New York has the Statue of Liberty; India, the Taj Mahal; and L.A., well, we have Pink's. Though perhaps not as picturesque on a postcard, you can't really say you've been to Hollywood without downing at least one of the world's most sublime hot dogs. Wait in the inevitably long, celeb-spotted line; top your dog with a heaping spoonful of irresistible chili (it's an L.A. thing – see Original Tommy's for reference), and bite into a true and lasting piece of Americana. Something about the way the soft yet stable bun works to unite the all-beef Hoffy frank and the belly-warming comfort of the secret-recipe chili is a beautiful thing. On second thought, perhaps it would make a fine postcard, after all. No alcohol available. Serving during breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night hours daily.
Where the Locals Eat rating
Best Hot Dogs
Top 100 Restaurant, Los Angeles
"If you haven't had a hot dog at Pink's, you haven't been to L.A."
—Condé Nast Traveler
"There's always a crowd waiting for red-hot nirvana served, steaming, for pennies."
—Los Angeles magazine
"The standard, all-beef Hoffy dogs are a perfect collaboration of tastes and soul-comforting grease."
—Los Angeles Times
"The bun is soft enough to achieve a oneness with the thick chili that is ladled over the dog, but firm enough to resist dissolving altogether, unless you order it with sauerkraut. And why wouldn't you?"
—Los Angeles Weekly
"Pray that greedy developers spare this little nugget of Americana."
—Frommer's
How others rate Pink's
Zagat 2009
19 food rating (good to very good)
Frommer's
* (highly recommended)