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Hot Dogs in Hollywood

Pink's in 1940: The early days.

Want to spot celebrities? Forget the studio tours! Take the kiddies to Pink's for a chance to mingle with the stars. While you are there, grab a great-tasting chilidog and an old-fashioned soda that will set you back all of two bucks and change.

Pink's is probably the most famous hot dog stand in the world. It's practically a museum of celebrity pictures and autographs, and don't be surprised if you turn around and see someone like Sandra Bullock or Kiefer Sutherland standing in line… just like everyone else. When visiting Los Angeles, you will know it by the long line wrapped around the small building near the corner of Melrose and La Brea. If you live in Los Angeles, you could probably drive there in your sleep.

Paul Pink started out selling his hot dogs from a large wheeled pushcart in 1939 and moved into the Pink's building in 1946. In a city where free parking is a fantasy, Pink's actually has their own parking lot with an attendant and, unbelievably, it's free to customers! Good food, when you want it, at a great price. No wonder it's crowded 24 hours a day. "Once we started playing parties and clubs in Hollywood, Pink's chili dogs became a part of my ritual" said David Lee Roth. Not all celebrities feel a sense of entitlement. At Pink's, everyone stands in line and pays.

Over the years, Pink's customers have literally rubbed shoulders with a Who's Who of Hollywood's elite such as Elizabeth Taylor, Barbra Streisand, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Leslie Ann Warren, James Earl Jones, Courtney Cox, Maria Shriver, Quincy Jones and Richard Simmons. Henry Winkler said while waiting "They are the best hot dogs in the West." John Malkovich orders the classic chili cheese dog; Mark Anthony and a cadre of fans once made the line wrap around the building twice. Richard Dreyfus brings his son, John Goodman, Matthew Perry, Jeff Goldblum and Lou Rauls visit from time to time and Eddie Murphy pulls up in a limousine. When Pink's celebrated their 59th anniversary, complete with the Pink Panther, news and radio station promotions, all attention suddenly turned to Billy Dee Williams. "What's going on?" asked the actor. "I just stopped in for a dog."

The Old Days
When Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin were still starving actors, they could get a hot dog for 15 cents. Merv Griffin remembers "I used to go to Pink's with Orson Welles." Orson Welles holds the all time record for eating the most chilidogs in one sitting -- 18!

Take Out and Delivery
"I don't like them too much," said Aaron Spelling, the producer of television shows including Melrose Place and Beverly Hills 90210, "we only order them three times a week."
Roseanne had them delivered to her studio audience.
Heather Kozar, 1999's Playmate of the Year orders chilidogs to go.
Diana Ross has the hot dogs shipped to her while performing in Las Vegas.
Bill Cosby has them delivered. It is one of his favorite places to eat.
Jason Alexander loves the Polish Dogs and has them shipped to his parents in Florida.
Dustin Hoffman said he orders 20 and eats 10 before he gets home. "Whenever I wrap a movie, I send out for Pink's" said Tom Hanks.

Hot dogging it: Vanna White is a big fan of Pink's.

On the Air
Jay Leno taped a skit for his late night talk show with Aerosmith to promote the Group's new CD, Pink.
When pregnant Vanna White had cravings for watermelon and Pink's hot dogs, Wheel of Fortune spared no expense and indulged her.

Fond Memories
Sean Penn proposed to Madonna at Pink's.
Ditto for Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.
Michael J. Fox would hang out at Pink's when he was broke and unknown. He referred to Pink's as "my office."