About Pink’s

Historical and modern day photo collage of Pink's Hot Dogs and it's founders, Betty and Paul Pink

Pink’s Hot Dogs, Inc., a Hollywood landmark since 1939, this hot dog stand serves over 2000 hot dogs and 200 hamburgers a day. Pink’s was started in 1939 by Richard’s parents, Paul and Betty Pink, with a pushcart they purchased for $50, which money they borrowed from Betty’s mother. The land on which the pushcart stood was leased by Paul and Betty for $15 per month. Hot dogs at that time were 10 cents and cokes were a nickel. Pink’s offered curb service, and was lucky to sell 100 hot dogs a day.

In 1941, the landlord raised their rent from $15 to $25 per month, a 67% increase, and Paul and Betty were forced to either give up or find a way to acquire the property. Paul and Betty, with little collateral but lots of conviction in the potential success of their hot dog stand, convinced Bank of America to loan them $4,000 to purchase the land, which fortunately the landlord was willing to sell. They added a cover to the pushcart, allowing them to also grill hamburgers, and it remained until 1946. The menu was simple: A chili dog and a hamburger. The price of the hot dog in 1946 was 25 cents.

At that time, Paul and Betty scraped together enough savings to build the small hot dog stand building that sits near the corner of La Brea and Melrose today. The location included parking for about 25 cars and eventually the indoor and patio seating expanded to accommodate 80 customers.

Paul & Betty also were raising two children, Beverly and Richard. In order to afford living expenses, it was necessary for Paul and Betty to find another source of income so they opened in 1958 a flower store next door to Pink’s Hot Dog stand. The flower store thrived for 10 years due to the talent of Betty in the design of flower arrangements, which she learned working part time for her brother, a florist, while she was also running Pink’s with Paul.

Paul and Betty operated the hot dog stand, starting with 4 employees and expanding over time to 10 and 20 and now Pink’s has a staff of about 30 employees. In 1985 at the age of 73 and 75, Paul and Betty retired. At that point, Richard, his wife, Gloria, and sister, Beverly, took over the operation of Pink’s. Since that time, the family has created over 40 combinations of hot dogs and a dozen varieties of hamburgers to satisfy the variety of tastes of its patrons. Pink’s, located near major Hollywood studios like Paramount, Universal and Disney started to attract upcoming and established movie and TV stars. Pink’s celebrity wall of fame in the dining room started as a place for aspiring actors to hang their photos to be discovered by producers and directors who were known to dine at Pink’s. Today, Pink’s dining room is filled with over 200 photos of celebrities with signed endorsements of their enjoyment of Pinks Hot Dogs.

Due to Pink’s unique menu, its historic age for an LA restaurant (83 years) and its celebrity patrons, it has now been featured in movies, TV shows, the food channel, the travel channel and travel books. As the Pink’s name grew, large restaurant operators came to the family wanting to license the Pink’s name and products in various amusement parks, hotels, arenas and county fairs. Pink’s now has 8 locations including the Original at 709 N. La Brea (Hollywood), Universal CityWalk (Hollywood), Raging Waters (San Dimas), Los Angeles and Orange County Fairs, Wisconsin, Oahu, and the Philippines. Pink’s also has an active catering business.

Pinks attributes its longevity and its success to the tastiness of its hot dogs, which snap when you bite into them, its never ending hot dog menu combinations, its loyal long-term staff of over 24, many of whom have been with Pink’s for over ten years, its unique 1946 open kitchen curb side stand and relaxed dining room and patio seating, its Hollywood location and atmosphere, its appearances nationwide in movies and TV and its commitment to the community through its chili dogs for charity program. Pink’s is often referred to as “A Hollywood Legend Since 1939” but the Pink family likes to say “We are the little hot dog stand that could.”

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Articles About Pinks

Visit California
Drew Barrymore Shares Her Favorite Things to Do in California

Los Angeles Times
L.A.’s most iconic spots (#3)

Los Angeles Times
Hot dog! M Missoni stages a fashion show in Pink’s parking lot

New York Times
A Tour of Movieland With the Women of Rodarte

The Daily Meal
LA’s Pink’s: The Ultimate Hot Dog Stand

FoxNews
#1 hot dog stand to celebrate National Hot Dog Day

Los Angeles Times
Pink’s Hot Dogs LA Intersection to Be Named ‘Pink’s Square’

Beverly Press
Pink’s named best in California by People Magazine

Gayot
2018 Best Hot Dogs in the U.S.

Food & Wine
America’s Best Hot Dogs

Los Angeles Time
At Pink’s hot dog stand in Hollywood, keeping it in the family

Chron
Free Good Dogs thanks to LA’s Pink’s Hot Dogs losing World Series bet

Thrillist
10 mindblowing things you didn’t know about Pink’s

Honolulu
Now You Can Relish the Hollywood Favorite Pink’s Hot Dogs at Sea Life Park

Pink’s featured in Greg LaVoi’s book
Barbie Loves L.A.: America’s Favorite Doll Sees the Sights

Fun @ Pink's

  • Yelp Review

    I always love coming to Pink’s whether there’s a line or not. It’s the first thing I think of when I come to LA.

    — Liz B.

  • TripAdvisor Review

    The food lived up to it’s massive reputation. By far the best hot dog I’ve ever tasted.

    — Charlie J.

  • Yelp Review

    So many greats options here! I’ve never been big on hot dogs but after trying pinks I am dying to go back!

    — Selena Z.

  • Google Review

    The hot dogs here are absolutely amazing. Best I’ve ever had… I definitely recommend coming here for a bite.

    — Aaron S.

  • TripAdvisor Review

    Pink’s Hot Dogs are big, massive and satisfying, like an entire meal, and there is parking on site to!

    — Gonen

  • Google Review

    Best sausages and hot dogs in L.A. A must visit for anyone and everyone.

    — Fernando R.

  • Google Review

    Pink’s Hot Dogs served us one of the best meals we have ever had. This is clever cooking of the highest order.

    — Alishia S.

  • TripAdvisor Review

    It’s nostalgic and delicious. The staff are friendly, and there always seems to be a place to sit down and to park.

    — OYMT

  • Yelp Review

    A must have every visit to LA. I always have the Guadalajara dog, it’s so yummy. There’s a reason this place has been in business for so long!

    — Carol S.