(Originally posted on June 10, 2016, “Iconic Pink’s Hot Dogs from Hollywood opens in Manila: A look at the food” by Vernice L. Tantuco on Rappler, https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/best-eats/136031-pinks-hot-dogs-manila-branch-opening)
MANILA, Philippines – For the first time since they opened in 1939, Pink’s Hot Dogs has opened its first branch outside the US, right here in Manila.
The branch, at Shangri-la The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, is a sit-down restaurant, but its interiors were made to look like a food stall, inspired by the first Pink’s that opened in Hollywood decades ago.
Customers can choose to sit at the picnic tables or head straight to the counter to get their hotdogs, fries, or burgers to go.
Originally, Pink’s was a hot dog stall opened up by Paul and Betty Pink.
Today, Pink’s Hot Dogs is managed by Paul and Betty’s family, Richard, Gloria, and Beverly Pink, and has many branches across America. It’s also frequented by famous celebrities – Kim Kardashian and Betty White have been spotted at Pink’s, it’s reportedly Brad Pitt’s favorite, and Bruce Willis proposed to Demi Moore at a Pink’s.
According to Walter Manzke, co-owner of LA’s Republique and Manila’s Wildflour and Farmacy, the Pinks approached him and asked about bringing Pink’s to the Philippines.
“It all started with a simple conversation, we met, started talking, and they told me they’ve always wanted to open in Asia and tried several times and it didn’t work out. And because of my connections here with [Wildflour co-owner Ana de Ocampo] – my sister-in-law – and Wildflour, we decided to go for it and bring it here,” he recounted to Rappler on June 10 before the restaurant opened.
We visited Pink’s Hot Dogs’ Manila branch on their opening day, Friday, June 10, and tried some of the hot dogs on their menu.
Pink’s is known for their signature chili cheese dog – The Hollywood Legend (P280)– topped with their famous chili, cheddar cheese, and chopped onions.
Underneath the East LA Street Dog’s (P280) mound of toppings – ketchup, mustard, mayo, grilled onions and peppers, and pico de gallo (tomato, onions, and fresh serranos) – is a hot dog wrapped in bacon.
Try the Buffalo Wing dog (P280) for something a little different – this one is topped with spicy wing sauce, crispy chicken skin, blue cheese, carrots, and celery.
For something with a kick, the Don’t Mess with Texas (P280) comes with pickled jalapeños, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, grilled onions, and coleslaw.
All of Pink’s Manila’s hot dogs come in buns baked in Wildflour. On the side, Pink’s offers home made fries (P130) and onion rings (P160) to go with their burgers and hot dogs.
Pink’s Manila also has an ice cream truck inside, offering some of Farmacy’s ice cream (P150 single scoop, P190 double scoop, P230 triple scoop).
