the dish BY JEN KARETNICK
HAUTE DOGS THE NEW TOP DOG PAINTS THE TOWN PINK
FROM BEING THROWN ACROSS THE KITCHEN BY WILLFUL TODDLERS TO BEING SCARFED DOWN BY CHAMPION COMPETITORS, THE HOT DOG—THE RODNEY DANGERFIELD OF DISHES—GETS NO RESPECT. OR AT LEAST IT DIDN’T UNTIL PINK’S HOT DOGS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.
Open at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino since its grand bow on September 18, Pink’s is a sibling to the iconic gourmet fast foodery from Los Angeles. Pink’s started on the West Coast as a family-owned hot dog stand, founded by Betty Pink in 1939, and became known as the “Home of the World’s Best Chili Dog,” a justly earned title that attracts crowds dozens deep and draws celebrities ranging from stage actors to rappers. “Pink’s Hot Dogs, known for their quality and value, have been devoured and enjoyed by residents of Los Angeles for decades,” says Billy Richardson, proprietor and CEO of Pink’s Hot Dogs Las Vegas. “The people of Las Vegas now have the opportunity to taste the world’s greatest hot dog without sitting in the traffic of I-15.” And unlike the Los Angeles location, Planet Hollywood’s 1,900-square-foot site lets you wash down your dog with some suds. You also have an opportunity to sit on a patio overlooking the Strip.
Posing with their namesake franks at the Pink's grand opening are Holly Madison, top left, and Kim Kardashian, above. Miss America 2009 Katie Stam takes a big bite, top.
Here, you’ll find the 14 varieties of dogs not only treated with respect, but practically revered. And that goes for both of the breeds the eatery offers: the all-beef frankfurter with natural casing that audibly snaps when you bite into it, and the thicker, Chicago-style Polish sausage. Classic dogs are named for the cities that inspired them—thus, the Guadalajara version has relish, onions, tomatoes and sour cream toppings, while the Brooklyn brethren appears wrapped with Swiss cheese and pastrami. Meanwhile, Pink’s special hot dogs boast the appellations of the stars who inspired them, including the Holly Madison Naked Dog, a plain hot dog dressed only in ketchup; the Mel B Dog, with nacho cheese, sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, onions and tomatoes; and the Kim Kardashian Dog, with bacon, lettuce, tomato and guacamole. Stop by to savor one of these irresistible concoctions, or create your own.
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F : C A S I N O R O Y A L E , C O L U M B I A P I C T U R E S ; S E X A N D T H E C I T Y, N E W L I N E C I N E M A ; T H E B I G L E B O W S K I , U N I V E R S A L P I C T U R E S ; A N C H O R M A N : T H E L E G E N D O F R O N B U R G U N D Y, D R E A M W O R K S S K G ; C A S A B L A N C A , W A R N E R B R O S . P I C T U R E S