Hot Dogs
Slathered in mustard, piled with sauerkraut or covered with chili, hot dogs are an American favorite.
* Jody Maroni Sausage Kingdom: The all-beef dog comes in regular and quarter-pound sizes, steamed or grilled. The Chicago dog has mustard, tomato, relish, pickles, celery salt and cucumbers, the Coney Island is a chili cheese dog. (Hot dog, $2, $2.75; Chicago dog, $2.75; Coney Island dog, $2.95.) Jody Maroni Sausage Kingdom, 2011 Oceanfront Walk, Venice, (310) 822-5639; Westside Pavilion, 10800 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 475-2800; Universal CityWalk, 1000 Universal Center Drive, Universal City, (818) 622-5639; the Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd. West, Orange, (714) 769-3742.
* Tail of the Pup: This architectural landmark, shaped like a 17-foot hot dog, has been around since 1945. Beef dogs include “the baseball special” (mustard, relish, sauerkraut) and “the extreme” (chili, cheese, tomatoes, mustard, onions and relish). (Baseball special, $2.50; the extreme, $3.35.) Tail of the Pup, 329 N. San Vicente, West Hollywood, (310) 652-4517.
* Pink’s: There’s been a line down the block here since 1939. All-beef dogs include regular, 10-inch, mild or spicy Polish and 12-inch jalapeno dogs, with a variety of toppings. (Chili dog, $2.25; stretch, $2.40; Polish, $2.80; jalapeno, $3.20.) Pink’s, 709 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 931-7594.
* Hot Diggity Dog: Here are the same Sabret dogs you get from carts in New York, topped with mustard, relish and onions. For a bit extra, you can add sauerkraut, red onion sauce or chili and cheese. And if you’re vegetarian, there’s a tofu dog. Hot dog, $2.25; tofu dog, $2.25.) Hot Diggity Dog, 603 W. Hollywood Way, Burbank, (818) 563-3647.
* Cupid’s Dog: These crunchy-skinned dogs are topped with chili, mustard, onions and American cheese. You can also get a kosher hot dog or a turkey dog with chili. (Cupid’s dog, $1.95; kosher hot dog, $2.25; turkey dog with chili, $2.25.) Cupid’s Dog, 16550 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 905-6515.
* Costco: These markets sell a quarter-pound hot dog on a warm sesame bun. You can refill your 20-ounce drink as often as you like, so the price is unbeatable. (Hot dog, $1.50.) Costco, 13463 Washington Blvd., Culver City, (310) 754-2011; 10950 Sherman Way, Burbank, (818) 840-8115; 2901 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz, (323) 661-8791; 2751 Skypark Drive, Torrance, (310) 891-1028; 6100 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, (818) 989-5256.