Pink's Hot Dogs

The chili dog is gross. I have wanted to try Pinks forever but line was always too long. Drove by last Saturday early & line was short so tried it. Really bad, sorry. Wished it lived up to the hype.

Pros: A LA landmark

Cons: Food, line

Posted 11/11/09

The excitement of eating a hot dog at a historic landmark, and a well talked about, and publicisized restaurant in LA, is always exciting. The food however, failed to deliver on its legacy of good food. Hot dogs are not that complicated to make, its a pretty simple set of ingredients, but who of thought that u could ruin something so simple, and charge large sums of money for a place thats earned so much press based on its legacy and location in the great city of LA. i have to say that i was genuinely dissapointed on the food, and prices of this place. My expectations were short lived. I can now say ive been there, and done that. This place will no longer be on my places to go. or must eat.

Pros: accurate service

Cons: im still thinking ....let me think on this one some more.

Posted 10/19/09

Great hotdogs!

Pros: Yummy!

Posted 09/21/09

Food is average at best and the line is very annoying...

Pros: Get too meet new people

Cons: Wait is too long

Posted 09/17/09

Had to try them out - was not disappointed, it was great. The chili cheese dog was so yummy. Not the healthiest of foods but hey I'm not expecting that at a hotdog restaurant :-)

Pros: Best tasting hotdog

Cons: finding parking

Posted 09/09/09

Great Hot Dogs with all the yummy toppings you could wish for. No nasty cheap Weinies here!!! Good stuff

Posted 08/18/09

here is good

Posted 08/05/09

The only thing that is "signature" for this place is a huge line!

Posted 08/03/09

This place rocks, they are so so so many styles hotdogs it put Nathans to shame

Pros: Amazing Variations

Cons: line

Posted 07/24/09

After hearing my whole life about Pinks, I decided, while on a trip memorial day 2009, to try. 11:30 AM long line. Ordered the Mayors dogs. Others ordered Chili Dogs and we ordered Chili Cheese fries. Costco has a better hot dog. Hormel has a better hot dog. ANYWHERE -Including the overpriced, left in a warming drawer in Disneyland Hot dogs - ARE BETTER. This places has to be the WORST place to get a hot dog anywhere.

Pros: None

Cons: Food totally and 100% S U C K S

Posted 06/12/09

Drive by the corner of La Brea and Melrose on your way to work...on your way home from work...on your way to the gym...and back...on your way to pick up that hot waitress you met last week that may or may not have given you syphilis (still waiting for the results)...whenever!! The point is, no matter when you drive by that historical intersection you are bound do see at least a hundred idiots waiting in a ridiculous line for PINKS HOTDOGS. I hate to admit it, but I was one of those idiots once. Waited 70 minutes.

I mean I would understand if Pink's was a new spot trying to get its s*** together, but Pink's will celebrate its 70th BIRTHDAY this year! 70 Years in the business and you're telling me that you can't figure out a more efficient way to keep the line moving at a friggin HOTDOG STAND? When Henry Ford started making B-24 Bombers at the height of WWII, his top assembly line was clocked at assembling a plane in ONE HOUR! Are you telling me that it took less time in 1943 to assemble an airplane than it does in 2009 to put a hotdog in a bun and pour some chili on it? I could drive to LAX, fly to JFK, grab a dog from Nathan's (Coney Island), fly back, and still see the same idiot standing in line as when I left. Figure it out Pink's. In the meantime, I sure hope I don't have syphilis.

wwwblankfromhellcom

Pros: hot dogs

Cons: waiting for hot dogs

Posted 05/04/09

If you're feeling nostalgic for New York dogs or Chicago dogs, or any other style dogs this is the place to go. You can also find one of the best chili dogs in town. The only thing about Pink's is that you can't go hungry or you'll starve. The lines are super long and will take about an hour or more to reach the front to order your food.

Pros: Best Hot dogs and chili burgers in town

Cons: Long line

Posted 04/15/09

They have incredible hot dogs, kind of feel guilty eating them afterwards but they are worth it. There is usually a line but it moves fast and it gives you time to chose from the numerous hot dog selections they have. If you have people from out of town you definitely have to bring them here, this place is a landmark.

