SIZE DOES MATTER!
Los Angeles: The City with the Longest Frank
In the myth of an ideal American summer day, you relax at a baseball game and the only necessary elements for happiness are a cold drink, a steaming hot dog, and a well-worn mitt. Native Angelenos are schooled in this summer bliss from an early age, savoring that first extra long Dodger Dog dressed with ketchup, mustard, relish, and raw onions. Until last year, Dodger Stadium was the leader in ballpark hot dog sales. While Cleveland Indian fans may edge us out of the top spot this year, we still are expected to eat 1.5 million Dodger Dogs in the 2004 baseball season. Los Angeles remains the hot dog consumption capital of the US—according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council we purchase 39,019,128 pounds of hot dogs in supermarkets (www.hot-dog.org).
As fitting a diverse city, there is no traditional LA-style hot dog like you can find in Chicago, New York, or Kansas City. Variety is the rule. Canary Chicken House on Westwood Blvd. serves Iranian-style dogs, a Hebrew National dog on a French roll with mayo, onion, parsley, and pickle. Over in Vernon at Mike’s Hockeyburger you can get a cheeseburger garnished with a sliced hot dog on Armenian bread. A destination food since 1963.
Up late? Oki Dog serves it's namesake (two weenies, pastrami, chili, and cheese in a flour tortilla) until the wee hours, and Johnny’s Hot Dog Stand on West Adams serves up charbroiled hot dogs 24/7.
After an afternoon at Costco shopping for a 10 pound bag of pretzels and deals on liquor, grab the best deal--a two buck special consisting of a dog and a Coke in the parking lot (www.costco.com). Load up on bookcases and 15¢ coasters at Ikea and replenish yourself with a $1.50 hot dog on the way out the door (www.ikea.com).
Bargain mutts can also be had at Hot Diggety Dogs, the well-loved Westside stand. Didi Reese, while known primarily for great cookie and ice cream deals, serves up a filling frank for one buck.
Cupid’s has served up hot dogs with chili on a steamed bun since 1946 to Valley hot dog pilgrims whose devotion rivals that of Pink’s fans. The Weiner Factory in Sherman Oaks offers custom-blended dogs, knockwurst, and sausage. As if to reinforce an LA stereotype, one night a week, free legal advice is offered at Law Dogs Van Nuys. Go for the hot dog, stay for the attorney. If ambience is what you seek in your search for the perfect dog, try Carney's, aboard the renovated train nestled on the Sunset Strip.
Our one and only Hot Dog on a Stick opened in Venice in 1946. Now both their cornmeal-coated dogs and famous fresh squeezed lemonade are in almost every mall. Check them out at the Los Angeles County Fair through October 9th!
What are the origins of the hot dog? One theory posits German roots—hot dogs were called hot dachshunds, in honor of the wiener-like pup, and a street vendor shortened the name to hot dig. Others believe that, some believe that Nathan’s Famous Kosher Hot Dogs, founded in 1916 on Coney Island, served the first hot dog ever. You can try one yourself at Nathan’s sole LA location on Pico Blvd.
Locations:
Canary Chicken House: 1942 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 470-1312.
Carney's Restaurant: 8351 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 654-8300.
Cupids Hot Dogs: corner of Victory Blvd. and Tyrone St., Van Nuys; 16550 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 789-4386; 19336 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 774-1150.
Hot Diggety Dogs: 3470 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 572-9372. www.hotdiggitydogs.net
Hot Dog on a Stick www.hotdogonastick.com
Johnny’s Hot Dog Stand: 4331 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 734-6003.
Mike’s Hockeyburger: 1717 S. Soto Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 264-0444.
Nathan’s: 9216 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 273-0303.
Oki Dog: 860 N Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 655-4166; 5056 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 938-4369.
Wiener Factory: 14917 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 789-2676.

