76361 Sat Dec 10 19:41:29 -0800 2005 5 2 Los Angeles Area 0 420824 Recent talk here made me hungry for a Chili Dog. First, I can only eat a chili dog if it is a Tasty Dog with a Snap and the Chili must be able to stand on its own as a meal with nothing more than a fork and maybe a few crackers. You know – thick, dark Chili sauce with no beans and lots of flavor by itself but when topped with fresh onion and/or cheese it feeds your soul. Add some fresh tasty mustard and that is the making of a great Chili Dog IMO. Anyway today I was in the mood for a taste test. I have always felt Carney’s had the best Chili Dog, and that Pinks has a great Burrito Dog. IMO the Tommy’s Chili Dog is not a good Dog but Tommy’s makes the Best Chili, Sausage & Egg Sandwich for Breakfast in town. Today however my son and I stopped at “Art’s” and “Big D” -- both are in El Monte. These two separate stands make a Chili Dog and Chili Cheese fries that is better than Pinks and probably as good as Carney’s. In fact I will say better because the price is about 2/3 of what Carney’s and Pinks charges. To tell you the truth I could not say which one I liked the most. I felt “Art’s” was ahead but my son felt “Big D” was better. We both agreed that the taste test will be repeated again and again if necessary until we agree on who is Top Dog. For now all I can say is if you are West of Downtown you can go to Carney’s but if you are Downtown or to the East you must try these two Dogs. Art’s also makes a Burger as good as In’n’Out, a Pastrami like the Hat, fries as good a McD and really good onion rings that he breads himself. Art’s “The Art of Burgers.” ( Chili Dogs, Chili Cheese fries, Breakfast Sandwiches and Burritos, Burgers, Steaks, Pastrami, Onion Rings, Try the “Three by Three” 3 burgers w/ 3 cheese for $3.70 or a “Five by Five for $5.60) 11629 E. Valley Blvd. El Monte, CA 91732 At the 10 Fry across from McDonalds & Tommy’s. Breakfast 7:00 A.M. to 11:00A.M. Mon. Sat. And on Sun. 8:00 A.M. to 11:00A.M. Lunch & Dinner served All Day 7:00 A.M. to Midnight Big “D” Enter Out Burger (Burgers and Chili Dogs and Chili Fries, Pastrami) 12300 Valley Blvd El Monte, CA (626) 350-4222 Corner of E. Valley and N. Durfee Ave. / Just West of 605 Fry Carney’s (Chili Dog and Fries) Studio City 12601 Ventura Blvd. (818) 761-8300 http://www.carneytrain.com/ Carney’s(Chili Dog and Fries) 8351 Sunset Blvd. (323).654-8300 http://www.carneytrain.com/ Pink's Hot Dogs 709 N. La Brea Blvd. L.A., CA 90038 http://www.pinkshollywood.com/ BACON BURRITO DOG Big Flour Tortilla wrapped around 2 hot dogs, 2 slices of cheese, 3 slices bacon Chili and onions The Original Tommy’s (Breakfast – Sausage, Egg, Chili, Cheese, Tomato, onion, pickle and mayo on a English Muffin ) SANTA MONICA 1900 Lincoln Blvd. SANTA MONICA (310) 392-4820 http://www.originaltommys.com/ Sat Dec 10 19:41:29 -0800 2005 0 Like-Go-Eat? 1 420825 there's also a famous art's chili dogs on florence and normandie, have you been there before. supposedly great dogs and chili. Sat Dec 10 19:44:11 -0800 2005 420824 0 kevin 2 424390 Nobody has mentioned Top's? what are the opinions? Shredded Monterey and cheddar cheese on top. mmmm Mon Feb 20 22:19:41 -0800 2006 420825 0 ericyuck 1 421051 Speaking of chili fries (with or without cheese), the moment when I completely lost all respect for a certain L.A. times food writer came several years ago when she wrote about ordering chili fries at some restaurant she was reviewing, and was shocked to receive an order of french fries with chili on top. She'd never heard of such a thing before. How can one live and eat in L.A. without ever encountering chili fries? I'm partial to the ones at Carney's, but I'll also give a tip of the hat to...The Hat. Not bad at all. I've never had chili fries at Pie 'n' Burger, but I really like their fries (well done, please), and the chili is tasty (chili cheese omelette). I think they'd go together well...since the fries are a bit thicker than normal, they might hold up well to the chili. Mon Dec 12 14:19:41 -0800 2005 420824 0 Jack Flash 2 421071 for my honey's bday a few years ago, I made the following concoction. Fries well done from Tommy's (happened to be the Laurel Canyon/Burbank location). Topped with Carney's chili. Then I shredded good cheddar abundently over the top. That was the best. I think carney's fries are too skinny. Tommy's chili, though a close second, isn't as flavorful and spicy as carney's, and cheddar, not american should be the standard. Yes, this was a pain in the ass, as the meal consisted of four stops all together, but he was happy. Mon Dec 12 14:40:21 -0800 2005 421051 0 kiwi 3 421102 kiwi, you're what we call a "keeper"! Mon Dec 12 15:15:08 -0800 2005 421071 0 JB