Chroni's Hot Dogs
East Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Along Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles, Chroni’s Famous Sandwich Shop has been giving hungry motorists a reason to stop since 1945. Listed in the earlier caption as Cronie’s, this neighborhood fixture is known for hot dogs with a satisfying “snap.” Apparently the first bite supplies its own sound effect.
The tall roadside sign helps announce the specialty, while the menu also offers burgers and pastrami. It’s a familiar combination for a stretch of boulevard with a long connection to Southern California cruising culture. A little roadside lettering and a chili dog can make a pretty good lunch stop.
UPDATE: Chroni’s remains open on Whittier Boulevard, continuing a restaurant tradition that dates back more than eighty years. The sign was taken down recently. 10-26
Cupid's Hot Dogs Winnetka, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A heart-shaped marquee gives Cupid’s Hot Dogs a fitting roadside introduction in the San Fernando Valley. The sign supplies the romance, while the chili dogs give hungry motorists another reason to fall for the place.
Richard and Bernice Walsh established the business in 1946 as Walsh’s Hot Dogs. The Cupid’s name followed, reportedly inspired by Richard’s nickname for Bernice. That familiar heart has a family story behind it, rather than simply being something dreamed up for the sign.
Later generations kept the tradition going. Granddaughters Kelly and Morgan Walsh added a particularly nice touch at the Winnetka stand by reviving carhop service on roller skates. A chili dog delivered to the car fits right in with the roadside setting. Apparently the wheels didn’t all have to stay under the automobiles.
UPDATE: The Cupid’s business reaches its eightieth anniversary in 2026. Its heart marquee, family history, and revived carhop service give this longtime Valley name plenty of roadside character. 10-26
Wiener Factory (Gone) Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The appropriately shaped rooftop sign at Wiener Factory gave passing motorists a pretty good idea of what was cooking below. This little Sherman Oaks stand on Ventura Boulevard didn’t need a grand dining room to develop a devoted following.
Opened on April Fool’s Day in 1971, the restaurant became known for its hot dogs, sausages, and graffiti-covered interior. The name and sign supplied some roadside humor, while the food kept customers returning for more than three decades.
Unfortunately, losing the lease brought the run to an end. Plans called for a frozen-yogurt shop to replace the stand, but that proposed replacement never opened. Quite a trade for a neighborhood favorite.
UPDATE: Wiener Factory closed on December 31, 2007. The former stand later housed another restaurant, ending a distinctive chapter of Ventura Boulevard’s roadside dining history. 10-26
Oki Dog (Closed)
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Looking for a hot dog with a little extra baggage? Oki Dog made its name with two hot dogs, pastrami, chili, and cheese wrapped inside a flour tortilla. This was a meal that didn’t spend much time worrying about fitting into a conventional bun.
The business also became part of Los Angeles music history. Its original Santa Monica Boulevard location attracted musicians and fans from the punk scene, becoming a gathering place after shows. Recollections of those nights include the Germs’ Darby Crash, giving the stand a connection to a particularly lively chapter of the city’s musical past.
The later orange stand at Fairfax and Willoughby carried another chapter of the Oki Dog story. Its weathered appearance and oversized specialty helped distinguish it from the polished restaurant chains around town. The character came with the territory.
UPDATE: Oki Dog’s Fairfax location closed over Labor Day weekend in 2024. Guac Daddy now lists a restaurant at the former address, bringing a new menu to the corner. Oki Dog’s place in Los Angeles punk history remains considerably harder to replace. 10-26
Der Wienerschnitzel
East Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out the little house-like profile of Der Wienerschnitzel in East Los Angeles. That steep A-frame roof makes quite an invitation to pull over for a chili dog. Home cooking? Well, somebody’s cooking, and there’s certainly a roof overhead.
John Galardi started the chain in Wilmington in 1961, and its distinctive stands soon became familiar sights around Southern California. Some routed the drive-through right through the middle of the building. Apparently driving around the restaurant was taking too long.
There’s also an unverified ghost tale in the supplied history: a figure dressed in 1960s clothing supposedly appears in the drive-through lane on foggy nights, holding an empty tray before fading away. Fact or fiction? Either way, that’s quite a wait for a chili dog. Hopefully nobody’s still expecting change.
UPDATE: The chain continues under the shorter Wienerschnitzel name. Its surviving A-frame stands carry reminders of Southern California’s early fast-food days, when a quick meal could come with some memorable architecture. 10-26
Papoo's Hot Dog Show (Gone)
Toluca Lake, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Here's a hot dog place near the Bob's Big Boy in Toluca
Lake that's apparently famous for their breakfast burritos. Welcome to Papoo's Hot Dog Show. Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for info.
Across Riverside Drive from Bob’s Big Boy, Papoo’s Hot Dog Show offered another reason to stop in the Toluca Lake neighborhood. Its neon frankfurter came equipped with wings and a halo, giving passing motorists something to admire before deciding what to order. Apparently an ordinary hot dog wasn’t going to carry the show.
Papoo's Hot Dog Show
Toluca Lake, CA Photo courtesy Alex Gardner / 2007
Opened in 1949 as The Hot Dog Show, the restaurant stood on the Burbank side of the city boundary. The Papoo’s name arrived with new ownership in the late 1970s, becoming familiar to generations of neighborhood customers.
The menu kept the canine theme going with specialty dogs named the Dachshund, Chihuahua, and Great Dane. Breakfast burritos also earned a following. With Bob’s across the street, customers could combine something to eat with a look atthe classic cars gathering nearby.
There’s a movie connection, too. The Hot Dog Show appears in Don Siegel’s 1956 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers, preserving an earlier look at the business before it became Papoo’s. Quite a second career for a neighborhood hot dog stand.
UPDATE: This
place was originally called "Hot Dog Heaven" - hence the winged
and be-haloed frank. As I recall, the sign marks the size and site of
the original outdoor stand. The place was expanded decades ago to accommodate
indoor seating. Many thanks to Skip Johnston for update. 05-05
Papoo's Hot Dog Show
Toluca Lake, CA Photo courtesy Alex Gardner / 2007
UPDATE: Here's another shot of the front of Papoo's Hot Dog Show. Many thanks to Chris & Ginger for photo. 06-07
UPDATE: The pole sign at Papoo's has been repainted including the angel dog at the top. Many thanks to Alex Gardner for photo and update. 10-07
UPDATE: Papoo’s closed on August 28, 2011, after 62 years. Required kitchen upgrades and building maintenance contributed to its departure. The space later housed Umami Burger and then Veggie Grill, bringing different menus to this familiar roadside corner. 10-26
Chroni's Hot Dogs
Cupid's Hot Dogs
Wiener Factory (Gone)
Oki Dog (Closed)
Der Wienerschnitzel
Papoo's Hot Dog Show (Gone)
Papoo's Hot Dog Show
Papoo's Hot Dog Show
