The humble but mighty hot dog is pretty much the perfect food. It comes in it’s own edible carrying case (the bun) and can be loaded with all sorts of ingredients that complement a snappy, filling dog. It’s the perfect food for when you’re on the run or when you want to sit down for a quick bite or when you can’t decide what you’re in the mood for, since you can throw it all in between a warm bun.
But where is the perfect place to have a hot dog in Los Angeles? There are man,y and here are our top six to begin with.
Cupid’s Hot Dogs
20030 Vanowen St., Winnetka; 2585 Cochran St., Simi Valley; cupidshotdogs.info
This hot dog staple has been around for nearly 90 years and it’s a San Fernando Valley gem. Just look for the tall post adorned with a red heart with a gold arrow going through it and you’re there. Once you’re there, you order through the window, and ordering should be quick because just like a lot of classic spots, Cupid’s keeps it simple with only five options on the menu. They include things like a Chicago Dog, the Reuben, the Triangle (made with the trinity of ingredients: mustard, onions and relish) and the Veggie. The star is the Cupid, a simple dog that’s simply delicious with mustard, onions and a lava-flow of chili. The dog stays snappy despite being buried in the delicious and filling meat chili.
Earle’s on Crenshaw
3864 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles; 323-299-2867 or earlesrestaurant.com
You may recognize this veteran hot dog spot from its appearance on the Netflix series “Street Food USA.” But don’t just admire it from the TV set, go to South L.A. and find out for yourself why this place is so popular. We’ll give you a couple of reasons here, though. Earle’s is known for its split-grilled hot dogs, which means the wieners are cut along the middle to allow all the flavor into the meat, and they’re cooked over fire instead of steamed to give them a more smokey natural bite. Options include the beef jumbo dog, the turkey dog, chicken link and spicy beef link with topping choices like chipotle mayo, BBQ sauce, raw onions, ranch, tarter sauce, hot mustard, sauerkraut, and hot peppers.
ALSO SEE: 6 great hot dogs in Orange County
LA Street Dog
Various locations.
When a hot dog defines a city it must make the list of top dogs in L.A., and the bacon-wrapped street dog has done just that. It’s not made by one certain restaurant or a fancy chef using farm fresh ingredients. These are true street dogs made by Latino immigrants who set up their small portable food carts in streets all over the city to make the iconic dog. When you order one and the vendor asks “con todo” say yes because that means the bacon wrapped dog will be wrapped in grilled peppers, onions, jalapeños and dabbed with a good portion of mayonnaise. But where do you find them? Just follow the smell of bacon outside of any event in the city or to be sure, head to downtown Los Angeles and walk along Figueroa Street to the Convention Center, because there are a few vendors there pretty much daily.
Pink’s
709 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles; 323-931-4223 or pinkshollywood.com
There can be no serious conversation about hot dogs in Los Angeles without mentioning Pink’s, which has been around for nearly 90 years and is arguably the best known hot dog restaurant in the city. It’s a celebrity hot spot where stars like Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Snoop Dogg, and even the great late Huell Howser have had a dog. It’s hard to go wrong with any choice here with options like the 9″ Stretch Chili Dog for those with a huge appetite. If you want spice, go for the Guadalajara Dog, which comes with relish, onions, tomatoes, sour cream plus an option of bacon and jalapeño peppers. If you’re a first timer stick to the star; Pink’s Famous Chili Dog, with mustard, chili, onions and you can add nacho cheese. Do it — add the nacho cheese. And get extra napkins because the chili will drip all over you.
Tiny’s Hi-Dive
12012 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; 424-888-1388 or tinyshidive.com/
Tiny’s is definitely a bar, and one of the best ones on the Westside too. But this bar also has a killer menu of great food and since it’s a Chicago-themed bar, of course it has a Chicago dog. This is a true Chicago dog with all the essentials that make it a Windy City treasure. That means mustard, onion, neon Relish, sliced Tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt. One bite and you’ll be shouting “Da Bears!”
ALSO SEE: 5 hot dogs to try in the Inland Empire for National Hot Dog Day
Wurstkuche
Where: 800 E. Third St., Los Angeles and 625 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles; wurstkuche.com
People who go to this vendor of exotic dogs will definitely have a story to tell because not only are the hot dogs fresh and delicious, but some are made with the meat of deadly animals. Yes, this may be the only hot dog spot feared by wild animals because it specializes in exotic sausages served between a hot dog bun like tattlesnake and rabbit with jalapenos. So does it really taste like rattlesnake? Who knows because who the heck just eats a rattlesnake? But the sausage is a bit gamy, savory and a little milder than one would imagine when devouring a venomous creature. And OK, we’ll just say it, it does kind of taste like chicken. But you’ll dazzle your friends when you tell tales of how you ate rattlesnake, and a rabbit at the same time.