Hot Dog Spot

Hate Mail!

2007-09-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well, we asked folks to let us know if they spotted one of the Top Dog Billboards for Carneys. Apparently, hot dog lover, Vera saw one looming over Pink's and it made her hopping mad. Today, we got this wonderful poisoned pen letter from her... poisoned with inedible chili! (Sorry- Lack of paragraph breaks in copy)

Wow! You guys are brutal, biased and very off on your review. First of all, Carney’s made up their own billboard…what a joke! Anyone can create a billboard, pay the monthly fee and rate themselves #1. Carney’s must be hurting for business or they’re insecure…otherwise, why would they have their billboard advertisement installed just down the street from Pink’s, as if they really think this will deter Pink’s fans to drive from La Brea & Melrose to Carney’s. I don’t think Carney’s or any of the other “wanna be’s” can beat the number of hot dogs served…they only dream of serving over 2,000 hot dogs EVERY DAY, and over 3,000 hot dogs EVERY WEEKEND DAY (not counting the turkey, veggie dogs, hamburgers or chicken entrée’s they serve at Pink’s…FOR 68 YEARS! Pink’s doesn’t have to lower their reputation to the “steam level” that Carney’s does by rating themselves #1! They earn it the old fashioned way…longevity and success is due to great, meaty all-beef hot dogs made by Hoffy, locally, with the least amount of filler of any hot dog available in L.A…lean is the name and 100% beef with all natural casing (just call Hoffy and ask for yourself, they’ll tell you which hot dog stands and labels they make and who has the least filler with the best beef in their hot dog). The hot dogs at Pink’s have a snap, which when you bite into them, they produce a juicy flavor. As for the chili, they have been serving this chili since 1939 – what don’t you guys get that millions of other customers get, when you dine at Pink’s? And, since I am of Hispanic background, you DISGUST me with your mimic of the Latino cooks behind the counter speaking broken English. Those girls, and a few guys, work their tails off in very hot, small quarters and they never even write an order down…they just memorize your order. By the way, they some employees there that have worked at the stand for 9, 12 and 15 years. You ask those cooks how well they are treated by the family, they receive regular bonus, all of the tips, all proceeds from recycling bottles and cans and are very appreciative of the kind treatment by the Pink family..just ask them. Granted, a few times they leave something out, but if it is a complete screw up – they give you your money back or offer to make exactly what you wanted. Also, you failed to mention that on the menu are listed just a few (over 2,000 local and national charities) which Pink’s donates to EVERY YEAR! As for the creations that are featured, I happen to know for a fact, because I saw Martha Stewarts’ TV show which featured her visit to Pink’s, she created her hot dog with all of her favorite toppings, and so did Rosey and so has Huell. I have gone to stand in line to meet Huell when he comes to Pink’s and yes, HE ACTUALLY EATS and LOVES his creation (I’ve seen him eat it, more than two times). I personally have met Cuba Gooding Jr, Al Pacino, Matt Damon, Bill Cosby (he has Pink’s shipped to him when he is in Orange County for the fair and when he is in Lake Tahoe), Mark Anthony, members from the band Chicago, Aerosmith, Jay Leno, and so many other celebrities EATING THEIR FAVORITE HOT DOGS AT PINK’S – this is a real celebrity watching hot spot. You should visit pinkshollywood.com for a “taste” of this LA hot dog stand. In addition, if you would have read the menu, you would have known that their Chicago Dog is labeled Chicago Polish Dog, can’t you read? Why do you think so many television stations and magazines feature Pink’s, why do you think Pink’s is being served in Planet Hollywood – Las Vegas? You guys don’t know what you’re talking about! Thank you for the opportunity to write back. I’m a VERY LOYAL FAN, AS IS MY ENTIRE FAMILY of Pink’s Hot Dogs. I wish I had more time to continue this message with the accolades and praises from my family, co-workers, and thousands of other Pink’s aficionado’s have to say about this great, legendary, family-friendly and family owned restaurant. Good luck with your lousy reviews!

Vera

Your last name wouldn't happen to be Pink would it, Vera?

I'll make you a deal. You send us a video of you eating Pinks' infamous Huell Howser dog...

...and we will post it here on this site and present you with a crisp, new $20 bill! No cheating now! You have to eat it ALL in one sitting. Feel free to substitute the equally vile Martha Stuart Dog if you prefer.

Your pal
Steve Doggie-Dogg

Tacos & Hot Dogs (not necessarily in that order!)

2006-09-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

Filmmaker, Joe Ravetz made a great little film for TurnHere.com on one of those eternal questions... Where to find the best Hot Dogs and Tacos in Los Angeles? He turned to the acknowledged experts on the subject, Mike Tacogater and Hot Dog Spot's own, Steve Doggie-Dogg.

The doggeries featured are Carney's, home of the best weiner in Los Angeles; The Weiner Factory, where you can get a Polish Sausage to die for; The Stand, LA's swankiest dog emporium; and the inexplicably delicious Oki Dog.

It's a great film! Check it out online at...

TurnHere presents Tacos and Hot Dogs in LA

The Hot Dog Spot Crew Captured In Pen & Ink!

2006-08-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

Steve Doggie-Dogg and Jon the Food Slob were immortalized on paper by the amazing caricaturist, Marlo Meekins...

Click to see a more detailed view of our noggins!

Top Dog Billboard!

2006-02-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

Sharp eyed dog fancier, Jeff Davidson spotted a billboard on Ventura Bl that caught his eye. Well, why wouldn't it with a forty foot long hot dog on it?! But he did a double take when he noticed the caption... Carney's is announcing their Top Dog Award for Best Wiener in a big way!

Check it out...

If you spot this billboard around town, please post in the comments below and let us know the location.

Hot Dog Spot Update

2005-12-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

Today, the LA Times mentioned Hot Dog Spot in an article called Blogging LA (requires registration). It never ceases to amaze me how far this project has gone!

If you are new here, look to the right...

------------------------>

See where it says, "DOGGERIES REVIEWED"? Click on some of those. That's the "meat" of this blog!

You may have noticed that it's been a little while since our last review. I've been hard at work building a museum, archive and library dedicated to the art of animation in Burbank. If you are interested, check out the blog for The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Project.

I've also taken up the guitar, and I have been singing cowboy songs every weekend at the assisted living home where my mother lives. Add to that catering to the needs of a demanding chihuahua and scrambling to make ends meet... Needless to say, life has been hectic.

But my dedication to doggery is unfailing. I'll be back soon with more reviews. I have a list of places to try a mile long. If you'd like to come along with us on one of our dog outings, drop me a line at... hotdogspot@hotdogspot.com.

Thanks!
Steve Doggie-Dogg

Joke for the Day

2005-10-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Two Irish nuns have just arrived in USA by boat and one says to the other, "I hear that the people in this country actually eat dogs." "Odd," her companion replies, "but if we shall live in America, we might as well do as the Americans do." Nodding emphatically, the mother superior points to a hot dog vendor and they both walk towards the cart. "Two dogs, please," says one. The vendor is only too pleased to oblige and he wraps both hot dogs in foil and hands them over the counter. Excited, the nuns hurry over to a bench and begin to unwrap their "dogs."

The mother superior is first to open hers. She begins to blush and then, staring at it for a moment, leans over to the other nun and whispers cautiously: "What part did you get?

LA Gets Its Own HOT DOG EATING CONTEST!

2005-09-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Move over Coney Island... Encino has its own Hot Dog Eating Contest now!

I just got an email from the fine folks at The Stand, and they will be staging a fabulous Hot Dog-A-Thon as part of the "Taste of Encino" festivities on Sunday, October 9th at 1pm. Grand prize in the competitive eating event is $500 and each of the lucky competetors will receive a $100 Stand gift certificate redeemable for some of the best tubesteaks in Los Angeles. The Stand's CEO, Murray Wishengrad says that they are going all out to make this the biggest blow-out the LA hot dog scene has ever seen. He hopes to make it an annual event, so the humble hot dog will be honored in perpetuity.

In order to compete, you have to be over the age of 18, and you need to fill out an entry form before the contest begins. Entrants will be chosen at random. The 12 minute competition will involve a variety of dogs... including The Stand's famous chili dog, BBQ dog and kraut dog. Yes, these dogs are loaded! None of that namby pamby "just a dog and a bun" stuff like in Coney... We're talkin' real eatin' here!

