Including Universal Studios Hollywood, where Pink's occupies a prime space on the edge of the new Universal Plaza, at the center of the park.
Jeff Elliott and I enjoyed lunch at Pink's a while back, ordering two of the restaurant's more popular dogs.
The Mulholland Drive Dog, on the left, is served with grilled onions and mushrooms, nacho cheese, and bacon ($9.49), while Pink's most popular offering is the Bacon Chili Cheese Dog (on the right, $8.99). Both are served with seasoned fries.
The big plus here is the lack of the hour-long wait often found at the original Pink's. But the dogs served at Universal taste much the same as at the original — a pleasantly spicy, beefy flavor from the hot dog, which offers a nice snap from the casing. I like Pink's chili, too, which isn't too chunky for a hot dog topping, nor too bland to be a waste of time and effort. It strikes a nice balance between substance and condiment, adding to the hot dog without overwhelming it. I could, however, do without the yellow mustard under the dog. I understand how some might like the sharp taste to cut the richness of hot dog, chili, bacon, and cheese, but, hey, I just don't like yellow mustard. (Jeff gave his hot dog an enthusiastic passing grade, too.)
Also on the menu: a "naked" dog ($6.99) and Polish ($8.49), a Chicago-style Polish served mild or spicy ($8.99), a bacon burrito dog ($9.49 — it's two hot dogs, bacon, cheese, onions, and chili, wrapped in a tortilla), a chili cheeseburger ($10.49), and turkey cheeseburger ($9.49) The kids' meal is $5.99 and includes a choice of kid's hot dog or chicken tenders, fries or applesauce, a cookie, and a drink.
So place your order at the window, walk around the corner to pick it up, then find one of the many nearby tables surrounding the plaza to enjoy your lunch. Even if you're not in the mood for hot dogs, with the Flintstones' Bar-B-Q, Mel's Diner, and the new Palace Theatre Cafe just steps away, you have plenty of other options for a quick-service lunch on the plaza, as well.
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