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Categories: Hot Dogs, Burgers, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Toluca Lake, BurbankMon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
In a time where fast food and gourmet burger joints are on every corner it's refreshing to find a good old fashoined hamburger stand. It's simple and it delivers as promised. To be honest, I was pleasantly surprise on how good this place was and I am a bit hesitant to give it another star. But i will go back again soon and if the experience is on par with this one I will upgrade this bad boy.
Food was good, fast and service with a smile. Just like the old days.....by the way fries aren't included with your burger, but they do have they're own parking lot. Trust me, parking in that area is tough.
Papoo's has been a Toluca Lake/Burbank staple for like, a 1,000 years. It's truly a neighborhood institution. Although called Papoo's Hot Dog Show, this little gem of a place sells a lot more than hot dogs. In fact, I've never even had one of their many hot dog specialties. My favorite thing on the menu is the pastrami sandwich. It's absolutely delicious and they are so generous with the meat, I usually end up saving half for later. And their French fries... steak cut and crisped to perfection. I do love a crispy fry. I always have to get a root beer. They serve it over crushed ice. There's something about that root beer-crushed ice combo. It's the best. I've tried a lot of their salads and other sandwiches and I've always been quite satisfied. The only thing I wasn't crazy about were the fish and chips. I'm sure that's only because I'm partial to the fish and chips at Fox and Hound.
Papoo's is walking distance for me, so I go there a lot. The service is great and the food is delivered to your table pretty quickly. They have a nice flat screen TV, so you can watch the Big Game while you eat or while you're waiting for take out. It's a great place to take the family.
We were in search of a Grilled Hot Dog on a Sunday...and not many of the places in the North Hollywood / Burbank area are open on Sundays.
I'm assuming that because it was a Sunday, it was easy to find parking in the lot next door. We walked inside and were greeted with great customer service.
Not only that...but it was FAST customer service and the hot dogs were great!
Definitely something to keep on the radar for Hot Dog cravings. :)
I would have given them 4 stars if they had skinny fries instead of the thick steak fries. The hot dog bread is already a lot...but to add large fries on top of that is a LOT.
But...great place for hot dogs...
5 stars for the bacon cheese dog. I've been wanting to come here for a while - finally got the chance. This place closes at 8pm during the week.
When I came in, the place was dead. The menu is pretty extensive with hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches. The prices are a little high - my expectations were low coming in.
The "signature" dog is the bacon cheese dog - it sounded great - so I gave it a shot. They claim to use hoffy hot dogs (like pinks does) - I'm not a pinks fan so I was a little skeptical. It took a while to cook the dog. They have pepsi here - another plus - because diet coke sucks. They also have several beers on tap - just not sure why they close so early.
Anyway, finally got the dog and opened it up. It looked very impressive - a stretch dog (I got the regular one - not the 1/4 pounder) with a ton of thick bacon and cheese sauce on top of it - very surprised. Took a bite and I was in heaven - the bacon was incredible, the bun was steamed and tasted great, and the cheese sauce actually tasted good as well - the hot dog was not bad either - just tasted great together.
If you like hot dogs, gotta come down here and have a bacon cheese dog - they do it right.
I would come back in a heartbeat and I'm looking forward to trying some of the other items on the menu.
Gotta a little heartburn later on in the day - but it sure tasted great.
Parking sucks - have to park behind the restaurant or out in the street - good luck.
i discovered this place by being contracted to work in the area for 10 days. my first visit was for breakfast. i had low expectations since it appears to be more of a lunch joint, but it was really good. perfectly cooked diner style breakfast. during my stay i was able to try their hotdogs, hamburger, fish sandwich, fries and onion rings. everything was great. if ur into straight up burgers and hot dogs in a cute old restaurant with a lot of character. this is it.
So I got a new job in burbank .... yay burbank .... Went to find lunch today and this place seemed interesting. Sat at the counter, waitress gave me time to review the menu without rushing ...... to the point that I actually wondered if they noticed I came in ... lol ... the old guy next to me gave me some pointers on ordering .... took his advice and went with the pastrami .... it was glorious ...... good mustard distribution .... good pickle to meat ratio .... crispy fries ... dr pepper was fizzy .... and the waitress kept calling me babe! .... it was so yummy ....lol ... I believe I will returning ... possibly tomorrow
Man, I miss this place. In college we used to drive the hour from Malibu just to hit up Papoo's. The dogs are amazing, the service always comes with a smile.
