The Hollywood Hot Dog Stand That Has Been Slinging Glizzys Since The '40s

Does passing by a hot dog-shaped stand make you want a hot dog? That's the idea at Tail O' the Pup, just such a structure that is also a Los Angeles landmark. Tail O' the Pup is beloved not only because it has been serving one of the most quintessentially American foods of all since the 1940s, but also because the whimsical architecture is an iconic example of roadside food stands of that mid-20th-century era. 

The 18-foot-long hot dog that forms the original stand perfectly evokes that sense of nostalgia and Americana, and it has also been frequented by celebrities like Sigourney Weaver, The Go-Go's, and Andy Warhol. While it's no longer at its original location, Tail O' the Pup has been restored and reopened in West Hollywood in 2022. Foodie spoke to Maxim Shapovalov, the historian and archivist of the 1933 Group behind the restoration of Tail O' the Pup, to learn more about the history of this legendary food stand. 

Tail O' the Pup was first opened in 1946 by a famous ballroom dancing couple, Frank Veloz and Yolanda Casazza, with a lot of fanfare. "The opening was very posh, like a Hollywood premiere," Shapovalov says, noting that even "red carpets were laid down." The architectural style is known as mimetic architecture, where the buildings are designed to look like the products that are sold inside. 

Mimetic buildings could be a big draw. "When Los Angeles switched from a railroad town to a car town, many business owners were worried that customers would have a hard time [seeing] the signage," Shapovalov explains, "So they started building in the shape of the product they sell." At one point the city had over 70 different mimetic structures, but Tail O' the Pup is one of the very few left. 

According to Shapovalov, in its early years, Tail O' the Pup was very successful, as it was located right across from Lucas Kiddieland (also known as Beverly Park Kiddieland), an early amusement park that's said to have inspired Walt Disney. However, fortunes changed when the park closed and the hot dog stand was pushed out to another location. It lingered for years, ultimately closing in 2005. 

The hot dog-shaped structure was acquired and reopened by 1933 Group, a hospitality business that specializes in restoring historical buildings and turning them into trendy restaurants and bars. According to Shapovalov, Tail O' the Pup was "especially dear" for 1933 Group's co-founder Bobby Green. "[Green] is all about Americana," says Shapovalov, but Green has a personal connection to it as well, having visited the stand as a child with his parents.

As for the new spot, the 1933 Group chose a location in West Hollywood with its own special history. "[The location] was acquired by Jim Morrison from The Doors," says Shapovalov, "where he and his band recorded the 'L.A. Woman' album." The current Tail O' the Pup is a bit bigger now, boasting a restaurant space with an indoor kitchen and dining area. The iconic structure stands prominently outside, catching the eyes of all who walk or drive by. 

Tail O' the Pup currently serves a version of the hot dog the original restaurant was known for, where the hot dog is split lengthwise and griddled. The menu also offers chili dogs, Chicago-style hot dogs, corn dogs, and hamburgers. There's even a hot dog served in a puppy-shaped bun that kids will love. While some people may still wonder what exactly is in a hot dog, the ones at Tail O' the Pup are 100% beef.