Fab's Hot Dogs - moving Spring 2010

[Professor Salt]

Fab’s Hot Dogs, the San Fernando Valley dog house, is moving to a bigger location down the street this spring (or summer - you know how these things go). The sausage slingers, slammed since the exposure on Food TV’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, need desperately to expand out of their tiny, nine seat hole in the wall. The owners told me today that they signed a new lease in the Loehmann’s Plaza, down the street from their current Reseda location.

Seating will expand, parking will improve, and hopefully, so will the wait to get a couple of dogs.

Fabs Hot Dogs
Now:
6747 Tampa Ave.
Reseda, CA 91335
818-344-4336

Starting Spring or Summer 2010:
In the Loehmann’s Plaza Shopping Center
Tampa Avenue and Victory Boulevard
Reseda, CA

[Jelly71]

i was in this week, and they are saying that the 26th is the big day!!

[GK in SO]

Jelly, that's great news! I can't wait to visit them in their new location.

Has anyone been to Fab's recently and tried the WF turkey dog? I haven't had a chance to make it out there yet to try them myself.

[kevin]

i did actually, but either my memory does not serve me or it's been more than i long time that i've had one of the turkey dogs at WF, but it didn't seem like the one at WF, not the full flavor, not the snap, and it seemed like a thinner sausage. but i may be mistaken, i tried two of them. but for some reason i don't think it was the same. i also got an order of chili cheese fries, very good, and also a coney all the way, the beef dog with chili and cheese, those were great stuff.

please report back and let me know if you tried the turkey dog, or anyone else who tries it for that matter. unless there are two turkey dogs on the menu? and you have to specifiy the WF style one?

[SIMIHOUND]

These are supposidly from the same manufacturer as WF used. Once they open up at the new location I will check it out myself.

[GK in SO]

Kevin, thanks for the report. That's really dissapointing news, but I will check it out myself and report back. I'll be sure to quiz Joe about whether they're the same dogs before I order. You are correct, the old WF turkey dogs had a great, full, slightly spicy flavor and a great snap that you just don't usually get from turkey dogs.

[SIMIHOUND]

Yeah!!! The move has been made to 19417 Victory in the Loehmans Plaza. Hours are M-Th 11am-9pm. F&S 11am-10pm and Sundays 11am-8pm. I will check it out soon.

[Jelly71]

i went to the CVS at Loehmann’s Plaza yesterday, and the QT Chicago Dog's is gone and empty and there is now a sign saying that Fab is coming!

the QT was still there last week, so i guess they are just now starting the renovations.

but it's an exciting development!

[SIMIHOUND]

Thanks. Good news!!

[Jelly71]

i went tonight for dinner and Joe told me the turkey dogs will be in tomorrow. probably not in time for lunch, but definitely for dinner. he thinks they will arrive around 1pm.

[Burger Boy]

Ask Joe if he can find out where Pink's gets ther jalapeno sausages from and I will consider marrying him!

[GK in SO]

Thanks for the update, Jelly, I'll be waiting with baited breath for a report on their actual arrival (and confirmation from a Hound, of course, that they're the real WF turkey-dog-deal).

[Fab Hot Dogs]

Thank you Jelly,
I got may days confused, sorry about that, The new turkey dogs will be arriving on Friday afternoon.
Joe

[SIMIHOUND]

Update. The move is now pushed out until the end of May. Thought you might like to know.

[carlodabaker]

pinks is the best hot dog stand around. fabs or weiner factory are on a lower scale.

[bsquared2]

Pink's is for tourists. That big line you see everyday? Those aren't locals. That line didn't get so big until they started working it with the celebrities. Somebody who grew up here would never tell you Pink's is the best in LA. They are like the Mr. Chow's of hot dogs.

Don't they have a Rosie O'Donnell dog or something like that? I rest my case. But they get some points because Orson Welles ate 18 of their dogs at one sitting.

