks
herself, but the
menu has
expanded through
the years and
now includes
over 25 ways to
dress your dog.
You can add
cheese, bacon,
tomato,
sauerkraut, and
that is just for
starters. Go
Guadalajara
style with
relish and sour
cream. There is
the Chicago dog,
the Polish dog,
one from New
York City with
spicy red
onions; a
Pastrami Rueben
dog and a giant
Jalapeno dog
that will leave
you barking.
There are super
special hot dogs
named after the
celebrities that
created and eat
them, with
Martha Stewart's
and Rosie
O'Donnell's both
in the top ten
of the most
ordered. However
you crown a
Pinks hot dog be
sure to wash it
down with some
old style soda
pop like Orange
or Grape Crush,
maybe even a
Bubble-Up,
because they've
got them all.
Pinks has always
been affordable
and that has not
changed. A stop
here will not
set your wallet
back much - but
your time? That
is another
story. Just this
past weekend the
wait was an hour
and a half, so
bring you
appetite and
your patience.
You will
undoubtedly make
a few friends as
you figure out
just which yummy
combination will
grace your bun.
Is it worth the
wait? If you've
been, you know
the answer. If
not, take a
stand in line
and decide for
yourself, but
really, why else
are all those
people out there
at all hours of
the day and
night? Pinks,
for 70 years and
counting, the
dog LA loves to
bite.
~ Fallon Milligan
Where:
Pinks Hot Dogs, 709 N La
Brea Ave at Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles
When:
Sun - Thurs 9:30am to 2:00am; Fri - Sat
9:30am to 3:00am
Cost:
Dogs range from $3.30 to $7.15 - Sides,
Desserts & Drinks $3.40 and less
