87 Years of Hot Dogs, Hollywood Stars, and History: Inside Pink’s Birthday Celebration
On Sunday, November 8, 2026, the iconic Pink’s Hot Dogs on La Brea Avenue celebrated its 87th anniversary with an evening filled with Hollywood history, delicious food, charitable giving, and a special appearance by comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias. The family-owned establishment marked the milestone with its annual Chili Dogs for Charity celebration, bringing together longtime supporters and hot dog lovers to honor nearly nine decades of serving Los Angeles.
To celebrate its 87th birthday, Pink’s brought back a fan-favorite tradition, offering its famous chili dogs for just 87 cents for 87 minutes, beginning at 8 p.m. Customers could purchase up to two discounted chili dogs, with 100% of the promotion's gross proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Round of Appaws, an organization dedicated to animal welfare. It was a celebration that went beyond affordable food, reflecting the Pink family's longstanding commitment to giving back.
Adding some Hollywood star power to the festivities was comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, who returned for his third consecutive year celebrating with Pink’s. Known for his larger-than-life personality and love of food, Iglesias participated in the anniversary festivities, which included an opportunity for fans to meet the comedian. The occasion also marked the introduction of a brand-new permanent menu item created in his honor: the Fluffy Bacon Burrito Dog. Priced at $12.95, the creation features two hot dogs wrapped in a flour tortilla with cheddar cheese, three slices of bacon, and Pink’s signature chili, with optional onions. It's a combination as bold as the comedian himself.
But behind the celebrity appearances and mouthwatering creations is a remarkable family story. Pink’s began in 1939 when Paul and Betty Pink purchased a small pushcart using $50 borrowed from Betty's mother. At the time, hot dogs cost just 10 cents, and the couple rented the land for $15 a month. Through determination and hard work, their modest operation eventually grew into a Hollywood institution that has welcomed generations of customers, tourists, and entertainment industry legends.
Here's a fun fact: Pink’s famous celebrity photo wall originally gave aspiring actors a place to display their photographs in hopes of being discovered by producers and directors who visited the restaurant. Today, the walls feature more than 200 celebrity photographs, turning the dining room into a tribute to Hollywood's entertainment history. Now operated by the next generation of the Pink family, including Richard Pink, his wife Gloria, and his sister Beverly, the business continues to preserve the traditions that made it a Los Angeles favorite while finding new ways to connect with its community. Its history has become so intertwined with Hollywood that the intersection of La Brea and Melrose is officially known as Pink’s Square.
After 87 years, Pink’s Hot Dogs remains more than just a place to grab a bite. It's a reminder that some of Hollywood's greatest success stories don't begin on a movie set or a red carpet. Sometimes, they begin with a family, a dream, and a hot dog cart on the side of the road.
And if the past 87 years are any indication, this Hollywood legend still has plenty of stories left to serve.