[Burger Boy]

The line got big when Paul Pink passed on and the African American gentleman that was there for years retired. The ladies inside are slow and talk to each other to much! It also looks good to have a line out front, it causes visual excitement. They always had a tie in with celebrities, they just never named dogs after them until 10-15 years ago.

[Galen]

The Rosie O'Donnell hotdog is: All bun. No dog.

[Burger Boy]

Not Really and I am a huge Pink's fan!

[kevin]

i think pink's is dreadful, though i'm not a tourist to LA.

[Burger Boy]

try the jalapeno sausage with just mustard and onions

[ns1]

LOL

[namstermonster]

rather have generic brand cooked at home.. blech. frito pie isn't bad tho haha.

[SIMIHOUND]

The turkey dog is on its way. Give it 3-4 weeks and Joe should have them. He knows people want it.

[GK in SO]

Simi, are you kidding me? How did you convince him? How can he get them, if they were a special secret recipe? Or, was Kevin pulling our leg and they are in fact available from some supplier?

OMG, I'm so excited! However, I've tasted Fab's chili, and while OK, it's a notch below WF's. Also, WF's steamed buns added another element to the overall dog experience, and I seem to recall that Fab's are just plain old, seemingly supermarket bought, room temperature buns. Am I recalling correctly?

Regardless of this, if this comes true, I (and a host of others as well) will be most appreciative to you, Simi!! BTW, thanks for taking the lead on the Chow get-together.

[SIMIHOUND]

No kidding. Joe from FAB told me he knows WE (The CH crew) want it so he is getting it. This has nothing to do with me believe me. Irregardless maybe you can convince him to name a combo after me. Call it the SIMIDOG. Mild polish, slaw, cheese, onion and no mustard. Or as WF called it a slaw-cheese-o-dry!

I happen to disagree about the chili. I never cared for WF chili and happen to love FAB chili. Really there is so much to try I never get around to the chili much.

Also as long as I am here...Pinks is very low on the quality scale. I know the quality of a WF dog and now FAB dogs. Of course PINKS serves its purpose and will always have a place in many peoples hearts for many reasons. It will always have a place in LA restaurant history for sure being around as long as it has but quality it isn't.

[WildSwede]

I do think that Pink's has a very delicious version of chili cheese fries (well done, of course!), though.

[WildSwede]

I need to recant my post about liking Pink's chili cheese fries. I went on Oscar night (stood in line for almost an hour) and ordered the chili cheese fries (well done). The bitchy dark-haired older lady told me in a very condescending tone that their machine is pre-set (I looked at it for a LONG time while standing in line and they can change it manually very easily if they want) and they cannot do well done. Then she rolled her eyes at the guy who was getting my order. That REALLY pissed me off. What is so unreasonable about asking for fries well done when I have done so and gotten them that way at Pink's for years??!! She needs to wash dishes or do something in the back so she does not have contact with the public. I will not go back based on how I was treated.
However, let me tell you - the fries were not even cooked (raw in the middle and cold) and the chili definitely left something to be desired. The best part of the meal was the Bubble Up I got (I only ordered the fries and drink).
I will now profess that I NEVER NEED TO STAND IN THE PINK'S LINE AGAIN!!

[sel]

What an awful experience! I haven't been in years, last time was shortly after Hewell Howser did his story there, years ago. Everytime I go by Pinks with GF I tell her that although I'm not a fan that she should try it once cause it IS part of L.A. food history blah blah blah but when I look at that line from hell, I can't bring myself to stop!

[kevin]

if you really need to go there, go at about 10am and no one will be in line but it will still take about 10 minu even if you're the on.ly one on line.

[kevin]

I concur on the Pink's part. So Joe Fabrioni (sp?) is gonna be doling out those Wiener Factor turkey dogs now, that is quite cause for rejoicement.

[Burger Boy]

Try the jalapeno sausage at Pink's, just mustard & onions, Muy sabrosa!

