San Antonio, Texas: Frank's Hog Stand, Inside a Pig

Pink pig building is a rare example of porcine programmatic architecture.

Frank’s Hog Stand, Giant Pig

Here at Frank's Hog Stand is what may be the last surviving programmatic pig building in the entire country. The giant pink pig was believed to have been used to offer shelter for the car hops during its many years of service. It disappeared without a trace some years ago only to reappear in the early 1990s outside of town abandoned in an empty lot where it was being lived in. The owner managed to get the pig back to this location and it was loving restored by artist Carlos Cortés whose family has been creating faux cement decorative sculpture in San Antonio for the past 60 years. In fact Cortés open air studio is located directly across the street from the giant pig and a visit there to see his work should not be missed.

San Antonio is home today to [one] original pig stand restaurant that was once part of thriving Texas' nationally franchised chain that reached all across America in the 1920s and 1930s. The Pig Stand company invented the franchise and the drive-In restaurant with cars being service by "car hops." The Pig Stands also introduced the drive-through window and invented fried onion rings and Texas Toast in the 1920s followed by chicken fried steak in the 1940s. Their most famous meal is the trademarked Pig Sandwich still served today at both restaurants.

[Phil Pasquini, 01/31/2010]