Hot Dog LA
"The hot dog stand is an outpost of antimodernity in a world relentlessly determined to be modern." - Bruce Kraig

With so many transplants from New York City, I guess it isn't surprising that Los Angeles has a hot dog culture. Compared to other cities where I have lived (Seattle, Washington DC, and San Francisico), people here seem to appreciate the hot dog.

Pink’s (709 North La Brea Boulevard, Los Angeles, 323-931-4223) When people are talking about hot dogs in Los Angeles, chances are they are talking about Pink's. It is the place where everybody goes day and night. Part of the thrill is taking in the scene. I've been in line at 2AM on a Saturday morning when the Club goers needed solid food. I was once served a chili dog by mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa. But I don't know if I've been in line with any movie stars as my mind was on the menu. I recommend a chili dog.

Aloha Island Hot Dog (630 N. Sepulveda El Segundo): R.I.P. Gone, but not forgotten. This was a place in a mini-mall just a mile or so south of LAX. It was owned by a Korean-American man who drove in from Hacienda Heights every morning. I went there the first time to have a Chicago dog, but the best thing about the place was that the menu was a combination of Korean fastfood and hotdogs. One of the things that makes LA an interesting place to live is the mixture of cultures. One time I even ordered a Chicago dog with a side of kimchee.

Rubin’s Red Hot (15322 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, 818-905-6515) Just as you pass under the 405 as you are driving East on Ventura Blvd. on your right you'll see Rubin's Red Hot in its small modern building made from an old piece of the Chicago El. But try to find a way into the parking lot or through the drivein window and even a native needs a Thomas Guide. This is the place to come for a great big and tasty Chicago Dog on a nice onion roll. Not 100% authentic, but very good.

The Stand (17000 Ventura Blvd, Encino, 11A to 9P, 818-788-2700) The Stand is another new entry into the LA hot dog scene. Just image an upscale hot dog spot where everyone will find something to like and there is plenty of room to sit, inside or out in the garden. Not only that, the hot dogs are great. The Stand has several hotdogs of their own invention (prairie dog with corn relish and cheddar or the big blue with blue cheese, sauteed onions and tomatoes.) They have many different sausages, toppings, and red or green chili. It's a very nice place to go when you are with friends whose idea of eating doesn't normally include hot dogs. It even sells a "Greek" salad.

The Wienery (21028 Ventura Blvd.Woodland Hills 818-704-5556 www.thewienery.com) Here is a none too remarkable hot dog and sandwich shop.

Carney's (12601 Ventura Blvd. Los Angeles 818-761-8300 www.carneytrain.com) The big thing that you'll remember about Carney's is that it is in a train car, or more truthfully in several train cars on wheels and their own piece of track. The sausage in a Carney's dog is excellent, the toppings are just so-so. Their Chicagoan is simply a dog with mustard, relish and onions. I recommend that you try your hot dog "spicy style." They split it, grill it with chili peppers and sauerkraut. I think that it is the tastiest item on the menu.

Wiener Factory (14917 Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles) A friend who is very knowledgable about hot dogs in Los Angeles recommended that I go here, but nothing about it seemed memorable to me. I enjoyed his enthusiasm more than the sausages.

Oki Dog (5056 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles) This is a place made famous by a "gut-bomb." On a large flour tortilla the staff places two hotdogs, chili, cheese, hot pastrami, pickles and mustard and they roll it up into a burrito. Yes, I have eaten one. Once.

Jody Maroni (2011 Ocean Front Walk in Venice) Jody Maroni mostly makes big sausage sandwiches with healthy ingredients. Things like turkey and cilantro. I'd bet most of the hot dogs are sold to kids while their parents focus on duck sausages and grilled onions. Not a bad choice when you run into one of the chain of restaurants at a food court or at LAX (bratwurst is a great airport breakfast). No reason to drive to Venice unless you need to visit Muscle Beach.

Chroni’s Sandwiches (5825 E Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, California 322-728-7806) Chroni's is an East LA institution. It is well worth the stop for a couple of chili dogs.

East Coast Dogs and Deli (2609 Olive Blvd, Burbank) A little deli-sandwich shop that makes Chicago dogs or so the sign said. But the staff wasn't so sure the day I visited. I talked them through it and I ate it. Not bad, but not a confidence-building experience.

Skooby's Hot Dogs (6654 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 12 - 10P Fri & Sat til 230A 323-HOT-DOGS www.skoobys.com) Here's a new place in town. It's a hole-in-the-wall, directly across the street from Musso & Franks in Hollywood. Every one of the millions of visitors to Hollywood should come here before they venture out on their own. The hot dogs are good. A great sausage on the best roll in LA. California lemonade, freshly squeezed, is the drink and the french fries are superb. Tourists and the rest of us can have a great snack and pick up the well-written Skooby's Practical Guide to Hollywood.

Original Tommy’s (Many locations all over town, but the original Original is at the intersection of Rampart and Beverly Blvd.) You go to Tommy's for the chili. The chili is bright orange, not so spicy but very thick and greasy. It goes on hamburgers, french fries and hot dogs with pickles on the top. It isn't the best place for a hot dog, but then again that's not why you go there.