As my husband said, "This place makes me wanna Yelp!"
Where has this place been all my life? Why have I been wasting my time at Bob's Big Boy across the street when this place was just waiting for me?
Went here for lunch with my Hubs and only had 40 minutes to get in and out. A nice little parking lot in the back of the restaurant had enough spots to accommodate, which automatically gain a STAR in my book! The interior of the restaurant is honest and cute - lots of high-seat bar seating, lots of outdoor seating, lots of large table seating, and best of all, lots of booths! We sat on a red vinyl booth in front of a black and white cow-spotted table and drooled over the large menu, featuring all sorts of hot dogs (no veggie, though), hamburgers (veggie friendly, too), hot and cold sandwiches, salads, desserts, specialty drinks, and until 11:30 lots of breakfast items.
We gave the waitress our order and told her we were in a bit of a rush. After just a few minutes of drinking water with big lemon wedges AND crushed ice (be still my heart!), our food was hot and on the table. My hub's Reuben and cheese fries were overloaded and full of pastrami and sauerkraut. My avocado melt was delicate and hearty - PERFECTLY grilled buttered sourdough bread with melted cheese, tomato, and thinly sliced avocado, accompanied by carrot sticks, sweet potato fries, and ranch dressing AND BBQ sauce.
We had to slow ourselves down because the food was so good we almost inhaled it. We literally kept stopping to say to each other "Holy mother this is good. Have you ever had a sandwich this delicious?" We sent our compliments to the chef via the waitress and they seemed very grateful. We looked around the place to see lots of "regulars" present - such a good sign. This place is like a "hometown" hot dog/hamburger'cafe type of joint in a city otherwise infested with trends and commercialism. And with a view of the mountains out the window - you would think you were in Colorado!
THIS is my new favorite restaurant in the Valley, by far.
Where shall I start?
The decor is tired, obnoxious and down right uncomfortable. The bathroom is dated, dirty and in the parking lot.
Pepsi no Coke; I guess we should all turn a blind eye to the big Coke signs out front.
The Order:
Fish and Chips: (minced definitely minced), the coleslaw was good.
Cheeseburger: stale bun, hard to go on past that but for yelp I will, plenty of pickles and I am pretty sure that was to drown out the flavor of the patty which was most likely purchased from the Burbank Unified School District, lettuce toms, etc. Standard fare yet so sub-par.
Chili Cheese Fries: fine, whatever this is now the second item on my table that came from a bag and was thrown in a fryer. A very very small portion too.
Drum-roll please - Chili Cheese Dog (after all we are at a hot dog show): Yes, it is a good dog - nice snap and served hot.
Service: I read English and the sign does say order here, but as I sat down and the Mr. went up to place the order, the gal says take a seat I'll be right with you. She did take our order and that was the last of it.
Prices: I did not find them reasonable - burger was in the $7 range (no fries)
As I walked out and saw the quaint photo's of happy children from a bygone era, I wished desperately that had been my experience.
Papoo's Hot Dog Show wins the award for the most ridiculous name of a local dive joint. Fortunately, it also wins the award for best random spot to get an amazing breakfast burrito.
While the name implies that the dogs are what steal the show - and don't get me wrong, they're good - they have a rather amazing assortment of other goodies here as well. I primarily hit their breakfast menu up. You won't find anything not on a typical greasy spoon menu, but you will find consistently good - but not good for you - grub.
On to my absolute favorite thing to get here - the breakfast burrito. Now don't go rolling over here expecting a breakfast burrito like you would normally encounter when you get a breakfast burrito. This is really unlike any other you'll find. It's not that the ingredients are entirely different. You still get eggs, potatoes and cheese and pretty much whatever meat you want inside. But the ingredients are as only Papoo's can dish up. The eggs are eggs - but the potatoes are usually a perfectly mashed up consistency with perfect breakfast flavoring. The cheese is so melty and delicious. Then add in meat like, oh I don't know, HOT POLISH SAUSAGE?!?!?! Yeah. Sounds crazy, but your head will explode when you taste it. Of course, none of that would be complete with the salsa - which again is its own animal. Made with some good chili's and a whole lot of oil, it's a perfect compliment to the breakfast burrito to die for.
