Hot dog hot spots

L.A. may not have the extreme hot dog culture of, say, New York. But we’ve got plenty of top dogs.

The Stand

First things first. Do you want your all-beef dog steamed or grilled? Or would you prefer a turkey dog? Next, which of the couple of dozen toppings to add? Choice is the name of the game at this high-

style stand with a new little sib in Century City. On Thursday and Sunday evenings, have your dog with a side of live jazz on the expansive patio.

* Basic Stand dog, $2.95. 17000 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 788-2700.

Skooby’s

Local aficionados have pronounced these dogs some of the best in town. We’re suckers for the garlic lover’s dog served on a toasty bun painted with fresh garlic and olive oil. Even if you’re not a hot dog person, the seasoned fries are worth a detour. Hand-cut potatoes -- a mix of strips and chips for textural interest -- are double-fried and served with a side aioli.

* Garlic lover’s dog, $3. 6654 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 468-3647.

Cafe Surfas

The “haute dog” title is apropos for the wiener served at this smart cafe annexed to the cooking supply store Surfas. It starts with a Kobe dog that is split and cooked on a flat grill. This gets slipped into a warm La Brea Bakery baguette, with Dijon mustard and house-made blue cheese cream. Last come chopped cipollini onions in balsamic vinegar.

* Haute dog, $7.95. 8777 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, (310) 558-1458.

Orean’s Health Express

Before there were all those fancy Westside vegetarian spots, there was Orean’s, where you can get a tasty chili cheese dog that is 100% vegan. Say what? Well, the dog is a steamed veggie dog, the cheese soy and the chili made with soy protein, black, red and pinto beans and chili sauce.

* Chili dog, $3.39. 817 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 794-0861.

Weeneez

Proprietor Julie Rico spent a year perfecting the beef chili served at this sleek 6-month-old dog specialist and art gallery. So it’s no wonder the chili dog hits the spot. A nitrate-free, all-beef, chubby Thumann’s dog with that prized snap is topped with Gulden’s brown mustard, a generous ladle of that aforementioned chili and finely chopped white onion.

* Chili dog, $3.31. 500 S. Spring St., downtown L.A., (213) 817-6002.

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-- Leslee Komaiko