2.01.2010

"Hot dog!" ~Jimmy Stewart, It's a Wonderful Life

If you don't like processed meat, well, this isn't the blog post for you. But after sampling Dogtown Dogs last night I began to compare all of the hot dogs I've ever had. Can't quite rank them just like I can't pick a favorite kid (if I had kids): they are all wonderful in their own ways. 71 days before Dodger Stadium opening day but my mouth is already watering. Maybe this year Gantt will actually take me to the game. Favorite hot dogs, people?

Dodger Dogs. (Dodger Stadium) You have to be there and David and I like them with lots of ketchup and onions.

Nathan's Famous. (Coney Island) Yum. Something about that snap of a Nathan's.

The Stand. (LA) http://www.thestandlink.com/
For those of you in LA, there are a couple of locations and after sampling several from their menu, I've liked all of them. My favorite is the one I ate after my testing fast last year, The Big Red Chili Dog, but anything JP brings on hot dog Thursday at Emerson works for me. Their homemade potato chips are delicious too.

Pinks (LA) http://www.pinkshollywood.com/
Waiting in that long line in Hollywood seems to make these dogs even tastier. David swears by the Huwell Howser Dog and I usually go with the chili cheese but I just saw the LA Phil Conductor Gustavo Dudamel Dog which looks all kinds of yummy.

Dogtown Dogs (LA) http://dogtowndog.com/
You have to track down Dogtown on twitter to find out where they are, but it's worth the work. The Morning Commute: bacon-wrapped all-beef dog topped with a fried egg. So tasty tasty. The tater tots are good too.

Oki's Dog (LA)
On Fairfax by LA High, this spot wraps pastrami, chili and hot dogs in a giant tortilla. Uhmazing. The owner is from Okinawa so it's no wonder I like them.

Puka Dog (Kauai) http://www.pukadog.com/
Kauai sucks, but these hot dogs were a perfect snack on the beach between rounds of mai tais. They wrap polish sausages, bake it in a bread bun and top it with fruity relishes and garlic lemon secret sauce. Mmmmm.

I can't wait to try Let's Be Frank... but any other recommendations from anywhere from Portland to China are welcome!

9 comments:

  1. Ok - first a reflection on the hot dog stand of my youth - Yacco's of Allentown, PA. Still the gold standard for a chili dog. I have been known to eat as many as four in a sitting when we go back east and make my mother bring the chili with her when she visits.

    Pink's - disappointing (insider tip - no line on Thanksgiving Day)

    The Stand - Really good, my favorite is also the big red chili dog, especially delivered to my classroom

    Wurstkuche in downtown LA - I haven't been yet, but I have heard really good things. Technically grilled sausages, but still. Wanna go?

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  2. For the record, I have no control over the Dodger opening day tickets, but I can't wait for the first Dodger Dog of 2010.

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  3. @Heather, yes, field trip for downtown dogs. I'm in.

    @Gantt, no control, uh, yeah, whatever.

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  4. I want to try that Morning Commute dog! Add this to the LA eating list: Mexico City, Roscoe's, and hot dogs. I will stay an extra day to accommodate.

    And when you come back to Chicago, I will take you here: http://www.hotdougs.com/

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  5. I second the notion for wanting to try a Morning Commute dog. I also enjoy a Costco dog. Something about shopping in bulk brings out my ferocious appetite for processed meat with lots of sauerkraut and spicy mustard.

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  6. All visitors to LA will be subject to hot dog tasting throughout our great city (Dogtown, Costco or otherwise). But be prepared though, Ray, the prices are all LA. That place in Chicago is practically giving away hot dogs! I'm in! But they lose points for naming a dog after Keira Knightley.

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  7. Fun post! I second the Puka Dog, although for me it's the veggie dog, of course. And the veggie dogs at Wurstkuche are worth eating--fries are great too. You just have to deal with the crowd is all.

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  8. Kat, Have you found a good time to hit up Wurstkuche? I want to try it out but fear the hipster crowds.

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  9. Otto's, Portland Oregon, SE Woodstock and 42nd, They are out there every day for lunch, good, simple and made right there. mmmmm.....my favorite let's get lunch on the way home from preschool...

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