The Master of Ceremonies for the event will be the LA talk radio institution, Mr. KABC and absolute fairness will be personally guaranteed by the Lord High Commissioner of Doggery, Hot Dog Spot's own Steve Doggie-Dogg. If you are an "ordinary person with an extraorinary love of hot dogs" come on down to the "Taste of Encino" festivities on October 9th, mingle with the hot dog hoi polloi, and perhaps you'll get a chance to show the world what you're made of! Even if you don't go home with the $500 in your pocket, you'll certainly be able to go home with a smile and a full belly!

The Stand's Hot-Dog-A-Thon
Sunday October 9th at 1pm
17000 Ventura Bl (near Balboa)
Encino, California

KCAL 9 On The Town's Top 9 Dogs

2005-07-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hot Dog Spot's Steve Doggie-Dogg appeared on KCAL 9's program "9 On The Town" this week in a survey of the top 9 dogs in Los Angeles. You can read the program's picks at... 9 On The Town's Website. Congrats to the Hot Dog Spot Top Dog award winners who placed high on KCAL's list... Carneys, The Stand, Skooby's, and The Wiener Factory.

Happy National Hot Dog Month!

2005-07-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

According to The National Hot Dog And Sausage Council, July is National Hot Dog Month! There will be frankfurter events taking place all over the country, not the least of which is the Nathan's Famous Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. You can find out more about the results at WatchMeEatAHotDog.com.

Have a great Hot Dog Month!

Der Wienershnitzel Lyrics!

2005-06-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hot Dog Spot reader, M Terry wrote us a couple of months ago asking if we could uncover the words to a Der Wienerschnitzel jingle that was bouncing around in the darkest corners of his memory.

Well, we have the answer all the way from Baltimore! Hot Dog Spot reader, Chris Emry writes...

The jingle was written by Gene Moss & Jim Thurman. They had a TV show on Channel 9 KHJ in LA called "Shrimpenstein" and they also wrote for Roger Ramjet.

Oh hot dog, this must be the place,
just drive right in and stick a juicy hot dog in your face,
Der Weinerschnitzel, Weinerschnitzel,
ya, it's lots of fun,
For 18 cents you get a juicy hot dog and a bun.

Thanks a lot Chris! I was a big fan of both Shrimpenstein and Roger Ramjet!
Steve

Cybernetic Parrot Sausage

2005-05-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

A pioneering French scientist has combined the electronics inside a mechanical talking parrot with a high quality German sausage. The result... a CYBERNETIC PARROT SAUSAGE! In truly Magrittian fashion, it says "Ich bin ein wurst!" See it for yourself at the...

Cybernetic Parrot Sausage Homepage

LA Business Journal Cites Hot Dog Spot

2005-03-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Today's LA Business Journal has a great article on the Los Angeles Hot Dog scene written by Andy Fixmer. It has quotes by Hot Dog Spot's own Steve Doggie-Dogg, as well as the folks who operate The Stand and Skooby's. It also reveals the plans of a big Chicago Hot Dog chain to open franchises in Southern California.

Read it at the...

LA BUSINESS JOURNAL WEBSITE

Top Dog Angeleno Award

2005-03-09T22:52:00.000-08:00

OKI DOG
Hollywood

Chicago has its signature dog... New York has its own variety... So what Hot Dog truly represents Los Angeles? The answer may surprise you... It's the Oki Dog! Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures. Walking down the street, you're liable to see people representing just about any ethnic group. The Oki Dog is the icon of that diversity. One part Mexican, another part Japanese, yet another part Jewish and a great big chunk of all-American... that's the Oki Dog. You won't find anything like it anywhere else in the world.

Hot Dog Spot is proud to award Oki Dog its highest honor... The Angeleno Award for the Hot Dog that best reflects the culture and spirit of Los Angeles. For their address and more info, see our review...

OKI DOG

Top Dog Best Hot Doggery & Best Sides

2005-01-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

SKOOBY'S
Hollywood

Late night hot dog munchies in Hollywood have long been the exclusive territory of Pinks' down by Melrose. But there's a new dog in town called Skooby's, and in the immortal words of Hank Williams, "Move over old dog... a brand new dog is movin' in!" Situated in a tiny storefront sharing the marquee with a Mexican evangelical church, Skooby's fits the neighborhood perfectly. After a late night of clubbing or an afternoon of window shopping on Hollywood Boulevard, you won't find a better joint to hit for a quick bite. There's a counter on the sidewalk along with a couple of tables. Sit down with your chow and watch the world go by. Visit with the interesting people you'll find dining al fresco along side you at the best doggery in town. It's a really fun place to hang.

Skooby's has a great dog, and it's always snappy because there's no delay in getting it from the steamer to your mouth. But the sides are what really put the place on the map. Skooby's serves the best fries any of us at Hot Dog Spot have ever eaten... fresh and potatoey with a light dusting of home made seasoning salt. An order comes with a small cup of "aoli"... garlic pepper mayonaise made fresh at Skooby's just for the fries. Unlike most hot dog stands' chili, the chili at Skooby's is good enough to stand up to being eaten on its own. It's packed with freshly chopped top grade meat and it has an unique ingredient... Guiness Stout! Even if you don't like chili on your dog, make sure to try a little on the side. The fresh squeezed lemonade and the frozen fruit ades are displayed prominently in the window, luring in thirsty visitors to the "Walk of Fame". If it's too chilly for juice drinks, Skooby's makes a delicious hot chocolate. It's not a huge menu, but everything here "works" beautifully.

On behalf of Hot Dog Spot and hot dog fanciers all over Los Angeles, we are proud to present Skooby's in Hollywood the 2004 Top Dog Awards for Best Doggery and Best Sides in Los Angeles. For their address and more info, see our review...

SKOOBY'S HOT DOGS

Top Dog Best Toppings, Best Atmosphere & Best Deal in Town

2005-01-25T13:52:00.000-08:00

THE STAND
Encino

We're very proud to present The Stand in Encino with THREE Top Dog Awards! We reviewed this great joint last Summer, and we really need to update our review. Every single one of the problems we had on our first visit has been addressed and corrected. It's clear that the folks at The Stand really care about what they serve, and they're constantly striving to "make better best".

The first Top Dog Award we are presenting to The Stand is Best Toppings. No other Hot Dog stand has as wide a variety. You can get everything from a BBQ Bacon Dog, to a Georgia Slaw Dog, to an authentic Chicago Dog (complete with electric green relish and real sport peppers!), to a Jersey Dog with Italian Pepperonata, to a Prarie Dog topped with tasty corn relish. At the Dogoff, Steve Doggie-Dogg did what no one had done before... He ate ALL TEN of the featured dogs on The Stand's menu. Every last one of them was "lip smackin' tasty".

The thing that really sets The Stand apart though is the atmosphere. It's the most beautiful Hot Dog stand in town, and there was no question that it was going to be our top choice for the Best Atmosphere Top Dog Award. Inside, there's a comfortable, old fashioned 1920s feel; outside on the patio you can stretch out while you hoist a brew and watch basketball on TV; and in the garden, you can sit and bliss out in Hot Dog Zen. There's no better place to hang out and eat dogs on a warm Summer night. Even Moms love the atmosphere at The Stand!

The third Top Dog Award we are presenting to The Stand is Best Deal in Town. On Monday nights after 5pm, Standard Dogs at The Stand drop from $2.99 to just a buck, and Loaded Dogs (with the more exotic toppings) are half price at two bucks a pop. That alone is enough to make it the best deal in town, but The Stand doesn't stop there... draft beer is half price! Hoo Boy! It doesn't get better than that! Monday nights at The Stand are a regular thing for the Hot Dog Spot crew. Come on by next Monday night and say hello!

Hot Dog Spot is pleased to present the 2004 Top Dog Awards for Best Toppings, Best Atmosphere and Best Deal in Town to The Stand in Encino. For their address and more info, see our review...