Pros: Hot dogs, fries, and hot dogs

Cons: parking

Posted 01/15/09

Great hot dogs at Pinks! Be prepared with tums! I don't think anyone needs more than one hot dog. They have the most unique menu. I don't eat hot dogs at home, but I like to go all out at Pinks

Cons: long line

Posted 01/12/09

Well, I?ve lived in California for over 50 years and finally thought I would drop by an experience Pinks for the first time. As a self proclaimed aficionado master of dogs & chili, I knew that I must indulge in this well known eatery. My wife & I were in the area (The Stars Tour) this holiday period and dropped by a little before 1:00 pm, what did my wandering chili craving eyes see but a line stretching out as far as one could see. It appeared to be one of those lines (wrapped around the Matterhorn/Disneyland type) that would take at least 1 ? hours to navigate/endure/survive to the promised yummy culinary land of wieners. Since I?m semi-curmudgeonly, I did what any true card carrying member of AARP would do; I drove by without even batting an eye. I hope to try again before my 100th birthday.

P.S. It sure looked yummy from the street

Posted 12/30/08

I am a hot dog lover and I can't tell you how many people over the years told me to eat at Pink's. I finally did, and the disappointment on my face was visible from bite number 1. I believe that no one that told me to go to Pink's ever had the hotdog at Costco. Let's start now with the many problems at Pink's and to make it easy to read--I will sequentially number them: 1) Take out a dime from your pocket. Your Pink's hotdog will not be thicker than the diameter of your dime. It will disappear between the buns. You will wonder if there is a hotdog in your bun. 2) No worries if you burnt your taste buds the day before--the Pink's hotdog is tasteless. It is the most tasteless hotdog I have ever had in over 35 years of eating hotdogs all over the world, on streets, fairs, and deli?s. 3) Be prepared for a line at all times. The staff monitors the line and will slow down service, and sometimes walk away to make sure that there is always at least two lines in front of the shack so that it looks busy and desirable to everyone passing by or waiting. 4) There are magicians working at Pink's who have made real chili disappear and reappear as watered down, tasteless slop on your hotdog. I ordered Chili! on the dog and I have no idea what that brown watery stuff was. 5) The Pink's $5.00 commandment: There shall be no hotdog on the menu that shall sell for less than $5.00. The $5.00 hotdog without anything on it at the ballpark is way, way better my friends. 6) There is nothing fun, exciting or nostalgic about eating at this dump.

So, the next time someone tells YOU to go to Pink's, claiming that it is such a great hotdog, and they have recently been there--just do one thing: DO NOT trust anything that person ever tells you about food again!

Pros: If everything else is closed and you are right there and starving--go for it!

Cons: There is no reason to eat here. Its all bad and overpriced.

Posted 12/24/08

I have enjoyed hot dogs from all over the U.S. and realize that the hot dog is a fast food. I watched and listened to all the talk over Pink's hot dogs. My wife and I finally visited this establishment during the weekend of November 8th, my birthday. We waited for a while which was no big deal. The place had the feel and aroma of a cool "greasy spoon", but i never knew that i was going to eat my words. The items we ordered were smothered in a tasteless, greasy, gool. My wife took one bite of her hot dog and stopped eating. Both of us left with an awful taste in our mouths and sour stomachs as a reminder. Very disappointed.

Posted 12/01/08

Like so many other So Cal natives, my husband and I had to see what all the huff an puff was about this place. It is definitely worth checking out. Here's what I found:

*Polish sausage is better than the regular hot dog.

*The Pastrami Polish dog with swiss is probably their best dog (add mustard when you get it!) The pastrami is tender and not salty. Take small bites otherwise you will definitely bite off more than you can chew!

*My husband got the regular pastrami and swiss dog and he preferred the polish version.

*The chili dog was just OK- the chili really wasn't all that great, kind of bland, weinerschnitzel has better chili dogs. The 10 inch dog was very thin.

*The most fantastic onion rings I've ever had- perfect size and perfectly crunchy, not oily at all.

* Their ranch dressing is very thick as if they made it with lots of mayo. Still pretty good with the onion rings.

