One of the best fast food places ever and one I wish was still around is Pup n Taco.
I remember my Mom would take me to one up the street from our house almost everyday after I got out of school so I could get one of their rightous hot dogs. I wanted to take the time to remember them, share some photos, and a little on their history.
Pup 'N' Taco was a privately-owned chain of fast-food restaurants in Southern California, with its headquarters based in Long Beach, California. The business was begun by Russell Wendell in 1956 as a drive-in restaurant that served tacos and hot dogs. At the time Russell owned a chain of successful doughnut stores in Los Angeles - Big DoNut - which featured gigantic doughnuts atop a drive-in bakery. The first officially branded Pup 'N' Taco was opened in Pasadena, California in 1965.
The menu consisted of tacos, tostadas, pastrami sandwiches, burgers, several varieties of hot dog (the "pup" in Pup 'N' Taco) and french fries. Beverages included R.C. Cola, root beer and a variety of flavored slushes.
Ninety-nine stores were bought by Taco Bell in 1984, effectively ending the history of the chain. However, three operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico were not included in the deal and two still exist today as Pop 'N' Taco, the same as in Los Angeles.
The one I went to when I was little still stands as a Taco Beel to this day, just a shell of it's former glory of the Pup n Taco. Hopefully soon, I can make it over to the Pop n Taco. From what I have heard it is just as good. One of only 2 original stores still standing. In case you are wandering, they had to change the name from Pup to Pop because Taco Bell owns all the rights to the name Pup n Taco.
OMG The best chili dogs ever better than weinerschnitzel by far sorry to see them gone.
ReplyDeleteElo
I worked at the Glendale (CA) Pup N Taco during high school.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. Was that located on Glendale ave and Lomita? I am having a nostalgia moment. Had some fond memories eating tacos with my dad, who recently passed.
Deletewas there a pup and taco in Huntington Park Ca
ReplyDeletePretty much if there is a taco bell! Then there use to be a pup N taco there unless it is a newly built building.
DeleteIt's corporate 'think' that would take away our choices of fast food in order to expand another franchise... at a fraction of the cost since establishing a business from ground zero (especially restaurants since the cost of kitchen equipment is a huge drain well before opening!) usually fails for the individual investor. Managing a failing business (indebted up to your eyeballs) after retirement sounds like not an optimum plan, but would keep you from gettng bored ;-)
ReplyDeletePup N Taco Sherman Way and Kester in Van Nuys.The bun taco's were just phenomenal. Back then Taco Bell was a worthy replacement because they still used actual meat. Now Taco Bell outta be closing up. They removed every menu item they had that was any good. The Chilito, The Bell Beefer. Original Tacos and ground beef. Whatever that place is selling now... Blahhhh makes me wanna puke. Bring back Pup N taco..
ReplyDeleteAhh, the memories! I worked at the one on Virgil in Los Angeles while in high school. The pastrami sandwiches were the best!
ReplyDeleteOMG I still drive by that building on Virgil and Fountain and thought I was the only one left who remembers it being a Pup N Taco, one night in 1981 I could barely squueze my 62 Cadillac convertible around that tiny drive thru lane.
Deleteyes and it was on florence & seville i belive its still a fast food joint i remember going bye about five to six years to huntington park and it was a tommy's at that time
ReplyDeleteyes and it was on florence & seville i belive its still a fast food joint i remember going bye about five to six years to huntington park and it was a tommy's at that time
ReplyDeleteyes and it was on florence & seville i belive its still a fast food joint i remember going bye about five to six years to huntington park and it was a tommy's at that time
ReplyDeleteyay xddddddddddd
ReplyDeleteThey had one in nm Duke city became like an icon. Miss pup in taco my uncle's first job was 9up n taco
ReplyDeleteThere was one right across the street from the original Tommy's. I thought their chili burger was better than tommy's
ReplyDeleteI remember there was one on Western Ave in Gardena Ca...only four blocks to where I lived.
ReplyDeleteWas there a Pup n Taco on Pico in Los Angeles?
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