01/22/08

Looks like the best days for this place have been lost in the past.

by culinaryman

The "Hot Dog Show" used to be a favorite hang out for a lot of teens, among others young and old, back in the 60's and 70's around the time I was in high school. Since it has become "Papoo's Hot Dog Show", it may still look the same on the outside but what,s on the inside has changed a lot. The food is definitely not of the same quality nor is the service. Obviously the prices can not be what they were 30 years ago but, their prices for this type of food has gone up beyond value. This hot dog stand used to be unique because of their menu and all the different varieties of hot dogs they offered with catchy little names. Of course you can't expect any restaurant not to add new items to their menu since not everybody will want a hot dog but they should have kept the novelty of the original hot dog menu alive. When I ate there with my wife recently, she was on her lunch hour, we barely got out of there in time to get here back to her job on time, the service was horribly slow and this is unacceptable for fast food. Besides the tables, there used to be a eating counter all the way around inside, this has been changed and for some reason the nostalgia seems to be gone. Oh, and one last comment, I realize that the owner Papoo wants everybody to know it's his place but I feel that possibly more old time customers like myself might have been prone to go there if he would have just left the name alone as "The Hot Dog Show".

• Pros: Nostalgic appearance of landmark building
• Cons: slow service, high prices, just average food

10/12/07

Competition for Pinks

by keyframegirl

Good hot dogs, great milk shakes, good prices, bad service, slummy building. Worth checking it out if you don't mind the atmosphere. A good building make over would do this place good!!

• Pros: hot dogs, milk shakes, cheap eats
• Cons: dirty/slummy restaurant, slow service

09/08/07

Best dogs ever... Period ;)

by backintheday2

Back in the day (1950's) it was not Papoo's ,but just the "Hot Dog Show" . There were 7 kinds of Hot dogs from the"Mutt" at $.25 (Mustard, onions, relish) to the "husky" (Chili, onions and melted chedder cheese) at $.45. Along with the dogs you got potato chips and carrot sticks! (I have no idea why but I ate em LOL ;) There was also an offer (unadvertised) of a free meal if you could eat 12! They had a great "to-go" service which we usually used. I rarely fail to visit this place when I am in Los Angeles... Many great memories. The food is still great but being a purist I often wish it was still just a hot dog joint.

I still replicate these dogs at home for myself and friends and always get rave reviews. Don't miss a chance to visit if you are in the area. ;)

02/11/07

great service, nice patio, good breakfasts

by i_know_la

Papoo's is a great little spot in Toluca Lake. Their mainstay weekday waitress, Maria, is a charm and manages to serve what seems like dozens of people at once while maintaining a smile and telling jokes. The breakfasts are reasonably priced, and for lunch during good weather, there is a nice patio.

• Pros: Good food, friendly service, nice patio, good value

10/19/06

best tuna avocado melt EVER

by tweetyd20

This place is soooo yummy! ATmosphere has an old feeling to it. The food is great! I always bring all my friends who visit me at work to this place. It has the best tuna avocado sandwiches. The fries are great with ranch sauce. It isn't necessarily the healthiest since the sandwich is grilled, but you HAVE to try it! I always crave the tuna so when I go back to try something new, I end up getting the tuna again.

09/24/06

overated !

by disconay

I went to this place because of what i heard. what a joke !. the food is below average and overpriced and small portions. they dont even accomodate customer requests for a milkshake saying "they are too busy right now to make it".so that is the last time i ever set foot in that place.

07/18/06

Fun Atmosphere

by organiccritic

Okay so the food here may not be anything special but it's such a fun atmosphere that it makes up for it. The food is inexpensive, there's a tv, some old video games, red and white checkers, and friendly service. It is an old school diner. P.S. - prepare to potty in an outhouse

• Pros: Fun! Never too crowded.
• Cons: Average diner food.

06/09/06

Great Neighborhood Joint

by californiameaghan

Work people and I go here about once a week. We always have great food, lots of laughs, and fantastic service.

• Pros: Quick, Great Menu, Cheap
• Cons: Limited Parking

Fifties-style soda fountain offers hot dogs, steaks and sandwiches.

by Contributor

In Short
This hot-dog joint established in 1949 features red walls with white scalloped trim, black-and-white checker floor, gingham curtains and tablecloths, heart-shaped chairbacks and red booths with cow-print table tops. Tin signs of vintage cars dot the walls alongside one of Marilyn Monroe pushing Lustre-Crème shampoo. Beyond dogs, burgers and grilled sandwiches, there are full breakfasts, rib eye steak sandwich, and fish and chips. Malts, shakes and floats are served, as well as wine and beer.

10/05/03

An Overlooked Classic

by boiledpeanut

This laid-back, old-school 1950's hot dog joint is bizarrely overlooked. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, terrific breakfasts, and a pinball machine that still gives you five balls for a quarter. My kids adore this place, and the fact that it's not mobbed with people is both a selling point and a dirty shame.

• Pros: fun, cheap, classic
• Cons: outhouse