[manku]

Maybe comparing apples to oranges, but Brats Brothers sausages are infinitely better...nicer ambiance and neighborhood too!

[orythedog]

All I know is that they have the exact spicy polish the Weiner Factory used to serve and that alone is reason to go there.

[GK in SO]

I wish they also carried WF's turkey dog. Absolute heaven (especially w/mustard, chili and onion!).

[kevin]

oh, man, the things i would do for one of Wiener Factory's turkey dogs with that requisite snap with some freshly grated cheddar cheese showered over the dog very promisciously and a lashing of spicey mustard on that eggy egg bun.

[GK in SO]

I'm with you, Kevin. Those turkey dogs had a fantastic snap, plus a nice spicy kick to them. And yes, their steamed buns ruled...I know of no other place that steams the dogs like WF did.

As I mentioned on another thread, unfortunately, those dogs died along with WF. Kevin, who used to run WF, told me they were made especially for WF by a never-could (or would?)-be-named company.

I guess I'll forever be in hot dog purgatory, since I don't eat beef or pork and all other turkey dogs I've tasted fall way short of WF's and taste like ordinary supermarket bought dogs. :-(

[SIMIHOUND]

GK-FAB uses the same supplier as WF. That is a fact, If you suggest it maybe it will be considered for the new location. I have a few suggestions myself I will be mentioning.

[kevin]

really? same supplier? how and why did he get those prized details and access to the wiener factory's secret supplier?

thanks.

[GK in SO]

I have the same question for Simihound. If I recall, WF carried Sabrett's dogs, however, I'm pretty darn sure that those beloved turkey doges were NOT made by Sabrett's.

Simi, since it may be awhile before I make it over to Fab's, if you find out about the turkey dogs and get Fab's to carry them you'll be my hero and best chow friend forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SIMIHOUND]

I have no idea how but FAB claims he has the same supplier. I can't get FAB to carry turkey dogs any more than you can. I can make the suggestion and I will be doing so. Give them a call if you can't get by.

May I suggest all the fans from CH show up on opening day and give FAB a whopping welcome and thank you. I am soo ready!!!!

[TomSwift]

I believe FAB steams the buns. And you're right, the buns are soft and go well with many of the combinations but have little independent character.

[The Chowhound Team]

This seems to be building into quite a Chow get-together.  We have a few guidelines for such occasions.  The main guideline is that posts to the boards should be announcements (and followup reports!) only--all discussion, scheduling and RSVPing should happen off the boards.

The way most people handle this is by posting an initial announcement to their local board with an email address for people to contact if they're interested in meeting up. We'd ask that someone do that now, and then use 'report' to let us know about it, and we'll sticky it to the top of the board. 
Everyone should check out our guidelines for chowdowns here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/3676... If you're going to descend on a new business all at once, please do be careful not to let them know you're from Chowhound, so we can allow the reports back afterwards.

[Debbie W]

I think Joe had or has some contact with Kevin, because the first time I tried the red cabbage at Fab's Joe said he got the recipe from Kevin (though honestly, it's not quite the same - not as juicy as it was at WF, but it's serviceable if the only other choice is none). So therefore it wouldn't seem impossible that Joe could get the turkey dog from the same supplier. WF didn't use Sabrett's until maybe a couple years before they closed, before then they had their own blend or whatever you might call it. (I also signed up for the updates from WF and have never received any.)

[kevin]

That makes sense. And have the recipe is one thing the execution of it is another (I guess that's why even if we all have a boatload of recipes a great chef it does not make).

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to try the new Fab's location by summer time, I'm usually busy with work now so don't get a chance to get out to Reseda much (and it doesn't help that Fab's has limitd hours a lot of the time like closing at 6 or 7pm).