THE STAND, ENCINO

Top Dog Honorary Wienermeister Degree

2005-01-13T13:52:00.000-08:00

MERRILL
SHINDLER
Feed Your Face, KLSX FM

Many food critics are "hoitie toidie" snobs who wouldn't be caught dead shoving a tubesteak on a roll into their yaps. But Merrill Shindler is a different breed... he just loves good food, whether it's found on Beverly Drive or Van Nuys Boulevard. His weekend radio show, "Feed Your Face" on KLSX FM is a fantastic, up-to-the-minute resource for finding the best places to grab grub in LA.

Merrill knows his stuff! He's served as the editor of the Zagat survey for over twenty years, and has written for Los Angeles Magazine, Bon Appetit and the New York Times, among many others. But even with these impressive credentials, he still considers himself "just a big ole hungry boy, whose main object in life is figuring out where to eat next."

Any critic that writes for Zagat but still considers ketchup a vegetable is OK with us! We're proud to bestow upon him the honorary title of "Wienermeister" for his expertise and unflagging service to hot dog culture in Los Angeles.

In the past, Merrill's radio show has featured interviews with top doggery owners, hot tips regarding new stands, and debates over the best way to cook a hot dog. If you've never heard his radio show, check it out...

MERRILL SHINDLER'S FEED YOUR FACE

Top Dog Best Wiener

2005-01-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

CARNEY'S
Studio City

If you've read Hot Dog Spot for any length of time, you must have noticed that there is one aspect of every doggery that makes it or breaks it... the dogmeat. Without a good wiener in the bun, no amount of condiments is going to salvage it. Carney's was the very first doggery we reviewed way back in the Spring. We've learned a lot about Hot Dogs since then, but Carney's Standard Dogmeat is still our top favorite.

There isn't another Dog in LA that's snappier. Carney's Hot Dog is perfect when it comes to that. When they come out of the steamer, the insides of the Dogs are piping hot, and have swollen to the point where the casing is as tight as a drum. Your first bite snaps like the dickens and the pressure inside squirts delicious hot dog juice into your mouth, inundating you with the nectar of the Gods. This is what the Hot Dog eating experience is all about!

On behalf of Hot Dog Spot and hot dog fanciers all over Los Angeles, we are proud to present Carney's Studio City the 2004 Top Dog Award for Best Wiener in Los Angeles. For their address and more info, see our review...

CARNEY'S STUDIO CITY

Top Dog Best Polish Sausage

2005-01-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

THE WIENER FACTORY
Sherman Oaks

The Wiener Factory is a simple little shack on Ventura Blvd between Van Nuys and Sepulveda. If you're driving eastbound, you almost can't see it at all. But among Hot Dog enthusiasts, the Wiener Factory is well known as one of the best Hot Dog stands in town. They're family owned and operated, and the place has a great informal vibe. Their Standard Dog is great, and it's one of the few places where you can get a Turkey Dog with a natural lamb casing... but the thing that really puts them on the map is their Polish Sausage.

Available in both mild and hot (and they aren't kidding about that!) the Wiener Factory Polish Sausage is textbook perfect. It has a snappy casing, the spices are just right, and the dog squirts when you bite into it. It's a little unusual to find a large size dog like this with a natural casing, but the Weiner Factory knows how important it is to have the proper casing. Topped with their delicious red cabbage and cheddar, this is a dog to die for.

On behalf of Hot Dog Spot and hot dog fanciers all over Los Angeles, we are proud to present the Wiener Factory the 2004 Top Dog Award for Best Polish Sausage in Los Angeles. For their address and more info, see our review...

THE WIENER FACTORY

2004 Top Dog Certificate of Merit

2005-01-02T18:02:00.000-08:00

CHOWHOUND
LOS ANGELES
MESSAGE BOARD

The Chowhound.com site describes itself and the people it serves like this...

Everyone has one in his or her life: the brother-in-law with a collection of 800 takeout menus, the coworker who's always late from lunch because she HAD to trek to one end of town for the best soup and to the other for the best sandwich. Chowhounds know where the good stuff is, and they never settle for less than optimal deliciousness, whether dining in splanky splendor or grabbing a quick slice of pizza. They are the one in ten who live to eat.

No media outlets serve chowhounds. There are no chowhoundish newspapers, magazines or TV shows. And they've never had a place to gather and exchange information. This discerning, passionate crowd has long been completely invisible and utterly disenfranchised... until now!

Chowhound.com's Alpha Dog, professional restaurant critic/author Jim Leff, along with Bob Okumura, launched this site to provide a non-hypey haven where their fellow hounds can opine, bicker, and rave to their hearts' content. Anyone who eats is welcome to stop by for unbiased, savvy chow advice or to just sit back and watch in amazement.

If you, too, fret endlessly about making every bite count; if you'd grow weak from hunger rather than willingly eat something less than delicious, this place is for you!

Over the past year, the Hot Dog Spot team has turned time and time again to the braintrust at the Chowhound Los Angeles Message Board. We share the common quest for the BEST in LOS ANGELES. The Hot Dog Spot team commends the operators and participants of the Chowhound Los Angeles Message Board for their beneficial impact on Hot Dog culture in Los Angeles.

Even if you've never visited the site, chances are if you're reading Hot Dog Spot, you're already a Chowhound. Check it out...

CHOWHOUND LOS ANGELES MESSAGE BOARD

Cupid's Northridge: Not All Cupid's Are Created Equal

2004-11-26T23:36:00.000-08:00

CUPID'S HOT DOGS
9039 Lindley Av, Northridge
No Phone Number
Click for a map to Cupid's

PARTICULARS:
Natural Casing Dog, Chili, Cheese, Basic
Condiments, Chips, Sodas and nothing else!
Open 10 am to 10 pm
Health Deparment Rating: A

DISTINCTIONS:
Open late. Longtime Los Angeles doggery.
Very inexpensive. Good place to chat up cute
college girls.

For months, Hot Dog Spot readers have been asking us when we were going to get around to visiting Cupid's Hot Dogs. It's a valid suggestion, because no other hot dog chain in Los Angeles has as long a history as Cupid's does. Richard Walsh opened the first Cupid's in North Hollywood way back in 1947. For the past half century, Cupid's stands across the valley and sprinkled across Southern California have been serving up the world's most basic selection of fare... Hot Dogs and nothing but Hot Dogs. No Hamburgers, no Fries, no sissy Chicken Fingers or Garden Burgers... just Chili Dogs. The Cupid's Dog hasn't changed a bit. It still sports a natural casing and it's still smothered in the same kind of chili as it was when you were a young'un.

Believe it or not, neither Jon the Food Slob nor Steve Doggie-Dogg had ever eaten at a Cupid's. So we decided to give it a try. However, in the past year or so, Cupid's hot dog stands have been dropping like flies. We discovered that the locations in North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Panorama City and Encino had all gone the way of the dodo. The phone number for one of them was answered by a lady with a thick accent who said, "No more hot dog! Thai food now!" After a bit of searching the phone book, we finally found a listing for Cupid's in Tarzana on Ventura Bl, just a few blocks east of The Wienery. Since we were already planning to visit the Wienery, we decided to kill two birds with one stone and grab a quick dog at Cupid's afterwards to see what all the fuss was about.

Perched on the corner, next to a car wash was a lonely Cupid's stand. The lights were on, but no one was eating. We approached timidly and peered up at the menu. Something seemed amiss. There were "Gourmet Sausages", Hamburgers and other fripperies on there. We were under the impression that Cupid's didn't make that kind of stuff. Steve ordered a Standard Dog with Chili and Cheese, and Jon had some sort of apple flavored Chicken Sausage (only the Food Slob would be secure enough in his masculinity to order a dog like that!) The girl behind the counter slapped the dogs together half-heartedly and shoved them through the window at us. We sat down to eat them, and in unison, we had identical "something stinks" looks on our faces.

The dog was flabby, overcooked and tasteless. There was no natural casing, and the bun was soggy and mushy. In fact, when you chewed on it, the bun wadded up into a soggy mush in your mouth. It had the body and consistency of Wonder Bread. But that wasn't the worst. The chili was completely devoid of meat, and it was jam packed with flour. There was so much flour in it, it took on the consistency of marshmallows suspended in slime. This just wasn't right! How could this be the fabled Cupid's dog we had heard so much about?

