Pink’s Hot Dogs: A Home Spun and Family Run Hollywood Icon

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Driving down La Brea in Hollywood and you might spy a long, snaking line by some vibrant pink murals of hot dogs, if you’re wondering what everyone’s in line for, the murals and the color are exactly it! Pink’s Hot Dogs, and these dogs are a real Hollywood icon, serving movie stars, humble locals, and tourists for over 80 years.

A view of Pick's from across the street.

A mural of a hot dog and bottle of mustard walking together is painted on a pink wall, in letters across the top it reads "Pink's" and below reads "Hollywood, California Since 1939"

Close-up of the backlit plastic sign on the roof that features a large hot dog and reads "Made Special for Pinls" and below another sign reading "Hoffy" in front is a small neon sign reading "Hot Dogs"

Myself standing in front of a large pink wall that features a burst of yellow and inside it reads "Pink's Since 1939" in red letters.

In 1939, amid the Great Depression Paul and Betty Pink decided to start selling hot dogs after spying a cart for sale in the newspaper. With a $50 loan from Betty’s mother, and Betty’s secret chili recipe, Paul sold chili dogs from the small cart on a vacant lot the couple leased. However when their rent was raised from $15 to $25 a month, a large increase in 1941, they decided to see if they could buy the property. With a loan, this time from the bank, Paul and Betty were able to purchase the property. Still selling from a cart, they scrimped and saved until 1946 when Betty’s cousin, who was trying to make a name for himself in construction, built them a small stand, the very one visitors flock to today.

Due to the location’s proximity to studios and other Hollywood hot spots, it wasn’t long before Pink’s became a place to spy celebrities. Inspired by its status as a Hollywood destination for celebrities, they have now lined their walls with celebrity photographs and autographs, plus they’ve teamed up with various celebrities who have their very own dogs named after them.

So beloved are these dogs, that Aretha Franklin had some of the tasty bites flown to her home in Detroit for a Christmas party. Orson Welles loved Pink’s so much that he ate 18 of the iconic chili dogs in one sitting.

In 1985 Paul and Betty retired, leaving the stand in the hands of their two children, Richard and Beverly, as well as Richard’s wife, Gloria, all of whom run the stand today, with help of some 30 employees who crank out over 1,000 dogs from the 40 different options, plus the 12 different burger offerings.

Overall view of Pink's. The large backlit plastic sign of a hot dog reads "Made Special for Pink's" with another backlit plastic sign below reading "Hoffy." Under an awning people line up to enter a small doorway to order. The side of the building feature a red and white stripe awning and lots of signs reading "Bacon Burger, Polish Dogs, Burgers, Kraut Dogs, Chili Dogs, Pink's Since 1939"

A look at the menu, featuring images of various hot dogs and burgers, with names such as "Brando Dog, Bacon Burrito Dog," and "Carl Reiner Dog"

Painted foot prints of bare feet, monsters, and shoes, guide hunger visitors in line.

Myself standing in front of a large pink wall that features a burst of yellow and inside it reads "Pink's Since 1939" in red letters.

A pink fabric banner hangs off the front awning and in bold white letters it reads "Pink's Celebrates 84 Years"

A mural reads "Hollywood Home of Legends Pink's A Hollywood Legend since 1939" and features the logo designs for Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros.

Side of the building is painted pink and features many signs reading "Bacon Burger, Polish Dogs, Burgers, Kraut Dogs, Chili Dogs, Pink's Since 1939"

A large yellow plastic sign in the shape of California reads "Huell Dawg Double Chili Cheese Dog 2 Hot Dogs in 1 Bun, Mustard, Chili, Cheese, and onions Huell Howser Favorite"

A wall is painted pink with a large mural of a hot dog with mustard and relish on it, above in bold red letters reads "Pink's"

Autographed photo of Steve Martin reads "To Pink's Best Wishes Steve Martin"

Myself, wearing a pink shirt with a psychedelic pattern in front of a wall with a mural of photographers.

Men's restroom sign features a hot dog with a top hat, bowtie, and can holding a large red "M"

Autographed photos of Dolly Parton and Nicole Kidman. Dolly wears a pink outfit and it reads "To Pink's I will always love you Dolly Parton" and Kidman's reads "To Pink's Thanks Nicole Kidman"

Myself, wearing a pink shirt with a psychedelic pattern in front of a wall with a mural of photographers.

A view of our food, onion rings, french fries, a chili cheese dog and a pastrami dog.

A large statue of a hot dog give himself some ketchup, behind him the wall is lined with photos of celebrities.

Myself digging in.

Sign for the women's restroom features a hot dog in a pink dress and blonde hair holding a large red letter "W"

Close-up of a beaded purse of a hot dog that reads "Pink's" and my belt buckle that reads "5 cents Insert Coin Unzip Shake Well Guaranteed Action Internal Use Only"

A window is painted with various food items and reads "Pink's A Hollywood Legend Since 1939"

Myself standing in front of a large pink wall that features a burst of yellow and inside it reads "Pink's Since 1939" in red letters.

Bite into a Hollywood legend at Pink’s Hot Dogs, located at 709 N. La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles. For more information, including more celebrity photos and even how to order online, visit their website!

What’s Nearby?

El Coyote

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Sources
“About Pink’s” Pinks.
Folven, Edwin. “Tickled ‘pink’ about being part of L.A.’s history.” Beverly Press Park Labrea News, 24 September 2021.
Furdyk, Brent. “The Untold Truth Of Pink’s Hot Dogs.” mashed, 17 November 2020.
“Richard Pink shares the incredible history of the iconic Pink’s Hot Dogs.” Spectrum News 1, 21 August 2023.

Outfit
Blouse: Orange Circle Antique Mall, Orange, California
Jeans: Lee
Belt Buckle: The Old Barn Antique Mall, San Juan Capistrano, California
Shoes: Nike
Purse: Pink’s

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