LOVE AT FIRST BITE : CUPID'S STILL COOKING AFTER HALF-CENTURY HOT DOG STAND SERVES UP FUN, NOSTALGIC FARE.

Byline: Deborah Adamson Daily News Staff Writer

In the 1950s, the San Fernando Valley was rocking with guys in slicked-back, ducktail hair dating girls in poodle skirts and cruising around Van Nuys Boulevard in tail-finned American cars.

They met at local hangouts such as Cupid's Hot Dogs in Van Nuys, ordering a chili-blanketed dog in a bun plus a soda for 35 cents.

Cupid's - which started business in 1946 - is still cooking in every sense of the word.

Today and Sunday, Cupid's will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its six Valley stores by offering hot dogs for the discounted price of a dollar and drinks for 50 cents, after taxes.

People go there as much for the memories as for the food.

``It's nostalgia,'' said Jane Stephens of Upland, lining up for a hot dog Friday afternoon in Van Nuys. She was raised in the Valley and has been going to Cupid's for decades.

``When you grow up on this stuff, it brings back memories. Good memories of meeting friends after a football game on Friday night,'' she said. ``Did you see (the TV show) `Happy Days?' It was like that.''

On June 17, 1946, Richard and Berniece Walsh opened the first Cupid's at Burbank and Lankershim boulevards in North Hollywood.

The business was called Walsh's Hot Dogs Tamales. The name ``Cupid's'' came to Richard Walsh through a dream.

``He envisioned it and dreamed the name,'' said Rick Walsh, the founder's son who took over as president after his parents died in the early 1980s.

The Van Nuys location opened in 1957, followed by a stand in Canoga Park in 1962 and one in Northridge in 1964, which is co-owned by old family friends.

Three more stores opened from 1988 to 1995 - in Simi Valley, Chatsworth and Tarzana. The Chatsworth and Tarzana stores are licensed to other operators.

In 1988, Cupid's Inc. moved its headquarters from Canoga Park to Simi Valley. The company now has 26 employees.

Rick Walsh expects a Thousand Oaks store to open in November at the new Promenade in the Westlake shopping center. Some new store operators will expand the menus.

But Walsh doesn't plan to make drastic changes at his own stores. After all, it took the chain years to add chips, ketchup, relish and cheese to its menu.

That's just fine for customers Don and Ginny Dufloth of North Hollywood, who have been going to Cupid's for at least 35 years.

``When we started coming here, the hot dogs were 25 cents,'' said Don Dufloth.

``That was before we got married,'' Ginny said between bites.

``We were here probably on a cheapskate date,'' joked her husband.

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Photo: (color) Cupid's Hot Dogs owner Rick Walsh holds a ra ck of famous chili dogs that will be served up for $1 this weekend to celebrate the stores' 50th anniversary.

John McCoy/Daily News