Awesome Chili Dog at Union Bagel
Many times on this board have we discussed chili dog nirvana. I'd like to add one more possibility:
Imagine my surprise while walking through Union Station one day to see a Nathan's Famous Hot Dog sign inside Union Bagel. I soon found myself at the counter saying "One chili dog with mustard and onions and no cheese, please."
After a few moments, the chili dog arrives. It takes me off guard--the dog itself extends past the bun, the raw red onions are finely chopped and the chili smells like, REAL chili! My heart starts to race. I don't have the courage to pick the thing up, so I use the fork. I wedge off a bit that contains all the flavors and quickly shorten the distance between the counter and my mouth.
Houston, we have a problem.
This is a damn good chili dog! My mind races. Can I resist the urge to eat one every day? The meaty, even slightly gamey, taste of the Nathan's Famous is a memory blast from my childhood when real butchers, who made their own frankfurters, would give me a free sample. It was amazing. Plus, the chili had both substance and flavor. Chunks of ground meat in a savory cumin-tomato bath was a delight. The minced red onion and mustard rounded out the program...the onion was small enough to deliver flavor by not unwieldy enough to roll off the fork and onto my shirt (joining the stains of lunches past). Despite the fact that I was having dinner in 45 minutes, I scarfed the thing down. I felt regret that I only had a phone camera to capture the moment.
Photos are here:
By SecretAsianMan
on Mar 31, 2010 08:05 PM
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This place is owned by the same owner as the Dog House in La Canada which was open briefly. I was at the Dog House twice when I worked in that area and I liked the food. I did not eat there often because of my work hours.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/532699
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Great find! How much did the chili dog cost?
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mmm...$3.95? Can't quite recall...
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Man that dog looks enticing, I don't think I would have the strength of character to fork it in though, I'd just grab that puppy in my hand and bring it up to my open maw...
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Good to know! Now if only they started letting us take food on the trains...
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Mustard??!!! With CHILI??!!! Gaaahkk!
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Mustard - for those who want the yellow of cheese without the cheesy flavor (not that I'm one of them mind you - I like chili CHEESE & onions)...
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You haven't lived until you've mustarded your chili! hahaha
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You'd better say no mustard, because mustard on a chili dog anywhere is a given.
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Hmm ... not at The Hat.
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At the following places it is:
Pink's
Tommy's
Slaw Dogs
Carney's
Fab
Scoobys
Weiner Factory (RIP)
Tops
Lucky Boy
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Does Lucky Boy have a good chili dog or hot dog?
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You can tell it's chili not one of their strong points. The hot dog is just a plain skinless dog along the line of a Dodger dog, probably a Farmer John dog.
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I don't believe mustard comes standard on Skooby's chili cheddar dog.
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Skooby's
6654 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
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Not to mention Cupid's. I grew up in Northridge, and from the time I was a wee lad until a teenager we frequented the one near CSUN...yummmm....dog on a warm, freshly steamed bun with yellow mustard, chili and onions.
Based on that upbringing, that's to me what a chili dog is!
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Right, Cupid's....mustard, onions and chili.
Don't forget Oki Dog...2 hot dogs, pastrami, cheese, chili, cheese, mustard, onions, pickles ...wrapped in a tortilla.
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Chili, Mustard, Onions and some good pickle relish! Yeah baby!
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Right on Burger Boy, mustard is a natural with chili, ala Tommys.
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Burger Boy
1650 S State College Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92806
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Actuallly al al Jay's or my Mom's, both RIP!
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Pretty good dog, but there's the issue of paying to park like $2 for 20 minutes. Or do you have a secret spot?
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I'm usually there for a meeting, so the parking gets folded into it...one could park near Chinatown and walk.
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