We rushed home without finishing our dogs and Steve logged onto the Los Angeles Chowhound Message Board. He posted a question for the culinary brain trust that hangs out there, asking what was up with Cupids. Pretty soon the reply turned up. We were told that there were two kinds of Cupids... authentic family owned locations, and cheapjack franchised ones. The Tarzana Cupid's was one of the latter kind. A friendly Chowhounder nicknamed the Wild Swede (aka Lisa the Cupid's Dog lover) tipped us off to the last remaining original Cupid's location in the valley... the Northridge store on Lindley near Cal State Northridge. This particular Cupid's was her home turf, so she invited Jon and Steve to join her for a Cupid's run as her guest.

We hopped in the car and met her in Northridge. The hut was clean and bare bones. There was an order window and some picnic tables off to the side. The menu listed only one item... hot dog. The options were basic... chili, cheese, onion, relish, mustard and ketchup. There was a certain simple, spartan charm to the limited choices. Lisa ordered her "regular"... two Chili Dogs with extra Chili. Jon the Food Slob had a Chili Dog and a Dog with Mustard and Onions, along with with a bag of chips... and Steve ordered two Chili Dogs with Cheese and Onions, and a Dog with Mustard, Onions and Cheese.

As you can see, the young gentleman behind the counter wasn't too pleased to have his picture taken, but he did a fine job of swiftly assembling the dogs. Cupid's uses the same wooden hot dog caddies we've seen used at The Wiener Factory. It was clear that the steamer was very carefully monitored. The dogs came out in a cloud of steam, piping hot and ready to eat. Our surly server deftly dolloped chili from a vat over our dogs, and In two shakes of a lamb's tail, we had our meals in hand.

The first order of business was to evaluate the dogmeat. It had a nice delicate snap, much like the dogs at The Stand and Skoobys. The meat was very subtly spiced, tending a little towards the bland side, but it wasn't nearly as bland as the tasteless blubber dogs we had gotten at the Tarzana Cupid's. The buns were warm and fluffy, not mushy at all. The chili was pretty devoid of meat and flour enhanced, but it complemented the dogs well and wasn't agressively awful like the marshmallow slime. The overall impression was generic and basic, but relatively tasty nonetheless.

Even though the chili is nothing to write home about, there really isn't any reason to order a dog without chili at Cupid's. The spices in the dogmeat are so subtle, you really need a little bit of a chili kick to set it off. The chili dogs aren't exactly humongous either... even the frailest of frails would want to order at least two of them. But at two bucks a pop, even the poorest college student would be able to afford two or three. Steve Doggie-Dogg commented that the no-frills basic goodness of these dogs would probably make them really popular with kids. Lisa verified this from first hand experience. She's been a fan of Cupid's since she was a wee lass. All of the dogs were devoured in no time flat, and Steve went back for another pair of Chili Dogs to cap it off. Lisa ordered a few to go, claiming that Cupid's Dogs stand up well to reheating in the middle of the night.

As we sat around comparing notes on local doggeries, a steady stream of college kids padded up to the window and sat down to eat at the tables around us. The low prices and rib-sticking chili make Cupid's a great place to fill up for not much money. A fellow dog lover overheard our discussion and joined in with Lisa to sing the praises of the humble Cupid's dog. While Cupid's certainly isn't as exotic as Oki Dog and it doesn't offer the baroque range of toppings like The Stand, it does accomplish what it sets out to do very well. Both Jon and Steve bade Lisa farewell with full tummies and satisfied smiles. It was nice to still be able to taste a little bit of authentic Los Angeles hot dog history.

DOGOFF RESULTS: VICTORY!

2004-08-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

On Monday, August 23rd, hot dog history was made. The Hot Dog Tour boys went head to head with the Hot Dog Spot crew. It was a fight to the finish, but in the end, the Spot came out on top. The Spot and Tour met at at the field of honor... or in this case, The Stand in Encino. A large contingent of fans and supporters of both sides were on hand to view the knock down dragout fight of a lifetime.

Jon the Food Slob introduced Jason "The Bone" Snapskin and Paul Pupdog to the folks at The Stand and pointed out the fine points of the menu to them...

The boys each ordered a passel of dogs and went to their corners to await delivery. The first round of dogs went off without a hitch, Paul wolfed down a quartet of plain dogs with a solo topping here and there; while Jason jumped in with both feet, ordering a slew of chili topped, baked bean bedecked masterpieces... one after another. Jon the Food Slob started off with a conservative three dogs, but hit an oil slick and announced he was sidelined due to a prematurely full tummy. Steve Doggie-Dogg stepped into the breech and proved that slow and steady wins the race. He ordered the left side of the menu in his first pass (five loaded dogs!) and when the waitress came to see if he would like more, he calmly ordered the right side! (another five mammoth dogpiles!)

Inspired by Steve's bravado, the Jason and Paul ordered another round. Things were going along swimmingly for the first few dogs, but it came down to the wire when The Bone started to feel the pain. He reluctantly threw in the towel halfway through a baked bean Boston dog. But being a trooper to the core, he rallied just long enough to devour the beany stub, finishing at eight dogs total. Paul stood at six at this point, putting the Tour at a stomach bursting 14 for the night. It was up to him to strike a blow for the dear hometown of Philly. The owner of the Stand tossed a dog to him, and Paul gamely downed it, mustard and all, to bring the Tour's grand total to 15.

Steve had just completed number 10. Added to Jon's three, that put the Spot behind at 13. Steve ordered a plain dog and ate it with the best poker face he could muster, but it still wasn't enough to match the Tour's score. Just then, the owner of the Stand showed up with ANOTHER free dog to keep the ball rolling! The Bone just looked at it and groaned. Paul smiled weakly and shook his head no. Beads of sweat broke out on Steve's brow... Who was gonna eat it? Just then, the dark horse, Jon the Food Slob came out out of the blue to chomp that doggie down! The Spot was now neck and neck with the Tourists! The perky dogmeat had revived Jon's appetite, so he ordered another plain dog and wolfed it down greedily to put the Spot over the top. Jon's renewed vigor was inspiring, but everyone agreed it was time to throw in the towel. The Dogoff was decided! The crowd went wild... Final score was Jon 5, Paul 7, Jason 8 and Steve at a whopping 11. The Hot Dog Spot had won by a dog. Just to show he was a good sport, Jason ordered cheesecake.

The Thrill of Victory (16 dogs)

The Agony of Defeat (15 dogs)

Click to view The Hot Dog Tour's photo page of the DOGOFF!

Here is the backstory on Dogoff....

All the way from Philly, we hear the rumblings of a turf war in the brewing... Apparently, a pair of dogophiles on the right hand coast have heard of our noble quest and have seen the glittering beauty of Hollywood Frankfurter Culture on display here on this website. They've been inspired to eat their way from Philadelphia to Los Angeles to have a DOGOFF with the Hot Dog Spot crew! So far, they've made it as far as the Big Apple. Jason "The Bone" Snapskin and Paul Pupdawg have created a website called Hot Dog Tour to provide information to the public, solicit government grants and encourage the establishment of corporate endowments to finance bus fare across the country.

As Hot Dog Spot "regulars" already know, the Tour boys have been conducting a poll to determine which is the most noble cause... our own beloved Hot Dog Spot, the Hot Dog Tour or the Ralph Nader Campaign. The poll was removed from the Hot Dog Tour website today with a solid 2 to 1 margin in favor of Hot Dog Spot. The final tally showed a whopping 96 votes for the Hot Dog Spot, 45 votes for Hot Dog Tour, and 4 votes for Ralph Nader. Steve Doggie-Dogg, Chicago Mike, Jon the Food Slob, L.J. Dawgg and Vic Swarthydogg claimed victory this morning at a press conference held at the Academy of Hot Dog Arts & Sciences. "Who's surprised? I'm not surprised. Are you surprised?... No. You're not surprised." Vic Swarthydogg told reporters. Insiders close to the Hot Dog Tour report that the "Tourists" have retreated to their lair in Philadelphia, and are licking their wounds and laying low. They hope to exact their revenge on the Spot at the DOGOFF CHALLENGE.

