Get Yer 80-cent Hot Dogs! ‘Pink’s’ Celebrates 80 Years by Giving Back to the Community and to Charity

Chili Dogs for Charity at Pink’s. Photo by Billy Bennight.

Pink’s Hot Dogs stand, which opened in 1939, is celebrating its 80th year on the corner of   La Brea and Melrose with Chili Dogs for Charity. the LA icon will be selling chili dogs for 80 cents for 80 minutes for 8 days starting at 8 p.m. Tonight is the 4th night, so you have until Friday night to get your grub on. The limit per customer is eight chili dogs, naturally.

Gloria and Richard Pink of Pink’s Hot Dogs. Photo by Elise Thompson.

Our own Billy Bennight went to check it out on Saturday night and had a nice chat with Richard and Gloria Pink, two of our favorite Angelenos. We aren’t surprised that the Pink family is fundraising for charity, because we see them at all of the benefits we cover, from The Special Olympics to the LA Zoo to Alex’s Lemonade. Not only do they donate hot dogs, but they show up in person and are always cheerful and friendly. Besides the Pink family, a variety of local celebrities will be on hand to greet you each night, including members of the Dodgers, the LAFC soccer team, and the Rose Queen and her court. Tonight, Monday night, November 11, 2019, George Lopez will be there.

Richard’s parents, Paul and Betty Pink, founded Pink’s in 1939 with just a pushcart, paying $15 a month rent. Hot dogs were 10 cents and cokes were a nickel. Today, Pink’s sells over 1,500 hot dogs a day and is famous for its 40 different hot dog combinations on the menu. The LA Beat spoke with Richard and Gloria Pink ten years ago and asked them for the secret. Richard says it’s the snap, and their homemade chili. They are also known as a late-night gathering place. Richard says, “If you want a party, come to Pink’s between midnight and 3 am.”

What are their favorite hot dogs? Richard is partial to the mushroom dog and Gloria likes the chili bacon. I think I’m with her. One of these days I just might beat the record of eighteen hot dogs consumed in one sitting—a record held by the late Orson Welles.

Chili Dogs for Charity at Pink’s. Photo by Billy Bennight.