*They don't have fountain soda- its all canned and bottled. But that's okay they have a large variety.

* Very decent prices in general but expensive considering its for a hot dog. My polish pastrami was 5.80. But considering ball parks sell their plain hot dogs for around the same price or more- not bad at all!

*Clean restrooms but you need a key.

*LONG line- we waited about 1hr and 20 min. on an early saturday evening

* The area is pretty safe and on the verge of being a hip part of town judging by the boutiques shops.

*CASH ONLY

*The line does move pretty fast considering the hundreds of people.

*Tiny indoor seating area (like 4 or 5 tables), the rest is out door seating.

* Parking lot is usually full so you have to find parking elsewhere and walk

*Overall, I can see why people think its over rated. Just go with an open mind.

*Pleasant staff- just in a hurry, thats all!!

Pros: A place for all walks of life, inexpensive in general, cleanliness.

Cons: If you decide you love it and want more, you gotta get back in the ridiculously long line!

Posted 12/01/08

Eversince I heard about Pinks on the Food Network I dreamt about eating one of their famous hotdogs. The experience of being in line with all the other eager customers was fun; ordering was fun, but tasting the hot dog was the worst. I was so disappointed. The chili dog sauce was the worst I've ever tasted. It tasted like it was just a bunch of low quality, bland, oily gross chorizo. The wiener, I got the twelve inch, was tough and was so gross the taste actually made me and my husband gag. I couldn't eat even a quarter of it. Guess my dream dog was acutally a nightmare dog!

Posted 10/25/08

i went here just to say i went here. it tastes like any other hot dog. not great not bad, just a hotdog. whoooopdeeee

Pros: there was some good looking peoplein line when i went

Cons: hotdogs

Posted 09/30/08

I cannot believe this joint continues to win awards year after year. Next time you go, pay attention, they simply open a package of hot dogs and dump them into a steam table. The chili is mediocre and they have the most tasteless guac I have ever had. There are so many better places out there to get a decent hotdog.

Pros: Good fries, onion rings

Cons: Tasteless food.

Posted 09/22/08

I don't know where some of these reviewers are coming from...Pink's offers the most generous portions of ANY hot dog stand, the dogs are so fresh...what do you expect when they serve over 2,000 everyday and have to cook small batches due to their small kitchen. The dogs are 100% natural casing, no by-products just 100% BEEF, or they offer turkey dogs or veggie dogs. Best onion rings and fries EVER! Very low prices too...I know the lines are long, but there are times throughout the day when I go when there are very few people in line. If you go right at the lunch hour or right at dinner, what do you expect? PINK'S IS THE BEST!!!

Pros: EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS! GREAT PRICES AND PARKING VALET.

Cons: THE LINE...oh well, get to know your "neighbors" while standing in line.

Posted 09/10/08

Iv lived in Los angeles by whole life and I always pass by this place and the line is always long. So on Saturday night i wanted to see what the fuss was about!! My sister and I went and waited an hour and a half in line. We ordered everything because we had waited so long I wanted to try everything that looked good.

The food is nothing crazy. Tommys has better chili dogs. Their hot dogs are the same generic ones that every other place uses. I think cupids uses the same brand and I think tommys does too. The other specialty hot dogs were nothing crazy either I can make them at home.

The food is cheap though I give them that. If it wasn't a 2 hour wait I would go to the place again but definitely not worth the hype

Pros: Ok hot dogs

Cons: Not worth the wait or hype

Posted 08/31/08

I've lived here for almost 2 years and have always wanted to try it and finally my friends and I did last night. Waited for over and hour and thought the wait would be worth it, but we were all completely disappointed. Our dogs were not cooked and it touch to bite through and the it had NO flavor. Please don't waste your time standing in this ridiculously long line just to be disappointed.