Who will be the wiener?
Jason Snapskin or Jon the Food Slob?
The DOGOFF consists of an eating contest at The Stand in Encino on Dollar Dog Monday, August 23rd, 2004 at 7 pm. In a pre-Dogoff interview, Steve Doggie-Dogg was quoted as saying, "Those pupsqueaks are in over their heads. The Hot Dog Spot crew will have them tapping out and throwing in the towel before any of us even break a sweat. They'll be laying in a puddle on the floor while we're calling for another round of Big Blues and Slaw Dogs... and another ...and another. THEN... We'll order dessert! They don't stand a chance. The Spot is INVINCIBLE!"

Be sure to visit the... Hot Dog Tour Website to keep tabs on the Tour's escapades.

Oki Dog: The Weirdest Dogs In Town!

2004-07-24T01:07:00.000-07:00

OKI DOG
860 N Fairfax Av, Hollywood
323.655.4166
Click for a Map to Oki Dog

PARTICULARS:
Standard Dog, Polish Sausage,
The specialty of the house... Oki Dog
Burrito, Chili, Pastrami, Fries, Grunge
Health Department Rating: A

DISTINCTIONS:
Open late, Bizarre clientele, Hands down,
the weirdest hot dog in LA

Occasionally, you run across a concept that is so alien... so removed from anything you've ever experienced before... that you just don't know what to think about it. Oki Dog is that sort of place. Using the standards we normally apply to rate hot dog stands, Oki wouldn't even register a single dewclaw of a dog on our Dog Rating scale. The dogmeat is chewy and bland, the chili is very cheap, and the atmosphere is akin to eating in a grimy gas station restroom in the middle of the Mohave Desert. This place is a "dive among dives"... But we have to admit, we kinda like the place. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We'll do our best to describe our experience...

It was a hot Sunday late afternoon. Jon the Food Slob stopped by Steve Doggie-Dogg's office and invited him out for a dog excursion. After consulting the internet, the yellow pages and the telephone, we determined that the only place open that we hadn't tried yet was Oki Dog in Hollywood. We had driven by the ramshackle orange hut on the way to Pinks a few weeks ago. It looked pretty dismal, surrounded by a bunch of overgrown potted plants and some battered lawn furniture. Loitering about were the requisite local "characters" who looked like they were right out of a David Lynch movie. We decided we'd better give it a try in the name of science... some other time. Well, this was the time.

Oki Dog used to be on Santa Monica Bl at Vista... right in the middle of "Boystown", where shirtless young gentlemen can be found on every corner "looking for rides". Since it was close to the Hollywood nightclubs and always open late, it developed quite a following among the punk rock movement. Skinheads, longhairs and mohawks could be seen sitting side by side on the stools chowing down on greasy burritos at all hours of the day and night. It was a real happening place back in the late 70s. We don't really know why, but it never occurred to us to stop in and try the place back then.

Well, the neighbors complained about the unruly mob that hung out there, so the City Council banished Oki Dog to a small hut off the strip on Fairfax. A more respectable chain restaurant with pre-fab food and lots of security guards took Oki's spot on Santa Monica and Vista. If Oki Dog could be said to be on the skids before, this development put it face down in the gutter. Today, many ex-Punks who went on to become accountants and lawyers have fond memories of late nights at Oki Dog. As they drive by their old hangout in their shiny new Beemers or Audi station wagons, they roll their windows up tight, lock the doors and shed a quiet tear for what used to be... But the amazing thing is, Oki Dog isn't just a memory. It still exists. The hut is just the same, albeit a bit more battered around the edges.The food hasn't changed... It was always battered around the edges. The battered people who eat there haven't changed much either. Oki Dog LIVES!

Well, we pulled up to the hut in Jon's Beemer, rolled the windows up, locked the doors and steeled ourselves for a visceral experience like we've never encountered before. "I don't know about this place..." Steve said, looking up at the sign which read "O I DOG". Maybe they aren't even in business any more." "The door's open and the lights are on." Jon said cheerfully, "Let's go do Oki!" We trudged into the hut and were greeted by a sight right out of a documentary on life in third world countries. Homemade plywood benches and tables painted in gaudy colors were littered around the joint. A battered old TV with the jittery picture of a soccer game babbled "Goal! Goal! Goal!" up in the corner. Weird decorations from holidays long past lingered in the eaves over our heads. A drunk hunched over the remains of an Oki Dog in the corner. Video games displayed scenes of urban horror, complete with wild car chases and shootouts between simulated policemen and virtual gang members. And in a tiny pickup window behind an iron fence stood Felix the Chef, waiting for us to place our order.

We looked at each other and shrugged. "What do we want?" Steve asked. "An Oki Dog, I guess..." Jon pushed his face up to the steel bars and asked Felix, "What the heck is an Oki Dog, anyway?" Chef Felix explained that it was two hot dogs in a burrito filled with chili and pastrami. "Pastrami?" "Yes, grilled pastrami." A look of fear flashed across Jon the Food Slob's face. He was having a Huell Howser flashback! "You can do it, big fella." Steve said supportingly. "I'll have one too." Just in case, Steve ordered a Polish Dog and a Standard Dog with Mustard, Onions and Cheese. Jon ordered a backup Standard Dog as well. We sat down with a couple of Diet Cokes to admire the atmosphere until our meal arrived. Before we knew it, Felix handed us two oversized Frisbees filled with food...

The Oki Dogs were so hot, they glowed, so we set them aside and focused on the Standard Dogs first. As Jon took his first bite, Chef Felix came out from his barbed wire enclave, stood on a table, and started banging on the side of the old TV to get the picture to come in clearer. No amount of fiddling with the coat hanger antenna would get a clearer view of the soccer game, so he sat down and watched it in all of its jittery glory. "What do you think of the dog, Jon?" Steve asked, afraid to commit to biting into his own until it was determined to be safe. "Mmmfff... Mmmmfff... CHEWY!" was the only response. So, Steve took the plunge. The dogmeat had no snap and was strangely leathery inside. It was much more tough than any other dog we've ever tasted. It wasn't particularly good, and even though the onions were freshly chopped and the bun nicely steamed, the dog was a bust. The Polish Dog was even worse, with unidentifiable bits of various animals strewn into a terrazzo-like matrix.

The Standard dogs were just about as bad as the slop we were served at Pinks, so we looked at the heaping mounds they call Oki Dogs with some degree of trepidation. "Who's gonna go first?" Jon said. Steve bravely picked up his overfilled tortilla sack and closed his eyes and bit in... There was a silent pause. Steve chewed a bit. He swallowed and took another bite... and another... "Hey, this isn't half bad! Wait a minute... It's great!" The tortilla had been rolled like a figure eight, with chili on one side and grilled Pastrami and two Hot Dogs on the other. By biting into one side or the other, you could control whether you got a mouthful of chili or a gobfull of meat. The Chili was cheap, with plenty of flour added as a thickener, but it tasted meaty and was nicely spiced. We aren't particularly fond of the typical California Dog Stand Chili we've encountered at most places, but Oki's Chili was definitely the best we've had in that style. The Pastrami was stringy and lean, grilled until it had a little crunch... almost like bacon. In the context of the burrito, the chewy Hot Dogs actually worked. The unlikely combination of flavors and textures was heavenly. Steve wolfed his Oki Dog down greedily and went back for a second. He asked Felix to add some raw chopped Onions and Tomatoes to the Chili side. Felix handled the request perfectly, and the second Oki Dog was even better than the first. At $2.50, the Oki Dog is the champion stomach filling bargain of all time, beating out Tommy's chili drenched cheeseburgers for sheer bulk on a budget.

We sat back and enjoyed the Oki Dog afterglow. Steve got a kick out of reading the way customers had altered the plastic letters making up the menu. Beverages listed included FRUIT PUNCHOODLEMAINE and OT OCOA. The "Students & Seniors Special" was unprintably obscene. (But if you squint at the picture of Steve, you can just barely read it...) Jon had an amazed expression on his face as he gazed lovingly at the meager surroundings. "You might think I'm plain daffy, but I think I might just like to come back to this place. It's growing on me." "I know what you mean." Steve agreed. There was something about this place that reeked of Los Angeles. The food was a halfbreed blend of Mexican and All-American, just like the city itself. It filled you up for just a few pesos. The place was ugly and brown, but it was home. There was a definite aesthetic here, and it worked.

