Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
In the new TV spot for the upcoming Kristen Stewart vehicle "The Runaways," the relatively short-lived but fondly recalled SoCal fast-food chain shows up as "Pup 'n' Fries." But the logo, color scheme and store design are vintage Pup 'n' Taco, which the Wikipedia entry says was opened in 1956 or so by Russell Wendell, who also gave the L.A. area the Big DoNut chain. Pup 'n' Taco pursued the cheap dogs and tacos model, obviously, and was distinguished by pouring RC Cola (not Coke) and flavored slushes. Taco Bell swallowed up the Pup 'n' Taco brand in 1984.
BTW: The landmark Randy's Donuts store at Manchester and LaCienega was originally Big DoNut #2, per Wikipedia.
* Found!: Reader Alan Hudosh emails that the fictional Pup 'n' Fries in the spot looks like the Home Plate Burgers at Reseda and Saticoy. After a quick look at Google Maps, I'm sure he's right. Funnily enough, the Pup 'n' Taco store that was a few blocks down at Reseda and Sherman Way (that's in the heart of Reseda) came up in conversation in the past week — during lunch at an Iranian restaurant in Westwood.