[Fab Hot Dogs]

This is Joe at Fab Hot Dogs.
The new turkey dogs will be arriving on Friday afternoon 3/19/10. It took some time to find them but I hope you will all enjoy.
Thank you for your support.
Joe

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

[pizzafreak]

Second that, Every time I go there I swear I'm going to try something else, and always wind up with the mild Polish w/ Gulden's mustard. Definitely worth the drive from the East Valley. Brat Bros sausages are also very good, but not much difference in ambience between the two.

[Jelly71]

i am very excited for the move. that shopping center has a huge parking lot and is easy to get in and out of. plus, i am really looking forward to them having more seating.

i love Fab, but sometimes hesitate to go because i know i won't be able to sit inside. i don't like to sit outside there because it is so close to the street.

i am really pleased for the owners and am looking forward to many more Fab dogs in my future!

[SIMIHOUND]

I am so stoked. I just called the owners and the plans are to be in the new location in early April. QT Hotdogs is in there now and was given 30 day notice today. As soon as QT leaves he can get in there and fix up the place to his desires. This new location will have tons of parking obviously, 40-50 seats, many bathrooms, pickup window etc just like a normal place. Hours may at some point change to later. Happy Days!!!

[WildSwede]

It is sad about QTs. I did not know there was one in Lohmann's Plaza (is Casa De Pizza still there - so many memories from that place!) but I did notice the one on Parthenia/Reseda had a sign indiacting that something else (maybe expansion of the Indian market next door) was moving into the QTs space. Very sad. But we still have Cupids!! ;-)

[allyoucanet]

They can move but their dogs are still nothing to write home about.

[bagdoodle]

I agree completely. Two of us, visiting separately, ordered five different items and found them to be far, far less than sufficient to justify the fifty mile drive to get them. All were perfectly okay, but, as allyoucaneat so nicely put it, "nothing to write home about." Truly much ado about nothing!

[kevin]

that chili cheese coney dog with natural casing is some good eating right there.

that chili is fucking unbelievable like no other chili in LA.

"nuff said.

but then to each his or her own, one man's garbage is another man's gem.

[sel]

And their cheeseburger is pretty tasty too! Yeah it isn't one of the $12-16 premium jobs so popular lately but it blows away many of the reasonable priced offerings in this area!

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

[kevin]

Oh, yea, on that cheeseburger, it's like a really good version of an In n Out burger, if in fact In n Out were amazing. Or it's a little in the vein of orginal Bob's Big Boy double cheese burger (and precursor to the Big Mac) circa 1958.

[Burger Boy]

Love the BiG BoY!

[TomSwift]

The move is good because it will be several minutes closer to me (double that round trip) but I fear that some of the charm of the hole-in-the-wall may be lost and that the ability to chat with the crew also may be impaired because of the increased space.
50 miles (round trip?) is a bit much, even for their excellent dogs, but I would have done that once just to try the goods. Short shrift is given to their burgers (get 'em rare) and the various dog combos are very tasty, but it is difficult to beat the simple steamed dog with Stadium mustard and Bald Eagle relish. To my taste, as good as they are the other stuff masks the snap and flavor of the dog itself.

[Jelly71]

but the hole in the wall charm doesn't do any good if people aren't coming in and eating. when Joe told me about the move a few weeks ago, i told him how happy i was because that meant i could come in more often. he said he hears that from a lot of customers. that they want to eat there more, but need a place to sit.

and while the new place is bigger, it's not so big that the crew is going to disappear. the cooking area runs the length of about half the front area, if i recall correctly. you will still be able to see and chat with them, most likely.

[TomSwift]

I haven't seen the new (but not rebuilt-out) space so this is good news about the crew. I'll have to stop by and view later this week. Totally agree about the need to sit. More than once my elbow has been bumped and my lap has taken a hit of chili.

[Will Owen]

"but the hole in the wall charm doesn't do any good if people aren't coming in and eating." When we made our trip to the noodle/dumpling place last month, we drove by Fab's going and coming (with about a two-hour interval), and both times the place was packed and the crowd on the sidewalk was huge. So the expansion is very good news indeed.