The tough part was trying to assign a Dog Rating to this unique experience. As we've done in the past, we worked our way up the list... "Is it better than Pinks at One and a Half Dogs?" "Heck yeah!" How about Costco at Two?" "You betcha." "The Schnitz and Taste Chicago are next up the list at Two and a Half." "That's close, but I think I'd rather eat at Oki Dog than either of those places." "What about Rubin's Red Hot at Three Dogs?" "Nope... That's too far. Rubins beats Oki." So, we decided to award Oki Dog a respectable Two and a Half Dog rating! Who'd-a thunk it?!

UPDATE: September 2nd, 2004

The Honolulu Star Bulletin just published a great story by Betty Shimabukuro outlining the exotic history of the fabled Oki Dog. They even quoted Hot Dog Spot's review as proof of it's bizarre goodness! The best part of the article is a series of photos showing you how to construct your own Oki Dog at home! Check it out...

Oki Dokey: The Oki Dog
Fusion Cuisine to the Max

Photo by Dean Sensui

Yet Another UPDATE: April 3rd, 2006

Jon the Food Slob and I are the subject of a documentary film on (you guessed it!) hot dogs, and yesterday we did a "Dog Day Afternoon" where the video crew followed us around to all five of our "Top Dog" Award Winners. Oki Dog was last on our list, and as the sun was threatening to set, we arrived and staggered into the hut to add yet another hot dog to our already bulging bellies. Chef Felix wasn't there... the place was packed with well behaved punks from Orange County and the bedraggled crowd of "regulars". We ordered and sat down while the video crew chatted with the lady behind the counter.

The director came over to me with wide eyes... "JIMMY is here!" "Where?!" I asked. He pointed to the plastic tarpaulin wall and I could see the faint silhouette of someone sitting just outside. My jaw hit the floor.

Jimmy is a legend in hot doggery in Los Angeles. He's the inventor of the Oki Dog, and one of the most reclusive and mysterious men since Howard Hughes was living in Vegas. The Channel 9 crew that profiled the best dogs in LA couldn't reach him, and the last time anyone I knew had seen him was back in the day at the old location of Oki Dog, as he stomped through the joint yelling, "Finish your goddamn hotdog and get outta here!" to his adoring punk fans.

Through his seconds, Jimmy indicated that he did not want to appear on camera, so we taped our bit on the greatness of Oki Dog with the mysterious shadow on the wall looming tantilizingly behind us. When we were finished, I asked Jon, "Do you want to go out and meet him?" Jon admitted he was a little afraid. But we couldn't pass up this chance to meet hot dog's most elusive celebrity, so we pulled ourselves together and walked out to where he was sitting.

There he was, looking for all the world like some sort of sausage samurai or hot dog yakuza from another age, surrounded by a small retinue of bedraggled (and toothless!) admirers. The great man sat a little distance away from the rest at a table with a checkerboard in front of him. It wasn't apparent who he was playing against.

I walked up to him with my head low and thanked him, telling him how much I loved his Oki Dog. He reached out his hand and shook my hand. I swear to God, it felt just like I was meeting the Pope! He shook Jon's hand too, and gave us a little advice in parting... "Make lotsa MONEY! Hahahaha!" This was the cue for all of his followers to laugh along with him, and we were regaled with laughter as we walked back to the car.

Jon and I just looked at each other. There was nothing we could say.

Wiener Factory: These Babies Snap!

2004-07-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

THE WIENER FACTORY
14917 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks
818.789.2676
Click for a Map to The Wiener Factory

Winner of the 2004 Top Dog Award
for Best Polish Sausage in Los Angeles

PARTICULARS:
Standard Dog, Hot or Mild Polish Sausage
Chicken Dog, Chili, Red Onion, Sauerkraut
Red Cabbage, Cole Slaw, German Potato
Salad, Fries, Chips
Health Department Rating: A

DISTINCTIONS:
Incredibly snappy dogs, Turkey Dog
with natural lamb casing

At Christmastime, when Steve Doggie-Dogg was just a wee pup, his big brother would always volunteer to hand out the presents. He did this so he could hide all of his presents in a hoard behind the tree until everyone else's presents had been opened. The anticipation of opening the presents was just as important to him as actually opening them. We've been doing the same with the Wiener Factory in Sherman Oaks. Steve used to hang out here all the time. We knew it was a "goodie" so we saved it to savor the anticipation of a really good dog. The other day, the exquisite torture of waiting got too intense, so Jon the Food Slob and Steve zipped on down to The Wiener Factory to get their fill of glorious frankfurters. It was a bright sunny day, with temperatures in the mid-nineties... the perfect day to enjoy America's favorite tubular meat product.

When we arrived and got out of the car, our nostrils were greeted with a wonderful smell... the aroma of fresh hot dogs smoking. The Wiener Factory isn't called a factory for nothing... they make their own dogs and sausages from scratch right on the premises. Hypnotized by the tantilizing scent, Steve and Jon were inexplicably drawn to a large, steel-plated door in the back of the hot dog shack. "What's in there?" Jon asked. "Why, that's the hot dog incubator!" Steve explained. "Behind that door stands row upon row of tiny hot dog eggs... ready to hatch forth into cute little cocktail frank chicks. Eventually, they'll grow up to be big, strapping hot dogs for us to eat!" Jon sighed, "Ain't nature grand?"

We walked around to the front door and went inside to place our order. The Weiner Factory is a great place to eat, even on days that aren't as nice as this one was. Steve Doggie-Dogg remembers well the magic of entering the joint on a drizzly Sunday morning a couple of years back... As he opened the door, a cloud of delicious smelling steam wafted out engulfing him. It was one of those experiences that remind you what a joy it is to be alive. Today, however was a sizzler... and the place was packed. The walls of The Wiener Factory are festooned with delightfully inproper jokes scrawled in black marker... "For Sale: Parachute, only used once, never opened, slight stain." "The punishment for bigamy is two mother-in-laws." etc. There's also a wonderful doodle on the wall by Mad Magazine's Sergio Aragones. (That alone is worth the pilgrimage!) We had a lot of fun standing in line and reading the jokes out loud to each other. I'm sure the folks that work there hear the same jokes repeated over and over more times than Shecky Greene's barber!

Steve ordered a Mild Polish and a Standard Dog, both with Red Cabbage, Brown Mustard and Cheese. He also called for a Slaw Dog with Mustard and Cheese, a side of German Potato Salad and a jumbo Diet Coke. Jon the Food Slob decided on a Standard Dog with relish, onions and mustard, and a Polish with Mustard, Onions and Cheese. He picked a knish as a side dish and a Diet Coke to wash it all down with. They started lining up the order right away in a custom made wooden hot dog palette. (We should have gotten a photo of it... we want one for our own backyard barbecues now!) We told the nice lady behind the counter that we'd be outside on the patio when the dogs were ready. It didn't take long...

We weren't disappointed. Steve immediately grabbed his Polish with Red Cabbage and bit down on it. Wow! Textbook perfect snap and a juicy squirt of spicyness in every bite. The Wiener Factory's Polish Sausage is the best we've had so far... we particularly like the fun little tassels of natural casing on each end. The Standard dogmeat wasn't anything to sneeze at either. It was snappy and squirty, but perhaps it could use a bit more smokey spice like the dogs at Carneys. The buns were pretty ordinary. Nowhere near as good as the Poppyseed ones we've been getting on our Chicago Dogs. But at least they were warm and not too soggy.

The Red Cabbage was a big treat for both the eyes and the tastebuds... purpley-red and delicious. Steve felt that it was even better than the great Red Cabbage on the Bockwurst at The Stand. The Slaw didn't come close to matching the "Mom-made goodness" of The Stand's Cole Slaw though. It was generic and flabby, like the stuff you find in the cottage cheese tubs in the market. Even though it was tasty and piping hot, The Wiener Factory's Knish wasn't quite as good as The Stand's either. Jon was impressed by the quality and quantity of the cheese on his dogs. The heat of the meat made it melt beautifully, holding the rest of the condiments together. He found that they put a bit too much relish on his dog for his taste, but after scraping a bit off, it was perfect.

One of the nicest things about The Wiener Factory is the way the food is presented. We couldn't get over how pretty the dogs looked sitting there on the tray. The green of the Pickle Relish, the bright orange of the Cheese and the rich burgandy of the Red Cabbage were as pretty to us as any bouquet of flowers we've ever seen. Each dog is wrapped in white paper with a little twist on top, and opening them up is like opening up presents at a birthday party.

