CORNDOGS!!! Who makes the best?!

[BrookieStyles]

I have been a corndog lover for years and have noticed a recent uprising of gourmet corndogs on menus in LA. Just last week I tried a kobe corndog at Boa which was a letdown, and I know that Sunset Beach also has a gourmet version on their menu, which I will be trying very shortly. Is there any other place that serves a killer corndog I'm not aware of??? I live in West Hollywood but am willing to drive!!!

Thanks for your help :)

[VanGoghX]

I had a pretty darned good corndog (for just .99 cents!) at a place called Tastee (I think it used to be a Tastee Freeze) in Perris (168 East 4th Street, Perris, CA). I don't know how it compares to the others, but it's definitely a whole hell of a lot better than the frozen ones you buy in the supermarkets.

[Peripatetic]

Welcome to Chowhound VanGoghX. Unfortunately Perris is in Riverside County, so it's out-of-scope for the LA board. You might want to try posting on the California board: http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/3

[Peripatetic]

Inasmuch as VanGoghX has revived this ancient thread, are there any noteworthy updates?

Here's what I have as the state-of-play:

- In 2009 Disney's Little Red Wagon changed their recipe and it's no longer as good as it used to be: http://blogs.ocweekly.com/stickaforkinit/really/chowhounds-suspect-that-disney/

- Larkins is in a death spiral: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/838559

- The corn dog at Dog Haus in Pasadena isn't bad, but the hot dogs they use are mealy and inferior and really let down the overall product (personal opinion).

- The original location of Hot Dog on a Stick in Santa Monica is still decent but they continue to use turkey dogs only.

Any omissions or updates? Is there someone making an amazing corn dog with a natural casing Vienna or Hoffy dog out there?

[VanGoghX]

My bad! This thread was the first (and most interesting) that popped up when I looked for "best corndogs". Missed the fact that it was specific to LA County.
On top of that, I looked at the most recent reply date and noticed that it was May 21... only a month ago, totally missing the fact that it was four years ago.
Too much cornmeal batter between my ears.

[Peripatetic]

No problem. It's topic worthy of an update, and don't mind if it takes an errant post to revive it.

There was a more recent thread here of people looking for all-beef corn dogs, but it's sparse on info: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/783159

Just for info, is the Tastee corn dog an all-beef corn dog? At ".99 cents" (I suspect you meant "99 cents"!) I have to think it's turkey.

[GK in SO]

There's a couple of stands right at the foot of the Santa Monica Pier. The one closest to the pier has amazing corn dogs - perfectly crunchy and delicious batter, and a tasty dog inside. Combined with the crisp ocean air and people watching, it can't be beat!

[tatertotsrock]

I am soooo in love with the CORN DOGS at
LARKINS
in Eagle Rock.
They are on the lunch menu...made with hot links so they are on the wonderfully spicey side and they make the mustard in house...so good!
Bring a friend because you get two for the order and they are big and wonderful!
Enjoy!

[lovetoroq]

Kosher Corn Dogs, yum! Is the OC swap meet the same place as the OC fair? Even though they didn't have deep fried pickles, one of the vendors allowed us to purchase a big sour pickle from another vendor and they dipped it and fried it and sliced it for no charge. I was in heaven!

[jerics]

If you really want the best corn dog head to the OC swap meet on any weekend except during the annual fair.This is the only place I know of that dips Hebrew National hotdogs into that delicious honey batter and frys them in front of you.Best part is that they cost less than 2 bucks.Most places use the cheapest dog they can find this is the closest thing there is to a gourmet corn dog.They also sell beer in the next door booth,cant get that at Disneyland even after you pay over 60 bucks to get in!

[mlgb]

They have a beer truck in California Adventure, in the Pacific Wharf area, which is on the way to the corndogs in the pier fun zone at DCA.

[frank828]

i just had a corndog on tuesday at california adventure. I asked for it with no chips and it was no problem.

i walked around with a glass of red wine and a corndog. haha it was great

[Dommy]

*sigh* And that is what makes it truly the happiest place on earth....

--Dommy!

[tjb3p]

At the farmer's market at 3rd and fairfax there's a place that serves a good corndog. It's the deli right next to the coffee shop. I think they use kosher dogs, but it's been a while.

[modernist]

i just had fun fresh corndogs at the microsoft launch party for their doomed "zune" ipod follower.

they were bite sized corndogs about two inches long. i ate like 5 of them! i dont know who catered the party but maybe some hardcore folks can find out...

the other appetizers were pretty good too.

[OCBites]

Jerry's Dogs does a surprisingly good one. Super fresh-hot. They'r ein Santa Ana/Tustin and La Habra.

[young_chower]

Ok... I don't have an anual pass and don't want a designer corn dog from Boa. Where can I go?

[sel]

Exactly! I thought that there were no limits as to what I would do for good chow but I was wrong! I will drive hundreds of miles (sometimes even thousands) for a reportedly great street table, cart, truck, stand or restaurant!!! But I won't do Disney for a corn dog, the parking charge plus admission is just toooo much!!!

So where can I get a great corn dog without expensive parking + admission charges and I can enjoy it in 501's and a t-shirt!!!

[monku]

Only place I can think of is your local food court...Hot Dog on a Stick.

[Curt the Soi Hound]

Ok, here's the deal:

You can park in Downtown Disney's parking area free for 3 hours.
After you pass through security, walk to the "Guest Services" window to the left of Disneyland's main entrance.
Tell them you're going in to get a corn dog only.

They will run a charge slip for full admission.
When you return, within 1 hour, show your reciept and they will return your charge slip.