It's in Toluca Lake, and I'm all the way on the West Side. I still find time to make it out to Papoo's though.
The ambiance is an old school LA diner, and so is the help. Pay close attention - the girl running the joint can be seen in a newspaper article from the 70's when she was only a waitress.
Go my friend. Go forth and let the burrito show you what else a burrito can become.
OK, certainly not Pink's but with no line, table service, a waitress that calls you "hun" and crushed ice for your root beer, one could definitely forget about that other hot dog place. The decor is not much but it is certainly better than the view of La Brea for a half hour BEFORE you even get to eat.
The dogs are grilled, tasty and come with a myriad of delicious toppings. I would, however, avoid the chili unless you are partial to 3 alarm heartburn a few hours after your meal. In addition to the hot dogs, they have burgers, full breakfast, beer and wine.
Food 5
Decor 1
Service 4
Other parking AND crushed ice for drinks 5
Big, bland, boring breakfast burrito. This place was raved about to me so I decided to give it a go. As starving as I was, I couldn't handle the tasteless bacon, overpowering American cheese (WHY???), and unseasoned potatoes. As gross as it may be, I'm all about the concept of processed cheese (nacho, American, Velveeta, etc.) but this American cheese in the burrito was so terribly terribly flawed. The burrito was also too dry and the salsa they gave was oddly oily and tasteless too! For a grease powerhouse, I expected more. Anything. Salt? Pepper? Anything? Hello Papoo's? Can you hear me? There's a magical fairy dust called season salt. It was a $6.50 gigantic 8 pounds of nothing.
The service was great. I appreciate parking (ALWAYS). Overall, it was a very disappointing Saturday morning breakfast. I should've eaten a bowl of Kix.
This is one of those places I have driven by a million times, but never visited. It seemed so small and it closes around 8PM, so I would often end up at the 24 hour place across the road.
Finally, today, I popped in for a visit. If you are eating in the restaurant, they will come and take your order. They have beer, wine, and soju, always a plus!
The menu is vast, far bigger than I imagined. I got a melted cheese dog with tomatoes added. The dog has a great snap to it, the bun was FRESH and soft and the tomatoes were very good. The sides are made from scratch, I was surprised by how crisp and tasty the coleslaw was. In fact, it might be my favorite coleslaw!
The inside is cute, great place for kids. The restrooms are in the parking lot.
Support your local, independently owned businesses!
Memo to those complaining about bad service. Please note the "ORDER HERE" signs. You are supposed to order and pay at the counter.
Most people ignore this fact, including me. But then don't be upset when the ONE waitress who is usually on staff can get a little behind since the place has two sides, which are divided by the kitchen.
Family of four. We eat breakfast hear for under $20. No shit.
The best thing is the warm salsa (which is spicy and excellent hangover remedy) that they serve with breakfasts.
Aside from Steak & Eggs, which a friend ordered, I have never heard one complaint about breakfast here.
Burgers, dogs and the rest of the Lunch and Dinner fare are just ok, but the breakfasts are so GD good, and so cheap, you'll think you're in a small town, rather than spitting distance from the studios.
And incidentally, the woman who works during breakfast most days (from New York). She is an AWESOME waitress. And if she ever gets caught behind, she's there giving you some free bonus or taking something off the check, well before you've even thought to ask for any such favor.
EXCELLENT. Oh, and WAY better than waiting in the tourist mess across the street at the old Big Boy.
Ok, it's definitely not my favorite diner, or favorite burger, but I'm down with Papoo's. First off, the name is fantastic in every way. WTF is a hot dog show? And who is Papoo? All great questions. Second, it's been across the street from Bob's for 60 years, and it's still there. The fact that it survived this long says something. Third, the interior is so sad yet awesome, I could spend late nights there drinking milk shakes and eating chili fries. Oh, their food is just pretty good diner food. Nothing super special. But if you want some cheap, terribly fattening food, and you're in the area, might as well ditch the chain fast food and stop here!