We sat and enjoyed the "Hot Dog Afterglow" for a while, watching the cars whiz by on Ventura Blvd. Steve pointed out that we were sitting smack dab in the middle of the hot dog "Miracle Mile", with Carney's and QT's Chicago Dogs just a bit to the East, and Rubin's Red Hot and The Stand a ways to the West. That's an awful lot of good eating in a relatively small area. We're not entirely sure how Ventura Blvd ended up housing so many hot dog joints, but we're pleased as punch that it did.

Just before we were getting ready to go, Jon the Food Slob pointed out that neither of us had tried The Wiener Factory's Chili. We couldn't properly rate the place without taking that into account, so we trooped back inside and asked for a small taste. Unfortunately, the Chili was no great shakes. It was starchy, but at least it had some discernible meat in it. Neither of us thought it was worth defiling a dog with. We thanked the folks behind the counter and turned to leave. Steve stopped dead in his tracks. "Oh my God!" he exclaimed. "What? What?" Jon asked. "First Sherman Hemsley, then Bozo the Clown, then Tony Orlando... now THIS!" Dumbfounded, Steve pointed up to an autographed picture over the door. "Holy cow!" Jon the Food Slob whispered under his breath, "Is it real?. "Yes, it is." Steve answered with awe and astonishment. Folks, it doesn't get any better than this...

Mr. friggin' T! We were still dazed and starstruck as we walked to the car. "To think that I sat in the same place, eating the same dog as a member of the A Team!" Jon marvelled. Steve nodded thoughtfully. "How do we translate this into a Dog Rating?" We discussed it for a while, and decided that the Polish dogmeat and Red Cabbage made The Wiener Factory even a bit better than Carney's... but the lackluster Chili was enough to put it just a dog hair under Skooby's. So, Four and a Half Dogs! A damn fine showing. We won't deny ourselves the joy of The Wiener Factory any more. This place is going right up to the top of our list.

UPDATE: Already? Yep...

Chicago Mike wanted to try this place that we were making such a big deal about... He was skeptical and wanted proof before we published this review. He ordered a pair of Chicago Dogs, and though he thought the dogmeat was good, he liked the spicing of the Standard Dog at Carney's better. He really liked the buns, but felt they'd be even better with Poppyseeds. His fries were excellent, well done and crunchy with a dusting of seasoned salt, but not quite as potatoey-good as the fries at Skooby's... The toppings on Mike's dog were the best he'd had outside of Chi-town, even if the relish didn't glow in the dark. But the best thing about The Wiener Factory to Mike was the atmosphere. Looking around at the decor, the customers and the people behind the counter, Mike admitted, "This place is a real dog stand." High praise from a Chicago boy!

Weinerschnitzel Burbank: Where's the DER?

2004-07-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

(DER) WEINERSCHNITZEL
3203 W Alameda Bl, Burbank
818.841.1917
Click for a Map to Wienerschnitzel Burbank

PARTICULARS:
Standard Dog, All Beef Jumbo Dog,
Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage, Healthy
Choice Plastic Dogs, Corn Dogs, Chili,
Sauerkraut, BBQ Bacon, Chicken
Sandwich, Hamburgers, Fries, Breakfast
Burrito, Chili Cheese Burrito
Health Department Rating: A

DISTINCTIONS:
79 cent Chili Dogs after 9pm and on Sunday
Open late.

Steve Doggie-Dogg is a rare breed... he's a third generation Los Angeleno. He actually *belongs* here! When you grow up in LA, the words "hot dog" bring one particular name into your mind... Der Wienerschnitzel. "The Schnitz" as locals call it, has been a highly visible part of the SoCal scene for over 40 years. In fact, Der Wienerschnitzel is credited with creating the fast food phenomenon known as the Drive Thru Window. Hundreds of red-roofed A Frames (...with holes cut in the middle to drive your car though) dot the California landscape. However, due to some freak of fate, Steve Doggie-Dogg had never set foot in one.

The other day, Jon the Food Slob was reclining on his Barcalounger, watching Star Trek reruns, when he spotted an ad for Chicago Dogs at Wienerschnitzel on his view-screen. He quickly pulled on a pair of pants, opened up hailing frequencies on his communicator and called his pals, Science Officer Steve and the two Chicago natives, Corporal L.J. Dawgg and Lieutenant Frank N. Beans. Captain Slob commanded them to beam the landing party down to the Schnitz across the street from NBC in Burbank, and advised them to set their tastebuds on "stun". Steve, L.J. and Frank were happy to oblige.

When we arrived, we were surprised to see that it was just "Wienerschnitzel"... the "Der" was nowhere to be seen, having been jettisoned by the home office a couple of years ago. Inside, the stand had the same sort of sterile, corporate charm you find at McDonalds or Jack in the Box, but there was one big difference... Wienerschnitzel has a liquor license! We were sorely tempted to sit down and relax with a pitcher while we decided on our order. We hemmed and hawed over whether to get beer or not until Jon the Food Slob noticed a sign on the wall saying that Chili Dogs were half price after nine. It was 8:45... We didn't need any more temptation. A pitcher was ordered and we started scribbling out our order on the back of a placemat.

Wienerschnitzel has several kinds of dogs... a Standard Dog, an All Beef Jumbo Dog, Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage and Healthy Choice dogs made of some sort of indigestible foam rubber. They even have a Corn Dog, a speciality that never fails to make Jon the Food Slob's mouth water. The Schnitz house specialty is the Chili Dog. Supposedly, they still use the same chili recipe that the founder of Wienerschnitzel, John Galardi invented for the joint way back in 1961. We drafted a long list of dogs to sample... four Chicagos, four Chili Cheeses, two Corn Dogs, a Polish dressed Chicago style, an Italian Sausage with grilled onions and peppers, and a wild card described on the menu only as "All Beef Angels Dog".

Since he was the only LA native in the group, Steve was elected to place the order. He asked the kid behind the counter if any of the dogs had natural casings. "Huh? What's a natural casing?" The manager looked up from the grill and shrugged his shoulders too. "I have another question... What happened to the 'Der' in Der Wienerschnitzel?". "Huh?" was the answer again. "How about this... If I sing the whole Der Wienerschnitzel theme song, can I have a free hot dog?" "Huh?" the kid replied for the third time. "I didn't know there was a theme song... But I'm not allowed to give away free..." Steve interrupted him, " Well what if I DON'T sing the theme song... that's gotta be worth a free dog!" The kid was totally confused and befuddled by this time, so Steve took a deep breath and launched into the jingle that every kid in his elementary school knew by heart back in the mid-sixties...

Yum! Yum! Yum! Yum!
Der Wienerschnitzel!
Come! to Der Wienerschnitzel!
Wienerschitzel hot dogs are the top dogs!
They taste so yummy-yum!
Every bite is full of fun!
Bring your Dad and Mummie!
You'll be so happy when you come! Come! COME!
Der Wieners are Der-Lightfful!
Der's fun in every bite!
Sooooo... Have a happy Wienerschnitzel!
HOT DOG!

When Steve finished singing, the kid behind the counter stared at him blankly and the whole joint fell into an uncomfortable silence. "Oh well... I guess you had to be there..." Steve apologized and gave the kid the list of dogs to grill up. When he returned to the table, Jon, L.J. and Frank gave him a cheerful round of applause. Steve bowed and sat down to wait for our order to arrive. It didn't take long...

That was quite a formidable pile of dogs for 23 bucks! We tore right into them to see how they stacked up. The All Beef Jumbo dogmeat was nicely spiced for a package dog... no snap, but no worse than the ones at Taste Chicago. The Standard Dog was downright meager in comparison. It had absolutely nothing going for it. The Polish Sausage was pretty much identical in size, composition and taste to the All Beef Jumbo Dog. We had a very hard time telling the Polish Chicago apart from the All Beef Jumbo Chicago. The Italian Sausage wasn't really much of a sausage either... In fact, it resembled those weird mutant Oscar Meyer Italian dogs at 7-11. Jon the Food Slob enthused about the Corn Dog, but Steve was skeptical. "How can you tell if it's a good dog with all that corn crap all over it?!" Jon wasn't listening to any of Steve's chatter. He just sat there with half-lidded eyes, munching away on the Corn Doggity goodness, saying, "MMmmmm... MMmm-MMMM!"