This is the process for "normal" shopping within the park.
I don't know why it wouldn't apply to picking up corn dogs.

[sel]

I just may give that a try, thanks!

[Curt the Soi Hound]

Went to the park yesterday and checked with guest services.
They will allow shopping for corn dogs.

In Disneyland, the corn dogs are at the little red truck, north end of Main Street, to the right.
In DCA, the Corn Dog Castle is a bit more of a trek.
You'll have to navigate to the rear of the park.

[sel]

Thanks again, now I have to make the journey!

[Dommy]

wow... That is great... I had heard that you can do that, but have never tried... :)

Of course my whole reason for rec'ing it is not that I EXPECTED people to DL JUST for a corndog, but we all end up there for some reason or another and it's' nice to have some good grub to look forward to! :)

--Dommy!

[kingkong5]

In addition to the corn dogs at Disneyland, you could start a whole thread on the wonders of Disneyland food! Although I would say that it's an awful long walk from Downtown Disney parking to the corn dog sales places, I would prefer the Wienerschnitzel drive thru.

[Curt the Soi Hound]

"it's an awful long walk from Downtown Disney parking to the corn dog sales places"

Besides checking out the shops of Downtown Disney, the walk is a pretty good idea after that dog!!!

And then there's those turkey legs!!!

http://cheapeatsbangkok.com/photos/di...

[Curt the Soi Hound]

The Disney dogs are all beef.
That's part of their appeal.

But, including admission, they will run about $70.

[stevedoggiedogg]

I have yet to find a corndog that isn't a chicken frank inside. Why do they put crummy bird dogs in corn dogs?!

Steve Doggie-Dogg
www.hotdogspot.com

[Brioche For The Girl]

My sentiments exactly, ipsedixit!

[BrookieStyles]

I would definitely go to Disneyland just for the corndog...and mauybe a ride on the teacups!!! I paid $11 for my "kobe" corndog at Boa and it didn't wasn't near as yummy as Hot Dog On A Stick...Sunset Beach & Disneyland are next!

Thanks guys, I will give you a full report!!!!

[kingkong5]

It's not called the OC Swap Meet anymore, but on weekends where the fairgrounds are in Costa Mesa, they still have the swap meet (it's called OC Marketplace or something like that now). There is a stand that makes freshly dipped corn dogs there too, and they're about $2.50 I think. Very Very good, especially with a beer followed by walking around looking at all of the swap meet junk for sale.

[ipsedixit]

Hot Dog on a Stick.

Check your local malls ...

http://hotdogonastick.com/

[Kevitivity]

I went and tried a Hot Dog on a Stick from the Arcadia Westfield mall a few weeks back. It had easily been at least 25 years since the last time I had one. I found the external corn breading to be very bland. The dog itself seemed over processed and bland as well... The fries were nothing to write home about either. Over all, the impression I got was that this food was "tuned" for young children.

I can however report that the lemonade was great.

[Dommy]

Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure. At DL, it's the cart right off of main street. In CA, it's the Hot Dog Castle towards the lower corner of the park. These are FRESH battered, good spiced dog BEAUTIIES... :)

--Dommy!

[kingkong5]

I agree, plus they're ginormous corn dogs. In DL they're in the red wagon, and in DCA they're in the Corn Dog Castle. A little pricey though, when I need my corn dog fix I've been known to go for them at Wienerschnitzel, and right now they're on special for $0.79 each.

My favorite part? Getting down to that little nugget of batter at the bottom of the stick, so good!

[elmomonster]

Concur on Disneyland's corn dogs. I've been enjoying these for years. It's gotten more and more expensive these days, but then what isn't at the park.

http://elmomonster.blogspot.com

[sku]

And if you're one of those chowhounds who would go to Disneyland just for the corn dog, you are talking about one astronomically priced dog!

[kingkong5]

Well, considering that I live less than 2 miles from Disneyland, and I'm also an Annual Passholder, getting the corn dogs is pretty easy and lighter on the wallet ;-)

They cost about $5 though, so it's not exactly cheap eats even if there wasn't a cost to get into the park. They are, however, much better than the hot dog on a stick.

[elmomonster]

Me too. Annual Passport holder that is.

But I think the price of a corn dog is now something to the order of $8 now. But it includes a bag of greasy Lay's chips! Woo hoo! Tourist-trappy goodness!

http://elmomonster.blogspot.com

[Dommy]

At DL, they just let you buy the Corndog, but in DCA you have to buy the whole 'meal'...

--Dommy!

[writergirl]

Actually you can get just the corndog at DCA if you ask
(it's not on the menu) but you only save around $.70.

[Dommy]

I did ask and was DENIED... Grrr... Perhaps it depends on the cast member you get! :)

--Dommy!

[Alice]

just had one tonight. really great batter, juicy hot dog, not too salty. $5.80 for corn dog and bag of lays chip.

[writergirl]

That sucks! I got a corn dogs sans chips in about July of this year, don't know if they changed their policy, or if it varies by cast member.

[digkv]

Actually the Little Red Wagon at Disneyland is vastly superior to Corn Dog Castle at DCA. Perhaps it's the fact that the frying turnover rate is a lot faster so you get a fresher product because at DCA the cheese dogs were still solid and the batter on the dogs weren't as good.

[justagthing]

I've never had that happen to me when I go the DCA. Maybe it's all in the timing, but I always see them making it fresh when I am there.

[sku]

Actually, I found quite the opposite to be true. The last time I had a dog from the red wagon, it tasted like rancid grease. DCA dogs have always been fresh and good.