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The Hot Dog Show, Ontario, 1950
In my hometown of Ontario, five years ago when I was running around out there looking for images to include in my first book, Cruising the Pomona Valley 1930 thru 1970, I ran across this amazing slide. I got it from the owner of the Hot Dog Show, Norma Jones. I wonder if she ever noticed that those red and white striped curtains look more like a rather large person squatting -therefore making those hot dogs with angel wings and halos very unappetizing.
Before the San Bernardino Freeway was extended through the Pomona Valley in 1955, Hollywood stars would pass by the Hot Dog Show on their way to and from Palm Springs. Norma told me about the time that Joan Crawford pulled up in a big chauffer driven black limousine. But before she ordered a round of hot dogs for the chauffer, nanny, twins and precious little Christina, she insisted upon inspecting the cleanliness of the kitchen. After it passed her test, she sat in the kitchen and smoked a cigarette while they sat patio and ate their hot dogs.
In 1960 the Hot Dog Show burned to the ground – grease fire in the kitchen. It was replaced by a taco stand. There is one Hot Dog Show still standing -across the street from Bob’s Big Boy in Toluca Lake.
God Bless Americana!
Posted Thursday, June 24th, 2004 under Slide of the Week.
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A blast from MY past. There was a Hot Dog Show in Pacific Palisades, a “westside” community in Los Angeles. As kids in the late 60s we would ride the bus, eat at The Hot Dog Show , then walk across the street to see a movie at the neighborhood theatre for $0.50. Thanks for the trip!
I also (fondly) recall the Palisades Hot Dog Show (and worked there as a teen in the mid-1970s). It closed in about 1979, and while I knew of the Toluca Lake location, I was very surprised to learn there was one in Ontario. They (all three “shows) are spitting-images architecturally. Thanks for the memory picture. Long live the “Beagle!”
I had do do a double take. Just now (okay a minute ago) I opened a “Surf” and saw the Hot Dog Show in the Palisades and remeber the .50 cent shows at the Bay Theater too. I’ll bet .50 cents that if there is a theater near the “Show” in Ontario it no longer will be less than the dollar!
The Palisades Hot dog Show was the 1st place I ever ate a hamburger. I thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever tasted (chargrilled as I remember) We would throw fries at the toy train that circled the restaurant up near the ceiling to try and derail it. The Palisades was so great to grow up in back in the sixties and seventies before all the millionaires moved in and took over. On a side note, I just saw The Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) tonight and The Burbank Hot dog Show was shown in one scene. Cool!
This is great. The Hot Dog Show in Ontario with my dad. Both real hot dog lovers. The Hot Dog Show was my favorite. Valley Drive In was the place on Friday and Saturday nights. Thanks.
OH…MY…GOD!!!This slide is sooooo bizarre…yes, Charles, this does indeed look like a giant person squatting…and those hot dogs underneath…ugh. What were the owners thinking??? I don’t know whether to barf or laugh at this…me thinks I’ll do
both!!
Just found out about your book “Cruising the Pomona Valley” What a thrill to remember Betsy Ross, Mc Donalds and then to go to your name and find “The Hot dog Show”. They had the best hot dogs EVER!!! Stopped every other day to buy these wonderful “dogs”. None like it since. I had moved away after high school and had no idea it had burned down. So very sad. Will have to go to the one in Tuluca Lake. Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane.
I grew up in the Palisades but unfortunately never ate at the Hot Dog Show, even though I lived three blocks away. My pre-movie meal was always at the Hacienda Galvan, right around the corner. I collect matchbooks now (but sadly not then) If anyone reading this has a matchbook from either place I would love to hear from you. My email address is thenewtomhofer@gmail.com. Thank you!