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All the United States Oregon Rockaway Beach The Original Pronto Pup
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

The Original Pronto Pup

Ride a mechanical corn dog at the alleged birthplace of America's favorite deep-fried wiener.

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Added By
Ian Lefkowitz
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The World’s Largest Corn Dog is a 30-foot-long fiberglass structure on the roof of the Original Pronto Pup.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
The World’s Largest Corn Dog is a 30-foot-long fiberglass structure on the roof of the Original Pronto Pup.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
No, these are Pronto Pups, not glizzies on a stick.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
The Original Pronto Pup features a mechanical corn dog ride out front.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
Of course there’s merch at the Original Pronto Pup.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
The Original Pronto Pup is crowned by the world’s largest corn dog.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
The interior of the Original Pronto Pup has a retro vibe.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
The historic photo   heyyouoverthere / Atlas Obscura User
The origin story   heyyouoverthere / Atlas Obscura User
The mechanical corndog   heyyouoverthere / Atlas Obscura User
  jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Rockaway Beach, Oregon doesn’t seem like the type of place with a notable culinary history. This small beachfront community is a popular but remote destination along the Oregon Coast. However, one staple of American cuisine can credibly claim Rockaway Beach as its birthplace: the corn dog.

The origins of the corn dog are surprisingly murky, however, Rockaway Beach has a strong claim to the throne. This origin story begins with a glum hot dog salesman named George Boyington, who was throwing stale hot dog buns to seagulls after a rainy Labor Day weekend ruined his stock in 1939. Looking for a way to create buns on demand, he and his wife Versa took some cornmeal batter, found a deep fryer, and hot dog history was born.

Is this story the truth? Well, as the saying goes, history is written by the wieners, and there’s no doubt that George had a knack for promotion. George and Versa scaled up production of the novelty food item, now named the Pronto Pup, and Portland’s 1941 Pacific International Livestock Exposition became the debutante ball for the hot dog on a stick, as more than 15,000 Pronto Pups were sold, becoming a smash hit .

The Boyingtons would go on to franchise the Pronto Pup, which remains a popular item even today in the upper Midwest, particularly in the state of Minnesota, where it is a state fair staple, often sold alongside unbranded corn dogs. There’s some controversy as to whether Pronto Pups and corn dogs are the same food item, as Pronto Pups are made with pancake batter. The official line is usually: “All Pronto Pups are corn dogs, but not all corn dogs are Pronto Pups.”

Pronto Pups made their glorious return to the Oregon Coast in 2016, the brainchild of a Portland-based attorney named Anthony McNamer, who was shocked that the Pronto Pup’s birthplace didn’t have a statue, or even a corn dog stand of its own. He built The Original Pronto Pup as a roadside attraction, complete with a 30-foot-long fiberglass corn dog perched upon the roof, presumably the world's largest. Visitors can also ride a custom-built mechanical corn dog, complete with saddle, for just a couple of quarters.

In 2021, during the pandemic, McNamer sold The Original Pronto Pup to Diane Langer and Doug Hummer, a couple who sold their business and moved from Washington state to Rockaway Beach to keep the Pup operating in the same spirit. The gregarious couple offer a variety of corn dogs, including several vegetarian and specialty options, as well as soft-serve ice cream and conversation. And when you are riding a mechanical corn dog, with a Pronto Pup in hand, you’ll truly know the taste of Rockaway Beach’s greatest invention.

Related Tags

Americana Sausages Hot Dogs Fast Food

Know Before You Go

The Original Pronto Pup is open year-round, but hours and days may vary based upon the season. Check the restaurant website for details. A note to any enthusiastic corn dog riders: the mechanical corn dog is only in operation during business hours.

Community Contributors

Added By

ianlefk

Edited By

Osage, jyackabonis, heyyouoverthere

  • Osage
  • jyackabonis
  • heyyouoverthere

Published

January 5, 2024

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Sources
  • https://www.thedailymeal.com/1271663/mysterious-origins-corn-dog/
  • https://www.koin.com/local/oregon-coast/ours-is-bigger-oscar-mayer-wienermobile-stops-at-pronto-pup-in-rockaway-beach/
  • https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2021/02/the-original-pronto-pup-popular-corn-dog-restaurant-on-oregon-coast-is-up-for-sale.html
  • https://www.pdxmonthly.com/travel-and-outdoors/2022/06/pronto-pup-corn-dog-origin-rockaway-beach
  • https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/16/first-corn-dog-made-in-oregon-pronto-pup/
  • https://pdx.eater.com/2016/3/17/11256552/pronto-pup-grand-opening-rockaway-beach
The Original Pronto Pup
602 US-101
Rockaway Beach, Oregon, 97136
United States
45.604681, -123.945127
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Twin Rocks

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

miles away

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Tillamook, Oregon

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach

Oregon

Places 2

Nearby Places

Twin Rocks

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

miles away

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Tillamook Creamery

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach

Oregon

Places 2

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