Pinks Hot Dog Stand, Los Angeles

Pink's restaurant sells because they have a set-up near the sidewalk and when cars drive by, they always see a line. If people had to go inside to order, there wouldn't be any lines nor any business. Sloppy hot-dogs floating in grease. It's an old circus trick, let people think they are good dogs since there is always a line. And they have had a lot of publicity for a not so good hot-dog. Smart owners for sure.

Favorite Dish: Only ate there once to see what it was all about.

Pink's Hot Dog stand is a Hollywood institution. It's a buzzing, busy place! Celebrating it's 70th birthday this year, this little stand has been in the same spot since 1939. I had it in my mind to stop at Pink's on this visit to LA. The line can sometimes be a staggering hours long wait! Okay, let's put this into perspective. I LOVE hot dogs, but I don't think Pink's hot dogs are worth waiting 2 hours for, although I will admit it was good. When I went the line was a respectable 10 minutes long. Had it been much longer, I would not have waited.

The hot dogs are reasonably priced (basic dog is about $3). They offer several different kinds and some messy, unusual ones like chilli cheese dogs, the Guadalajara dog (relish, onions & and tomatoes, topped w/sour cream), and the bacon burrito dog (big flour tortilla wrapped around 2 hot dogs, 2 slices of cheese, 3 slices of bacon, chili & onions). There are also celebrity named hot dogs: Rosie O'Donnell Long Island Hot Dog, Today Show Dog, Lord of the Rings Dog, etc. For those who are not fans of hot dogs, they serve hamburgers and chicken as well. The french fries looked very good. There are lots of side orders too.

There are some tables inside or you can take your dog to go. If you're in the area and the line's not too long, stop in and see what all the fuss is about.

Hours Sun-Thurs 9:30am-2am; Fri-Sat 9:30am-3am

Pink's isn't your usual guidebook recommendation. Name another hot dog stand that has its own valet parking.... Only in LA.

This L.A. icon grew around the late Paul and Betty Pink, who opened for business in 1939 selling 10¢ wieners from a used hot dog cart. Now 2,000 of them are served every day on Pink's soft steamed rolls. There are 24 varieties of dogs available, many of them coined by the celebrities who order them. Martha Stewart once stopped her caravan to order a 10-incher with mustard, relish, onions, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut, bacon, and sour cream, and now you too can order a "Martha Stewart" dog. The heartburn-inducing chili dogs (made from Betty's chili formula that's still a secret) are craved by even the most upstanding, health-conscious Angelenos.

There's lots of folklore emanating from this hot dog stand as well. Bruce Willis reportedly proposed to Demi Moore in the parking lot, and Orson Welles holds the record for the most hot dogs consumed in one sitting at 18. Even though the dogs are churned out every 30 seconds, expect to wait in line even at midnight -- you'll invariably meet a true crossroads of Los Angeles cultures.

Cash Only.

Pink's is a Los Angeles legend.

I think it's a scam.

Whoever would wait in an hour-length line for a hot dog, gets what they deserve.

Frankly, it's just a very trendy thing to do...to get a Pink's dog...and then brag about it to all your friends, afterwards, and regale them with a tale of your wait and woe, and how, ultimately, it was worth it.

Oh really? Was it REALLY worth it?

Favorite Dish: I did the Pink thing way back in the day...don't even eat red meat, but figured I had to see what all the fuss is about.

The Emperor has no clothes, my friends.

Pinks is one of the best Hot Dogs in LA, right up there with Tommy's. Pinks is definately the most famous dog stand in SoCal, perhaps in America. There will be at least a 30 minutes wait at all times, sometimes up to an hour on busier days. The line actually wraps around the building and through the rear lot.

Favorite Dish: Eat Pinks to say you did it, especially after a long night clubbing for that great, greasy dog! If you drive down LaBrea and ever see a short wait, you should stop in and enjoy your lucky find! The dogs are THAT awesome!

The line is daunting but well worth the wait. Every possible combination of ingrediants make up these stellar dogs. Friendly cashier people make up for the wait, and there is a reason for the wait! Fantastic quality dogs. Mostly at night you see drunk clubgoers in search of food. Daytimes consist of everyone, from little old ladies to business men.

Favorite Dish: Polish Bacon Burrito Dog. They have to wrap it in a tortilla its so big and its filled with Smoky bacon, flavorful polish sausage and cheese. Amazing!!!

Get ready for long lines day and night as well as get ready with some cash before you go! There are many autographs of Hollywood stars who ate there and I personally like to sit inside than outside because there are so many autographs surrounding me.

Favorite Dish: I went there twice and tried the Stretch 10 inch dog, Planet Hollywood dog, Chili Cheese and Chili hot dog. I enjoyed them all but the Planet Hollywood dog did not come out to be as good as it can be. The Polish dog is good too but I love the Chili and the Stretch 10 inch dog the most.
Make sure you try the Onion Rings, they are great.

While I have not personally ever had Pink's Hot Dogs, I know people who swear by them, and friends who will wait over an hour just for their hot dogs! On La Brea and Melrose, this fixture is incredibly famous, and you will see incredibly long lines waiting for a hot dog at Pink's. For tourists, this seems to be one of the ultimate Hollywood experiences.

Pinks is a Hollywood institution. Anytime, day or night, you will find a line for this place. We stood for an hour waiting, but it was well worth the wait. Everything is fresh and the girls there work hard. You can eat outside and there is free parking. We chose to park on the street and cross, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing that. Many stars on the wall....wish one would have been in the line. We did meet a fellow Miata owner though (from my hometown at that!) and he gave us some tips of things to do, so being in the line wasn't all that bad. Very reasonable pricewise.

Favorite Dish: The Martha Stewart Dogs rocked! Try the onion rings as well!

This place looks like a hole-in-the-wall type place, but damn... the hot dogs are amazing! Its probably the most famous hot dog restaurant in the whole Los Angeles area... its not a five star place or anything, yet its always mentioned in guide books.

Of course, because of its popularity, waiting to be served can be quite long. The restaurant isn't that big either, so finding a table an be difficult. The restaurant stays open late as well.

Its one of those restaurants that apparently gets a lot of celebrities cos the walls are filled with autograph pics. Yet, when you go there, you never see anyone famous...

Favorite Dish: Chilidogs are the best!