I've been going to the Hot Dog Show since I was a young kid. My dad used to go here with his dad too. That should give you a sense of just how long Papoo's Hot Dog Show has been around. We just call it 'The Hot Dog Show' for short.
This place has some delicious, quick, cheap diner food. It isn't for you if you're looking for a healthy meal. There really isn't a single healthy item on the menu. Everything includes some amount of butter, cheese, and red meat. But if artery-clogging comfort food is what you're craving, this is the place for you!
If the name of the place doesn't give you a clue, I always get a hot dog when I'm there. There are many varieties of hot dog available - the bean dog, bacon cheese dog, or all-beef dog to name a few. I've also tried the pastrami sandwich which was delicious. Everything I've had there has been junk food pleasure to the max!
In conclusion, the Hot Dog Show is a great place for some classic diner food. It is a little known piece of retro LA that I would recommend any day!
I go here for the breakfast burritos. Extremely delicious and jam packed with food. Seriously if you hold one of these, the weight will surprise you at just how much they can pack into one.
I've normally gotten these when everyone has had a late night or have been forced to come in on a Saturday (or both). Bonus if you don't want to be conked out all day and opt out of the potatoes they'll just fill it up with meat. My heart may dislike me but I'm my stomaches best friend.
Make sure you go before 11, they're very strict on when they'll serve these.
Update: 6/21/07
The business owner had contacted me and offered a sincere apology over the incident that had happened to me. I will definitely give it another go and will do a revisement after the re-visit.
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Original Review:
It will only take one person to ruin the whole experience for you.
While researching the reviews, it's one of the cool chic place for yummy hot dogs. I'm down with that. The place was accurately described by the past reviewers as being a hip 50's style diner with a cool counter top. Plus with the name of a "Papoo's Hot Dog Show", you just know it's way too cool to be in.
Alas, everything crashes into smithereens when I walked in and barely got greeted by the waitress/server. It just turned into a pissing contest that ruined the whole day for me.
When I walked in, I thought it was funny that she just stood there or don't want to seat me. The place was not closed or anything from what I gathered because there many tables that people are still eating at. Waited patiently to be seated or heck...acknowledged by this young lady behind the counter.
I took the initiative and seat myself at an empty unattended table. Nope, that didn't matter. She still will not bring me any menu or even attempt to service me. Then to throw the whole thing off, another woman came in and ordered something while I was waiting all this time. That was the beginning of an annoying stand off.
So I took myself off the table and went into the counter to order. I ordered the "Naked Hot Dog" with onion rings and a soft drink. The funniest thing was that she wanted me to pay upfront. I thought that was weird to say the least, but I go along with it. Then she asked me if I was with the lady that was ordering before me. I was a little peeved by then because it seemed like she's out of it and I was waiting for her after all that ordeal to be seated. I countered with a no and let that go. Pay the bill and hope the meal is worth that ordeal.
Then it gotten a lot better...she returned and gave me the change by not giving it to me. She had the audacity to put it on the table and slammed the coins on the counter and walked back to she's doing. Unbelievable...
Then, it would had set me off for forever about this whole afternoon. Apparently I noticed that other guests all have their bill paid after their meals. So I thought it was strangely peculiar why I had to pay upfront. Was I being singled out? What's the deal with this?
Then another couple came in and this set me off. They were informed by this young lady politely in that they were no longer serving as a private party was going to take place later on this afternoon. So the couple was turned away, which they understands completely. It sets off in my head...what about my order?
That is how it bugged me when I found out later. My order was packed and placed to carry out. I was already not pleased being totally ignored and the complete lack of courtesy. But now have to endure this? She saw me came in just like the couple, but totally ignored me until I came up to her. Yet she showed the other couple some courtesy of letting them know of the situation, but not me? I wasn't going to be taking it to go as I thought I was going to have a nice pleasant experience in this place, but it all went down hill fast.
