Tail o’ the Pup is a Los Angeles, California hot dog stand shaped like a hot dog. Built in 1946, it is considered a prime example of programmatic architecture. It is one of the last surviving mid-20th century buildings built in the shape of the product it sold.

History

Designed by Milton J. Black, the stand opened at 311 La Cienega Boulevard in 1946. Eddie Blake purchased the business from Veloz and Yolanda in 1976.

Blake's grandson Jay Miller and his wife Nicole inherited the Pup in 2017. After a failed attempt to partner with Killer Shrimp, the structure was donated to the Valley Relics Museum. The stand reopened in 2022 at 8512 Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood.

Architecture and design

Tail o' the Pup is long, reinforced with steel, and designed to resemble a hot dog with mustard. The design is considered programmatic.

Film location

Tail o' the Pup was featured in several television shows and movies including: Columbo, Body Double, The Rockford Files, L.A. Story, and the music video for George Benson's 'Give Me The Night'..

See also

  • Coney Island Hot Dog Stand
  • Randy's Donuts

References

  • The Tail o' the Pup image
  • The Tail o' the Pup image via: Taschen, CNN <!-- https://www.cnn.com/style/article/california-crazy-roadside-architecture/index.html -->
  • The Tail o' the Pup image via: CityNews Calgary