Posted 08/09/08

The only thing I didn't like was the long wait in line. But if you go at night I always see hot girls in the vicinity. I always order the burrito pastrami dog, its incredible. Their onion rings gotta be the best I ever tasted. HIGH fat content food so unless you are very active or have a high metabolism this food is only meant to be eaten on occasion.
Also, I sent an email to Pink's complimenting their food and they mail me two $5 gift certificates with no expiration date

Pros: great cheap food

Cons: slow service

Posted 07/23/08

Worst chili dogs i've ever had! We figured since we were gonna wait in line for 1 1/2 hours might as well order everything we want to try. So we ordered 4 of their specialty dogs and 1 traditional chili dog (its what put them on the map....must be good, right?) Took one bite of each and threw the rest away, even the infamous chili dog. Was sick the rest of the day. Can only imagine if we would have eaten a whole dog...would have met the end for sure. Lesson learned, wont be returning. These people are making a killing...good for them.

Pros: people watching

Cons: everything else

Posted 07/21/08

I don't know what the folks that said they accept credit cards were smoking, but I guess that's why they should up at this LA staple for late night dining. I hadn't been to Pink's in years, but visited them again this past Saturday / Sunday morning at 2am to find the chili cheese dogs were still delicious, the lines still long, the crowd dressed for cubbing and recovering from a little too much to drink. Between the drunkards and the wild car accident down the street that I missed by seconds from being involved in myself, I can say the atmosphere was, errr, interesting?!?!?! So, why did I come back to Pink's after a decade and now slightly past my early twenties? My Virginian-born and raised GF who caught Tyra's recommendation on the tube. Hmmmmm ... I wonder if www.seenon has an affiliate link to Pink's web site (www.pinkshollywood )?

Pick's is worth a visit because it is one of LA's things to do. Kind of like cupcakes at Magnolia in Nueva York.

Pros: good cheap eats

Cons: the line and the crowd

Posted 06/14/08

I'd heard of Pink's for years, and decided to try them out a couple of weeks ago when we were in L.A. from San Diego. The wait in line (outside on the sidewalk) was long, but it didn't matter once we sat down to eat. The portions are huge and very reasonable. I had the signature chili cheese dog and a Martha Stewart (10-inch dog with relish, onions, bacon, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut and sour cream). My wife isn't the hot dog fiend that I am, but she really enjoyed her mild Polish dog. And the onion rings are fantastic - reminded me of White Castle's, if you know them. If you get the chance, go!

Pros: Incredible food, cheap

Cons: Long wait in line, the half-enclosed part of the seating area is a bit close to the noise of the street

Posted 06/10/08

Being a LA native, I've been going to Pinks since I was a teenager. Being a Baby Boomer and now health conscious, I eat here every couple of years. Plus the lines are usually too long to wait. But I got off work early and passing Pinks I saw about a 15 minute wait, so I decided to take advantage of it. As someone else said, the chili is not what it used to be. Not as flavorful. But the dog is still good. I had mine with kraut, which was flavorful. Got into a conversation with a gentleman from the O.C., who also around my age. We reminisced about the old Pinks. Today the burgers may be more tasty than the dogs, but if you have the time, because there's always a line, and don't have too many cholesterol problems, this is the place to go.

Pros: Tasty dogs and burgers.

Cons: Long lines. Little parking.

Posted 06/09/08

And yet another example that Hollywood people will eat anything.

Seriously, the food at Pinks was really low quality. I grew up in Montreal, lived in Toronto and have eaten the dogs off of many a NYC street corner. For those expecting a juicey Hot Dog, grilled or streamed, with some flavor, get ready for a taste-bud shocker instead. The hot dogs are rubberized at Pinks and bear no similarity to anything Shopsy's or any deli for that matter would serve up. I was shocked at the cheap meat used. Even in Montreal, La Fleurs (one of the cheapest meals you can have) has some great Hot Dogs. The bread was also dry.

Pinks is just another example on the decadent stupidity of our good friends in LA LA Land. The only people laughing are the mexicans who work here most of whom are probably in shock that these dum-asses keep eating the garbage they're serving up. A contemptuous experience at best. The only worse time I had over a 2 hour period was watching an Antonioni movie once.