At this point, I was just really pissed off and not in a good mood. So I decided to go and forget about this place. To top it off, she packed the stuff and expect me to take a heave ho. I was waiting at the spot that says "Order Here, Pick Up Here". But apparently that does not apply to me as she wouldn't move her feet to bring the items to me as the rude manners continuing on.
Since she wanted me out so badly as she seemed to have things to do, I obliged and make a bat out of hell from that place as fast as I can. Needless to say, I won't be going back there anytime soon.
---------------------------
Was she having an off day?...Yes. Was the place understaffed as it seemed like she had to handled the whole entire place all by herself?... Yes. Who knows, she might not be there in the long terms and might only using this job as a stepping stone in better things to come in her life. However, that doesn't meant it allowed her reason to treat people that way.
The unbelievable incoherent of lousy attitude that she showed plus the lack of courtesy was just too much for me to bare. I won't totally effted the place as the food is not bad.
Do I want to come back here? I won't say never.... I will only come here again if this young lady is not there working.
Too bad, it could have been a great experience.
i have lived in sfv my whole life and started eating here when i was a kid. you can't take it super serious because its called the "hot dog show" not the "ivy" or "nobu." i find the food fantastic. the service, i've never had a problem with and yeah, if its a little busy, you do have go to the counter. i'm not a big hot dog fan (from anywhere including homemade) but i LOVE their burgers. i like them a little more than bob's across the street. they taste real, and that is more important than anything else to me.
First of all, I would like to say I've only had hot dogs all the times I've been here.But those hot dogs are pretty tasty. I especially enjoy the avocado dog,which has a slice of American cheese,a generous portion of avocado and 3 strips of crispy bacon, on a good tasting dog with natural casing&nice bite.Then again you could probably put those three on anything and make it taste good.Also referring to a lot people mentioning the service.They aren't the nicest people , but I don't really care because my food comes out fast and delicious.
I don't think you can call yourself an LA person unless you have visited this run down little historic monument to the meat encased wonderment called: the hot dog.
It's crap for atmosphere (although some will call it 50's diner chic), not a whole lot to look at, but when you are craving a char-broiled
hot dog and are on the Valley side of the hill and the idea of driving to La Brea and Melrose to stand in line at the Hollywood famous PINK's sounds like a nightmare, then give this joint a go.
If anything, just saying you are going to a place called Papoo's Hot Dog Show is worth the couple of bucks you'll spend on a loaded dog :)
Love, love, love Hot Dog Show! Or, as we affectionately refer to it -- "the little red house." I know people who have passed it a million times and don't know what it is -- it's just a little undiscovered prize in the heart of Toluca Lake. Papoo's is not retro - it has actual history and you can feel it when you sit in the red shiny booths. The food's not "LA healthy". But, if you are looking for a good ol' time relaxing breakfast/ lunch/ dinner diner - Papoo's is terrific! I've eaten tons of things on the menu - breakfasts, burgers, hot dogs, salads, and their yummy BTL! The price is very workin' gal friendly and they have the now trendy sweet potato fries. They were totally de-lish, and a steal at only $2.75! -- I just spent $4.50 at "The Counter" in Studio City for the same fries!
To finish out for this happy little reviewer -
You can have a beer with your burger
They have a parking lot.
The service is fine.
There's usually a newspaper lying around somewhere.
The music isn't over powering.
Tasty food and a great place to get comfortable and chill.
Wait, I'm new here. Am I allowed to write reviews of places I've never been? I fucking hope so.
For a short hellish while I lived at the Oakwoods over there on Barham. Daily I would drive by the Papoo's and only wonder and dream about what it was like inside. It's not that I don't eat hot dogs or something. Bacause I do. I just can't stand the possibility of being let down. Being let down by Papoo and what I dream are walking talking high-fiving hot dogs. If there are anything less than high-fiving hot dogs living there, I don't see a reason to live out the rest of this life. NO REASON.
My dream of friendly food is all I have to go on here. Happy hot dogs pretending to lose arm-wrestling matches with Papoo just to see him smile. Doing chores and singing him to sleep as a thank you for the years of support and shelter that he gives these little guys.
