Pink’s Hot Dogs on La Brea Avenue has stayed true to its roots since 1939, which is one of the reasons it’s a favorite destination for people craving tasty chili and delicious hot dogs. Visitors often make it a first stop when they arrive in Los Angeles, and the summer is no exception. Richard Pink, son of the stand’s legendary founders, Paul and Betty Pink, said visitors and residents flock to Pink’s in July for National Hot Dog Month.

The bacon cheddar cheese dog is a fan favorite at Pink's. (photo courtesy of Pink's Hot Dogs)

“It’s America’s favorite food,” Pink said. “We have so many tourists coming to Los Angeles, and they want to visit all the destinations, including Pink’s. There is a tremendous surge in interest in hot dogs, and that’s why July is so special for Pink’s.”

Pink said Los Angeles leads the nation in the consumption of hot dogs, a fact that is confirmed by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Approximately 39 million hot dogs are consumed annually in Los Angeles. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans typically consume seven billion hot dogs, according to the council.

Pink said the popularity of the stand is based on its history and the customer experience, as well as exposure via movies and television shows. Pink’s was recently shown as part of a segment in the film, “Entourage”, and he expects tourists who are visiting locations in the film to flock to Pink’s this summer. He added that the Food Network routinely shows programs on hot dogs and hot dog stands such as Pink’s during summer, and he expects it to drive customers’ insatiable appetite for hot dogs.

Pink said the stand is planning to make a “generous monetary donation” to the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX as part of National Hot Dog Day on July 23. The exact details are still being worked out. The Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX provides services for military members and their families.

Pink added that during National Hot Dog Month, the Pink’s Hot Dogs’ America the Beautiful hot dog is very popular. It’s made with a 12-inch jalapeño sausage topped with pastrami, bacon, lettuce and chopped tomato.

“It’s a huge sausage, one of the biggest you’ve ever seen,” Pink said. “Everybody loves it.”

Pink operates the stand with his wife, Gloria, and sister Beverly Pink. He added that the family environment is one of the hallmarks of Pink’s Hot Dogs, where guests are greeted and served by familiar employees, many of whom have worked at the hot dog stand for decades. Pink’s offers 35 different types of hot dogs and a dozen different hamburgers, and routinely creates new varieties to tempt hot dog lovers’ tastes.

Pink invited everyone to partake in the fun at Pink’s Hot Dogs this summer. As faithful customers can attest, summer is one of the best times to enjoy a unique L.A. tradition that can only be experienced at Pink’s Hot Dogs.