Best hot dog in LA?

[lucindamichele]

Hi. Some friends & I are planning a three-location tour of LA hot dog stands, and we're hitting Pink's, Oki-Dog, & Skooby's in one afternoon. It's a truly horrible idea, and so once we came up with it, we HAD to do it. Suicidal? Yes...but also tasty. But in discussing it, lots of other folks said, "You should go here...you should go there..." We've been told Yaki's, Let's Be Frank, The Stand, Tommy's, Vicious Dogs, Papoo's, and Carney's. I just thought of Hot Dog On A Stick...

I know in LA the burger has been elevated to a gourmet art form, but the hot dog seems to have so far escaped this fate. That said, what do people think are the BEST hot dogs in LA?

I'm partial to Skooby's. And am I alone in abhorring Pink's?

Here's our event, you all should come...it's just a buncha folks getting together for what we've dubbed the Hot Dog Death March. Cuz we're just fans of LA and its hot dog stands.
http://hotdogdeathmarch.wordpress.com...

[Ollie]

All I know is that I miss The Weiner Factory, when it was in Sherman Oaks

[trixel]

Carney's NY dog.

[polish_girl]

Just came back from LA - went to have Pink's hot dogs on Sunday for the first time and was not impressed. I had the Long Island (the STRETCH 10" was tiny! ), my daughter had a Today show (double hot-dog) , and hubby a polish mild ( I think the best from all our sandwiches ). As we were on a college tour of LA/SD I thought it would be a nice place for my daughter to go sometime...but she decided not to come back.
it's really not worth it to stand in line for over an hour and get a mediocre hot dog. I think Costco's dogs are a lot better:-))))

[mdpilam]

No mention of Let's Be Frank's dogs? I've never had (but I'm not really a big hot dog fan), though I've heard good things. I think the only dog I've had in LA is The Stand (it was decent) and a Dodger Dog.

[mst3k]

i gotta give huge props to Vicious Dogs in NoHo. To me; Best dogs in LA hands down.
I love love love their Brat and anything Polish. Lots of other choices too.

http://www.viciousdogsnoho.com/

[Burger Boy]

Have you had Fabs? Vicious is good but....................

[kevin]

Fab's is by far the best right now, if only Weiner Factory where still open.

OH, well, anyone heard if WF is opening up anywhere anytime soon.

[maxzook]

There was great sadness when Weiner Factory lost its lease in December 2007 and the landlord announced a Pinkberry at the location. The ultimate irony is that the Pinkberry never opened due to parking and zoning problems.

At the time of the closing, WF owner Kevin Lentz said he was looking for another location, but I haven't heard anything lately.

[condiment]

If you're doing a death march, you've got to include the Infield. The Twinkie Dog alone is worth the trip.

[lucindamichele]

Twinkie...Dog? Oh my god. Pictures! I demand pictures!

[monku]

http://media.newtimes.com/2325804.41.jpg

[kevin]

has anyone been to Flooky's? I believe it's on sherman way, any good?

[ipsedixit]

Costco

[Hackenbush]

The best I've had is Carney's. Skooby's is a close runner-up and since I like Skooby's fries a lot more than Carney's fries, I'd rather go to Skooby's than Carney's.

[monku]

How about Chronis in ELA?

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Chronis
5825 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90022

[lesizmor12]

Carney's, hands down, on Ventura Blvd. Can't beat it. IMHO, Pinks kinda stinks next to Carney's. I hear great things about Fab's in Reseda but have not made it there. The 2 am swine dogs are so delicious, that is a close 2nd to Carney's in my book. The Stand is ok. Costco is hard to beat for the price, but I'd gladly go over the hill for the Carney's dog any day. Or two. Hot Dog on a Stick for a corn dog is yummy too, but I do think the dogs themselves could be better. What a fun run you will have!!

[lucindamichele]

I had no idea there were this many places I'd never heard about! You guys should all meet up with us for the Hot Dog Death March. We can debate the finer points of hot doggery. :)

My personal fave is Skooby's, with their dipping sauces for the fries. Awesome fries, too.

[Burger Boy]

Have you been to Fab's in the valley? Don't dish on Pink's, they have been doing interesting dogs for years, try the coleslaw dog or the jalapeno dog, the have some creative stuff. Pink's is more than just a chili dog, matter of fact, I have not had a chili dog there in 10+ years, I always get one of the more interesting dogs. Ciao Baby!

[sdv231]

God I miss The Weiner Factory

[anothernotch]

My personal favorite is the New Yorker (deli mustard, Kraut, and onions) at Carney's. I think that the Stand makes a decent dog, good topings, however, the skin lacks the requisite snap.

[lucindamichele]

The Wiener Factory? Where was that?

[Servorg]

WF (RIP)

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weiner factory
sherman oaks

[lucindamichele]

Oh that's too bad. :(

[josephnl]

If you go to OC again, go to one of the four locations for Jerry's Wood-Fired Dogs. They are really tasty, made especially to Jerry's specs, are cooked to order over a wood burning barbecue, then topped with your choice of about 30 different toppings. Their fries and potato chips are great also, cooked to order. Check out: http://www.jerrysdogs.com/

[chowchi1]

I think the Chicago dog at Portillo's is one of the best in LA. Also, QT Chicago dogs in Sherman Oaks are good as well. I do not understand the fascination with Pink's other than for nostalgia -- they are average at best.

