Pink’s Hot Dogs

Pink's began in 1939, when Betty and Paul Pink started selling hot dogs from a cart on La Brea Avenue. The business grew into the low-slung stand that still stands at the corner of La Brea and Melrose, and it has been run by the family ever since. Its walls are lined with signed photographs of famous customers, and the late hours have made it a fixture for night owls in Hollywood.

The menu revolves around hot dogs and sausages, many of them named after celebrities or films, along with chilli dogs, burgers and fries. The chilli dog, with onions and mustard, is the classic order and the one most people come for. Specials appear from time to time, so look at the board as you queue. Toppings are generous, so napkins are essential.

The stand opens at 9.30am daily and stays open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am on Friday and Saturday. That makes it a useful late-night option after a show or a night out in Hollywood. Queues can stretch along the pavement on weekend evenings, but they move steadily.

It suits budget travellers, families and anyone curious about a Los Angeles institution. Prices are low for the area, and the setting is casual, with seating inside and out. It is not a place for a long meal; most people eat and move on within half an hour.

Parking is free in Pink's own lot, with metered spaces on the surrounding streets. Pink's also offers catering for large groups and sells merchandise online, and its hot dog kits are available for delivery across the United States through Goldbelly. Pink's has appeared in films and television over the years and is a popular stop on celebrity sightseeing tours, which explains the steady stream of visitors photographing the sign. The counter staff move quickly, so decide on your order while you queue; the menu board is large and easy to read. If you want to avoid the busiest times, come in the late morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday, when you can often walk straight up to the counter.

The stand is in a central spot. Melrose Avenue's shops run east and west from the corner, the Original Farmers Market and The Grove are a short drive south, and Hollywood Boulevard is a few minutes north. Combining a Pink's stop with shopping on Melrose is an easy afternoon plan.