Pros: I lived to tell the story

Cons: Everything except the realization that you are smarter than everyone in line

Posted 06/02/08

You know, it's kind of funny but at the same time a shame that so many people can gripe so harshly about the hot dogs at Pink's. First of all, let's ask ourselves one question, "what is a hot dog?", it 's not a fine piece of steak or a piece of prime rib, it's a hot dog! And like they say, we all know what hot dogs are made of. One person's review even said that it grossed them out when the dog popped when bitten. Little did they know that, believe it or not, this indicates that the hot dog was made with a natural casing and all of the better, custom made franks are like that. Let's face it, no matter how you compare, a place like Pink's serves up hot dogs made especially for them by Hoffy and they offer them to their customers with just about any variation of toppings and extras you would want on your hot dog. What more could you ask for in a hot dog? Why eat at Pink's instead of somewhere like Wienerschnitzel that is faster and cheaper? Because the fast food hot dog stands actually DO serve up the infamous mass produced garbage hot dogs, that actually are made of "you know what". Yes there is a wait when you go to Pink's but look at all the people that do stand in line and they do it because they know. Give it a try and experience a good hot dog with a little nostalgia thrown in. Unless you're a picky complainer and acutally do like hot dogs, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Posted 05/29/08

If you are expecting table cloths and special treatment you won't like "Pinks" however the Valet service was EXCEPTIONAL! Better Hot Dogs somewhere else? Maybe but it is a matter of taste, some people think Chicago Style Hot Dogs in Chicago are the greatest, But I wouldn't walk across the street for one, but I have and will stand in line for a "Pinks." The endless lines are a testiment to how good these dogs are. I am sure some people are put off by the lines. BUT OPEN UP enjoy the experience and meet new people while you are in line and ENJOY life! Who knows you might make a friend, but you have to get your nose out of the air. LOVE "PINKS"

Pros: Fun!

Cons: Limited Street Parking

Posted 05/12/08

Reviews raving about Pink's hotdogs were Hollywood hype. If the stars think these hot dogs are great, they haven't eaten very many hotdogs. These were awfullllllll!!!!!! They were sooo tough you could hardly bite into them. They were like leather. My son loves hot dogs and he couldn't choke these down I was extremely disappointed. I have eaten hot dogs from the street vendors in New York City, and at ball parks across the country, and any of them easily put Pink's hotdogs to shame.

Posted 04/04/08

I went to Pink's Hot Dogs since I love hot dogs and have heard a bunch of hype about Pink's. I figured the hot dogs must be good, and decided to wait in the long line... which ended up taking about 2 hours. Finally, we got some hot dogs, and I tried two different kinds, both of which were terrible. I'd honestly say below average. Seriously, the hot dogs at Costco and Home Depot are MUCH better, and I will NEVER eat at Pink's again.

Posted 03/27/08

One of my ex-boyfriends introduced me to this place! I love having the chili, bacon and onions hot dog, as well as the lord of the rings hot dog! There are also other good choices here. The line maybe long, but the food is worth it. I am also amazed at how well the staff can remember your order without writing it down!

Pros: Yummy hot dogs

Cons: The lines

Posted 03/25/08

Highly overrated. The dogs are good just stay away from the chili. Not worth standing in a long line.

Pros: Long Lines

Cons: Not that good

Posted 03/15/08

My first review. First off, if you want good hot dogs, don't come to Pink's. Now I know the nostalgia of Hollywood and what not may entice you, but don't fall for it. The hot dog itself is frozen, not fresh and extremely disgusting. Sorry.

Posted 03/09/08

These are for sure the best hot dogs in LA. If these is any place that you go in LA, this must be one of your stops. Dont expect fancy tables, or restaurant, but the how dogs are amazing. I go there everytime after a night of Partying since they are open late. They have so many choices, and all kinds of combination.

Pros: Great Hotdogs

Cons: Their is always a long wait.

Posted 02/25/08

Best time to go is around 10:00 on a sunday and you can beat the gnarley lines and get some famous and mighty tasty food to eat, I mean anyone who's anyone has eaten there and it's not exaclty the Ivy but its BETTER

Posted 02/20/08

Long line, long wait, bought two bacon chili dogs, ate one, worst hot dog I have ever eaten, threw the other away. The hot dog has some kind of thick skin, which might have been OK, but the chili made it hard to even get down. This can not be the hot dog and chili that made this place famous.....

Pros: Parking

Cons: everything else

Posted 02/17/08