Next, the two Chicago natives chomped into the Schnitz's Chi-town specials. "Where are the poppy seed buns?" L.J. asked. "Wait! They sprinkled poppy seeds on top of the dog... Weird!" There were no Sport Peppers on these Chi-Dogs, just Pepperocini, like at Rubin's Red Hot. The relish was authentic electric green though, and the side pickle was tasty and crisp. The onions and tomatoes were nice and fresh... overall, not a bad tasting dog. But the meat didn't exactly compare to a real Vienna Beef dog with natural casing. The chili on the Chili Dogs was considerably better than the slop we've been getting lately. At least it had meat in it and wasn't full of flour. But it wasn't any better than your average canned chili. Everyone agreed that even at 79 cents, the Chili Dog wasn't much of a bargain... If you're dead set on a Chili Dog, spend another buck and get the chili on the much better tasting All Beef Dog.

The grilled onions and peppers on top of the Italian Sausage were OK, but again, they would taste a lot better on the Polish or Jumbo All Beef Dog than on the bland, blubbery Schnitz Italian Sausage. The toppings on the Angels Dog were a total bust... mustard, onions, cheap relish and ketchup... exactly like what you get at the movie theater. At least the Angels Dog was made with the All Beef Jumbo Dog. That was one point in its favor. But everyone, even Steve the LA homeboy, agreed that the Chicago toppings were a lot better than the hometown team's. Two last details to mention... The only kind of cheese at Wienerschnitzel is good old American, and refills on the Cokes were free. All in all, not too shabby a showing for a fast food chain.

Now came the tough part. How were we going to rate this joint? The Standard and Italian Dogs were pretty awful... in the same league as 7-11 dogs. But the All Beef Jumbo and Polish weren't bad at all for a dog without natural casing. We argued among ourselves, throwing numbers back and forth for a few minutes. Finally, Steve Doggie-Dogg decided the only way to determine an accurate Dog Rating was to compare the Schnitz directly to other places we've reviewed...

"Is it better than Pinks with a One and a Half Dog Rating?" Steve queried. Jon the Food Slob piped up, saying that the Schnitz Chili Dog, mediocre as it was, was a lot better than the Huell Howser monstrosity he couldn't bring himself to finish at Pinks. "Is it better than Costco at Two Dogs?" Everyone agreed that it was indeed better than a "parking lot dog". "Working our way up, what about Taste Chicago with Two and a Half Dogs?" L.J. scratched his head and thought carefully, "I don't know. It's really close..." "Next up the list is Rubin's Red Hot at Three Dogs." We all agreed that Rubin's was clearly better, so we unanimously decided to award Wienerschnitzel the respectable middle-of-the-road rating of Two and a Half Dogs.

Wienerschnitzel is a good place for Corn Dog lovers. The Chicago Dog special is pretty good too. But if you want any other kind of topping, pay a few quarters extra and get the All Beef Dog. It's a lot better than the Standard. Jon the Food Slob says he'll go back soon. He can't get his fill of the Schnitz's tasty Corn Dogs. The rest of us might wander back with him for a late night Chicago Dog. Just don't expect us to sing for our supper!

Home Plate Burgers: It's Not How Long You Make it... It's How You Make It Long

2004-07-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

HOME PLATE BURGERS
7615 Reseda Bl, Reseda
818.776.8070
Click for a Map to Home Plate Burgers

PARTICULARS:
Vienna Beef Foot Long Hot Dog, Chili,
Sauerkraut, Cheddar Cheese, Burgers,
Fries, Shakes, Sundaes, Root Beer Floats
Health Department Rating: A

DISTINCTIONS:
Gen-u-wine Vienna Beef Footlongs
with Natural Casings

A google search turned up a menu for Home Plate Burgers in Reseda. Normally, we don't give places without a hot doggity name a second look, but this place was special... they advertised genuine footlong Vienna Beef dogs with natural casings. In fact, the menu unconditionally guaranteed that the dogs sold at Home Plate were "the dogs that SNAP". That's enough of a claim to make this group of dog-boys salivate and chomp at the bit to give 'em a bite! The Vienna Beef dogs with natural casings at QT Chicago Dogs were dee-lish, so we were eager to try the same thing in a hyper-extended version of Freudian dimensions.

Jon's "Beemer" is equipped with satellite navigation, so we punched in the co-ordinates and took off for beautiful Reseda... home of the stars. It turned out that we didn't need a satellite to find Home Plate Burgers... there was a hot dog fifty feet long painted on the roof with the not-too-subtle motto, "Where 12 inches is just average". That wasn't all, the signage for the drive thru window was explicit enough that even after a twelve pack of Old Milwaukee we could probably still find it! The stand appeared to be an old Der Wienerschnitzel, with the signature "A frame" architecture and red and white color scheme. We got out and poked our head in the order window. A cute Latina took our orders... A Kraut Dog and a Chili and Onions for Jon, and a Chili-Cheese, Sauerkraut and Mustard and Mustard, Onion, Cheese, Tomato for Steve. We decided on Diet Cokes to wash it down, and we split a jumbo order of fries.

As we waited for our order to come up, the cute Latina grilled us about the camera... "Wat choo gonna do wit dose pichurz?" she asked in typical SoCal parlance. Jon the Food Slob blew our cover and wrote the website address on a card for her. (His phone number was on the other side of the card... but that's another story.) We settled down at the only table that wasn't encrusted with gobs of dried up ketchup... it wasn't exactly the cleanest hot dog stand we've seen, but who cares if the dog snaps? The metal lawn chairs didn't accomodate Steve's well padded backside, but he made do by shoving a couple of them together. Quick as two shakes of a lamb's tail, we had a whole mess of tubesteak to deal with...

"Yee Gawds! Atsa LONG dog!" Steve exclaimed in astonishment. And they weren't just long, they were really good too. The skin was was the real deal... just as snappy as advertised, with nice spices and a hearty squirt when you bit down. We couldn't have hoped for better dogmeat. The fries were pretty darn good too... very similar to the fries at Carney's. The ketchup came in tiny packets, but the fries were so tasty, we didn't waste time tearing into them. We just gobbled down the piping hot taters naked as the day God created them.

The buns were pretty average... no different than the average supermarket bun... but perhaps there isn't as much of a choice in buns when the dogs are this long. The toppings left a lot to be desired. The Sauerkraut was OK... a bit perky and not runny... and the onions were freshly chopped. The cheese was shredded way too fine, and it was sprinkled on so light, you couldn't even taste it. For some strange reason, Steve's tomato came in a paper envelope, separate from the dog... one single, solitary slice of tomato all on its lonesome. It was a good tomato to be sure, but they charged fifty cents extra for that wimpy lil thang! The chili was abominable. It was bland, full of flour and cornstarch, and relatively untainted with meat. Jon and Steve resorted to scraping it off into the paper boat the dog came in.

As we sat and ate, we watched a steady stream of cars go through the drive in. Home Plate does pretty good business. After a while, a few fellas who had obviously just gotten off work sat down and ordered some hamburgers. The burgers looked mighty fine, stacked high with meat and fresh lettuce, onions and tomatoes. If we get out this way again, we might supplement a footlong with a double decker home plate burger. As the clock struck nine, a lady pulled up to the drive thru window. Before she got a chance to order a single thing... BANG... every light in the place went off. The employees inside hid in the shadows until she went away. I guess they don't cotton to latecomers at this joint!

Steve and Jon walked to the car, discussing how unique Home Plate is compared to other doggeries we've tried. Most places focus all of their attention on the toppings, and let the quality of the dogmeat slide... but Home Plate was the exact opposite. The dogmeat here was first class, but the toppings were mediocre. The snappy footlong Vienna Beef weenies guaranteed them at least a three dog rating, but there was nothing else about the place to justify any more than that. If you're a purist who prefers your dog long, snappy, and bare of toppings, Home Plate may just be the place for you. Chili lovers and those who like their dogs messy will probably want to look elsewhere. We'll probably be back, though... those king sized wieners are a lot of fun to eat.