About Us

About Pearl’s Red Hots

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The Legacy is Real. The Hot Dogs? Unreal.

 

Welcome to Pearl’s Red Hots, where classic Chicago comfort food gets a flavor-packed upgrade—and a whole lot of personality. Pearl’s is a nostalgic-yet-modern tribute to Brad’s late mother, Pearl—the matriarch who always had lunch ready and a deep love for a chili dog (fittingly, we named ours The Pearl). The lease was signed on what would have been her 101st birthday.

 

Rooted in tradition and built on quality, Pearl’s brings an authentic taste of Chicago to Los Angeles. We proudly serve 100% Vienna Beef hot dogs, just like you’d find back home, alongside Italian beef piled high, juicy burgers, and made-to-order favorites. Our bread and giardiniera are sourced straight from Chicago, and every detail—from the snap of the dog to the balance of toppings—is done right.

 

Brad Roen: Commander in Beef

Commander in Beef. Serial Entrepreneur. Reluctant Retiree.

 

Meet Brad Roen, the fearless force behind Pearl’s Red Hots. After four decades of shaking up LA’s restaurant scene—from his very first venture, a Chicago-style hot dog joint called Beamers in Agoura Hills to the neighborhood favorite Vitello’s—Brad finally hung up his apron… briefly.

 

Retirement lasted all of five minutes.

 

Now he’s back where it all started—at the counter, on the grill, and fully in his element. Pearl’s Red Hots is a full-circle moment and a tribute to his mother Pearl, whose name graces the awning and whose spirit lives in every bite.

 

Whether he’s crafting the perfect dog, swapping stories with guests, or talking shop with fellow food lovers, Brad proves that some people don’t retire—they just reload.

 

Valerie Roen: Brains Behind the Buns

Designer by Passion. Operator by Nature. Slovak Girl with Serious Bite.

 

Valerie Roen is the creative mind and operational force behind Pearl’s Red Hots. While Brad brings the beef, Valerie brings the vision behind the scenes—shaping everything from the brand identity and menu design to the website, social media, technology, and day-to-day systems that keep the operation running smoothly.

 

After a 20+ year career as an Automation & Controls Engineer, Valerie decided to trade in blueprints for color palettes. Equal parts analytical and creative, she’s always had an eye for strategy and a talent for making the right call—skills that have helped her build a brand, streamline operations, and even win The Price Is Right twice! Today, she blends that analytical mindset with her design expertise to build a brand that is creative at heart and engineered for success.

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She also proudly represents anyone who’s ever asked, “What can I actually eat here?” With gluten-free and plant-based options thoughtfully built into the menu, the answer at Pearl’s is simple: plenty.