Pink's Famous Chili Dogs

709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA - (323) 931-4223

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Posted By Michael Stern on 9/12/2008 12:15:00 PM

The must-eat item at Pink’s is a chili dog – a beautiful, all-beef tube steak in a taut natural casing that is nabbed in spongy bun and is then topped with mustard, raw onions, and a spill of dark, meaty chili. This configuration was originally created by founders Paul and Betty Pink back in 1939, when it cost a dime. Since they opened their hot dog stand in what was then the Hollywood countryside, an entire city has grown up around them; and Pink’s has become L.A. ‘s favorite dive.

It is so popular that the wait in line to place your order can seem interminable on a pleasant evening, but once you get to the head of the line, service is lightning fast – about a minute until you receive your tray of food. There are a few indoor seats around back as well as an outdoor patio, but favored dining spots also include the adjoining sidewalk, your car parked in the red zone on La Brea, or strolling along Melrose Avenue.

Beyond chili-topped hot dogs, Pink’s menu lists lesser-known breeds of pup worth eating, too: the Guadalajara dog, topped with sour cream; cheese dogs; dogs wrapped in tortillas; pastrami Reuben dogs, foot-long jalapeno dogs, extra-large Polish dogs, even a Martha Stewart dog, which is a 10-incher topped with mustard, relish, onions, bacon, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut and sour cream. (Why that combination adds up to Martha Stewart, we cannot say.) There are even hamburgers; Roadfood tipster Larry said that he actually prefers the hamburgers to the hot dogs, and “the onion rings are to die for.”

Scorecard

Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace

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"Four fine dogs, ready to eat. The extra plump one is a Polish."
Michael Stern

"The hot dog was actually pretty small and I guess I mean that in relation to the bun. There was a good amount of coleslaw and it tasted good but it all overshadowed the actual hot dog, which I would imagine would be the most important component. The taste was good but underwhelming considering all the hype."
Samuel Shor

"A whole heaping tray full of chili cheese dogs. I should have ordered one (or a whole platter's worth) of these."
Samuel Shor

"We didn't care for the canned mushrooms on the mushroom Swiss dog or the combination of toppings. However, with the soft bun, fresh onions, and tangy chili, we loved our chili dog."
Cliff Strutz

"After a morning tour of Paramount Studios we lined up at Pink's for lunch. We shared a 10-inch dog with chili, Chicago Polish dog (spicy) and a specialty Gustavo Dumandel, a 10-inch with fajitas-stuffing and guacamole topping."
Vince Marano

"Arriving late on a Sunday, we didn't have to deal with the usual long lines. Plus, Pink's looks great at night!"
Cliff Strutz

"A comfortable retreat from the urban bustle, hidden behind Pink's."
Donald Thompson

"What a great place for a wonderful hot dog..."
Dick Wright

"Relatively speaking, this is a small crowd of people waiting to place their order. Pink's has attained legendary status among street-food connoisseurs, who mob it from mid-morning until after midnight."
Michael Stern