[sel]

Pink's offers various combinations of glop on there dogs which are named after celebrities, an obviously winning business plan in L.A. The problem is that they just arn't that tasty to most dog affecianodos (sp?)!!!

[lucindamichele]

Yeah, it really seems like Pink's is more for tourists as part of the "LA experience." Hence the celebrity names on the dogs. :P

[condiment]

Pink's is a true L.A. experience, and was popular many decades before any of the dogs bore celebrity names. There are many reasons to dislike the place -I'm still sore that they stopped selling Mitz, although I love the dogs - but inauthenticity isn't one of them.

[chow_main]

I like Pink's - way better than Weinershnitzel

[SIMIHOUND]

Fabs is tops IMO. Garlic tater tots are excellent.

[monku]

Fabs is good, but I'll pass on the Ripper next time.

[lucindamichele]

...the "Ripper"?! That sounds like a gastrointestinal nightmare!

[ChinoWayne]

A "ripper" is an east coast classic dog, thrown in the deep fryer and cooked until the casing rips open. No more a nightmare than considering everything that is stuffed in that casing.

[zjarrett]

Deep fried hot dogs bring up painful memories of binge drinking followed by Crif Dog...my head hurts already

[ns1]

it's delicious, but I no longer get the ripper.

However, that mustard relish is to die for.

I usually get the mexican street dog, no tomatoes/kethcup/mustard but with mustard relish.

[ns1]

My vote goes to Fab's. Worth it for the garlic tater tots alone...

I'd eat a Costco dog over Pinks.

[lucindamichele]

Garlic...tater...tots?! OMG.

[ns1]

Yes, that's right. They have (on the menu) tater tots, and garlic ranch fries.

They will be more than willing to combine the 2 creations :)

[Jwsel]

I actually prefer the regular tater tots to the garlic fries. The garlic is a bit excessive for me.

On the hot dog front, I've liked the Fab hot dogs I tried, but I just cannot bypass the spicy polish sausage. I believe it's by the same people who did the Wiener Factory polish sausages and it is incredible. My favorite is to get the firecracker polish sausage with the mexicali topping (spicy chipotle sauce, grilled onions, guacamole, and sour cream).

[ns1]

The firecracker is definitely a beast. Full of peppers, not for the pansy at heart.

[sel]

How are the Costco hot dogs since they switched brands of dog meat (from Hebrew National and Sinai to their own Kirkland brand?
Although a bit off topic, I had a Double Bacon Cheeseburger at Fab's yesterday and it was cooked rare as ordered and really juicy and so good, best fast food burger in L.A.!

[ns1]

I don't know, it was more a jab at Pink's crappy hotdog vs Costco's awesome hotdog lol

I agree though, Fab's is one of the best fast food hamburgers in LA. It's hard for me sometimes to decide if I want a hamburger or a hotdog...when I'm a pig, I get both =X

[Bjartmarr]

I remember Costco dogs from a few years ago as being pretty good, but was disappointed when I tried one at the Lincoln/Washington location a couple weeks ago. It kind of lacked flavor.

[Burger Boy]

Pink's has a 12" jalepeno dog/sausage, it is heaven, just get it with mustard & onions, no chili.

[ns1]

Yeah I gave Pink's two tries, I'm in no hurry to return.

Don't get me wrong though, I think the dog itself has a pretty nice snap, it's everything else that I despise.

[wienermobile]

Cupids on Victory Blvd. in Van Nuys was my favorite growing up.

[chuck]

I miss the cupids on Victory too but the one on Lindly and Nordhoff is a carbon copy of the Van Nuys one. Also the Costco in Northridge still has Hebrew National hot dogs.

[schrutefarms]

After your daytime death march, go get some drinks at the Burgundy Room or Beauty Bar (or anywhere on the Cahuenga Corridor), and get one of the bacon wrapped street dogs at 2 AM from the street vendors that are always out there. Hands down my favorite dog in the city.

[sel]

For me the 'street dogs' are the best. Those cheap weenies sure taste good when you add the bacon, grilled jalapenos and onions etc. etc..........
Second best is Fabs followed by Scoobies!
Hey Hot Dog Spot Steve and Hot Dog Slob, time for an update!

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Skooby's
6654 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

[monku]

The Stand and Tommy's use Cantella's hot dogs which I think are a notch below Vienna and Hoffy's.

The Stand is having a 2 for 1 Hot Dogs and Burgers today (Memorial Weekend special) until 5pm special for Stand Card holders (easy to get right there on the spot). I checked it out Saturday night after going to Portillo's.

Otherwise after 5pm Mondays(tonight too) its $1 hot dogs (standard dogs) and $2 beers.

http://www.thestandlink.com/

[lucindamichele]

A special today?! That's awesome!!!

[monku]

Say what you will, but I like Pinks. They serve Hoffy dogs and their Polish dogs are good too. Forget the Oki Dog and check out Fabs Hot Dogs in Reseda.

Saturday I went to Portillo's in Buena Park (I've been many times) and enjoyed their Chicago dog. Their hot dogs are served on steamed poppy seed buns and they serve Vienna Beef hot dogs. Worth checking out if you've never been.

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Portillo's Hot Dogs
8390 La Palma Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620

Fab Hot Dogs (location as of May 2010)
19417 Victory Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335

[wienermobile]

Portillo's is my favorite in all of LA. What a great snap on those dogs.