What if I were to go in and find myself face to face with some pimply after-schooler who forks a weener into a stale bun and hands it to me in one of those little paper cradles? Or wose yet, what if they only have Pepsi? I HATE PEPSI.
So basicaly what I'm saying is this: I love Papoo's Hot Dog Show. I don't know if the food is any good. I can't speak for the decor or staff. I don't know how much it is or if the portions are large or small, and what's more, I really don't care. I love Papoo's and I don't think I need a reason.
What they're good at, they're great at.
Personal favorites are the pastrami Reuben (served with avocado!) and the veggie Reuben (Swiss cheese, avocado and sauerkraut on rye) and the addictive breakfast burritos.
This was relaxing, and very low key. I had the Hamburger which was good and I liked the fact you could get a wheat bun instead of white.
It was nice just to sit and watch the cars go by in three directions.
They have Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, other lunch platters and the price is low cost.
I have not tried the Hot Dogs, because I just dont like them much.
The Onion Rings were good, I was going to try fries but I am trying to so hard not to eat french fries, as I love French Fries.
The rest rooms were outside and I went to wash up before lunch and when I went back to wash after I ate, I smelled Marijuana in the bathroom and saw employees (I thinK) running when I was comming to the restroom, so...... It was awkward.
Well back to Texas for the Hollidays !!! I 'll be back !!!
I like this place. I love their hot dogs and I love the pastrami sandwhich. Staff is friendly. It's usually busy, but it's worth the wait.
I love this place.
Yes, the exterior looks like a shack, but the food is great and you don't have to wait like you do at say . . . Aroma Cafe.
Great Burger, nice menu, lot's to choose from.
I have the Super Buger there most everytime I go.
My gal has tried out different things on the menu and all seem to turn out good.
Good atmosphere and people.
I lived catty-corner to this restaurant for 18 years and ate there quite a bit because of the convenience. I had to laugh at the one reviewers problem with the waitress. It's really not a sit-down kind of restaurant. Most people order at the counter, but if they're not busy they'd take your order at a table. If you order at the counter, of course you pay right there! Do you pay after you eat at McDonalds?
There's one waitress, a middle-aged blond woman who I think is a kick, but I've seen her be rude. I'm not sure if the same lady owns it, but she was awfully nice.
The food is ok. It's like they buy everything in bulk at Smart and Final and just cook it up. You know, big bags of frozen fries, zucchini, preformed meat patties, etc. But it's tasty.
Big sign says Papoos Hot Dog Show. There's even a giant hot dog on the sign. "Seven specialty dogs", they boast. So I laughed when I asked the server what she recommended and not one of the things she mentioned was a hot dog. After ordering them I now understand why. And take a good look at the picture of this place. You see the red and white Coke-a-Cola signs everywhere? Well that's as close as you'll get to a Coke product here, they serve Pepsi only. False advertising? I don't know but I think the folks at Coke Inc. ought to look into this.
My very first review. I'm just about to head over for one of Papoo's excellent breakfast burritos. Being a connoiseur of the breakfast burrito, I find the variety to be made here to be one of a kind. While it is large (sometimes a good thing when combining breakfast and lunch), it can be overwhelming. However, it is also the perfect food item to share and they'll gladly cut it in two for you.
Papoos however, is known for their hot dogs which come in numerous varieties. The chili is pretty darn tasty, especially when topped with either American cheese or Parmesan. The larger hot dogs are a bit overwhelming as they come in a french roll. Generally, I have to eat these with a knife and fork.
I'm partial to the burgers here, especially the Super Burger which comes with avocado, bacon and cheese. I also usually order the onion rings which are huge and crispy. This place is all Americana at it's best and greasiest.
I love thier breakfasts. I usually order eggs benedict, traditional. The omelettes are good and I had pancakes recently. This is a place that is also a piece of LA history. It started as a hot dog stand and grew into the restauant/diner it is today. The chili dogs are decent. It's not the best or the worst place for food, but stay for the small neighborhood feel and the friendly kind staff.
I also had real shitty service when I last visited here. As far as the food, a more accurate name might be Poo Poo's Hot Dog's Slow. No need to visit ever again. Kimberly S. really said it all.
When it comes to wieners, never let it be said that our beloved Stephy S. would steer you wrong. Even though I worked just down the block for almost four years before I finally ventured in, The Show did not let me down. Hot dogs are something I only eat when I get a craving. Papoo's blows Pinks away, hands down. There is no jacked up ordering process, surly staff or other Pinks-like stuff to deal with here. Fast, efficient service and a damn good weenie at a price you can't beat. I was half-hoping there would be a real show of some kind, given the name of the place. I don't know...maybe like a live stage version of the old dancing concession snacks cartoon that used to run before every drive-in movie. Alas, other than the whacked out decor, the only show at Papoo's is the food itself. Well worth the price of admission.
you can get the same if you just heat up some wrinkled old ball park franks better idea go to larrys
Always looked forward to Friday nights, and a stop at the "Hot dog show." Never did have a hot dog, always chose a burger and those delicious steak fries. Service was always good, and then across the street to Bob's for the car show. If you ever watch the old movies "Invasion of the body snatchers", you will see the old "Hot dog show" as it looked in the fifties, in the scene where the two cops are grabbing a bite to eat. Soon this place will be just a memory, so enjoy while you can. Too bad for the bad reviews, as i came here for years, and always enjoyed the " back in time" experience. I miss it!!!!!!!
Papoo's is pretty good. I finally dropped by yesterday after living about 3 minutes away for 2 years. They were about to close (it was close to 8) but the counter-gal happily took our order and even had time to explain to me what the french fries were like. I ordered an avocado cheeseburger and fries and my boyfriend ordered a chili burger with a side of baked beans. We had to get our grub to go because they were about to close but when we made it home and took a whiff it was spectacular. We took our spectacular whiffs and sank our teeth into the one of the best burgers I've had in Burbank. It's not as good as Jim's in Boyle Heights but it's close. It's not as fancy as Mo's across the street with all the fix-ins and leather booths either but it will indeed do.
The french fries were kinda bleh. Totally frozen out of the bag fries. At least that's what they tasted like.
Added bonus: They have a pretty awesome MS.Pac Man arcade game along with a few others.
I admit that for greasy home cookin, this is a great option. Tried to resist for awhile, but it was right by my old workplace and my co-workers went all the time. And well after eating a tuna melt there with the fat steak fries, how can you go wrong. Total comfort food and cheap to boot!
This restaurant has a strange payment structure. You order at the counter, sit down, waitress brings food, you consume food, waitress brings bill, you take bill to counter and then pay. OR alternatively you may leave the proper amount of cash at the table, weigh it down with a water glass and leave. Leaving isn't always easy either because there are two back doors and one leads into a little outdoor back area of sorts that is covered by an awning and sits about four tables. If you walk in there you have no choice but to smile politely and turn around and then exit the other backdoor into the parking lot. Also, be warned that if entering the building from the parking lot (very nice feature by the way as there is NO parking at lunch time in Toluca Lake anywhere near the Bobs Big Boy) there are conversely two entrance doors, one of which leads you into a corridoor that forces you to walk all the way around the front of the restaurant ,which has a circular counter where you can also sit , all the way around to the back where you would have been instantly had you taken the other entrance door. The place is a bit like a house of mirrors in that respect. They also have an old Galactica game (or is it Centipede? Pacman?), that normally goes unplayed and a loud TV. The waitresses seem just a bit tragic. I recommend a double veggie burger with cheese but dont have them grill the onions. As good as that sounds, somehow this place turns them into dental floss, keep it raw or discard of it all together. Fries are good. They don't do veggie dogs. They do a veggie ruben which consists of saurkraut, avocado and cheese on rye. I've had it twice but it hasn't called me back since. Hey this place is worth a try just for the experience. And I loved the high fiving hot dogs, they were the coolest.
dirty place & the food and service SUCK.
The Big Deal $4.99
Neighborhood: North Hollywood
Sandwich Specials Daily!
Neighborhood: Griffith Park/Los…
Neighborhood: Toluca Lake
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Burbank
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Burbank
Category: Burgers
Toluca Lake, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Toluca Lake
Category: American (Traditional)
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