A Hunt for the Best Hot Dogs in LA
August 13, 2021
Who has the best hot dogs in Los Angeles? Let’s delve into the best LA hot dogs served at some amazing and iconic hot dog places in LA.
Wurstküche for Brat and Bock Dogs
Head to either Venice or the Arts District for one of the best German-style dogs in The Big Orange. With two locations, Wurstküche is beloved for bratwurst and bockwurst, plus sweet and hot Italian sausages served on soft buns. All topped with delights including sauerkraut, spicy peppers, and caramelized onions. You'd be remiss not to have your dog with a side of Belgian fries and Wurstküche's signature dipping sauce. And perhaps a draft from their immense selection of German and Belgian beers.
Dirt Dog’s Bacon With Green Chile Spread
The name might not sound so appetizing, but Dirt Dog serves up delectable bacon-wrapped dogs. While Dirt Dog has expanded, across the city and recently to Las Vegas, purists say they're best enjoyed at Dirt Dog's original University Park location. And start by ordering the original House Dog, with an all-beef Nathan's hotdog wrapped in center-cut bacon and topped with Dirt Dog's popular green chile spread. Then you can continue to the Green Dog with chimichurri and guacamole, the Red Dog with chipotle aioli, or perhaps even the Snoop Dogg with coleslaw and barbecue sauce.
Vicious Dogs for Vienna Beef
The North Hollywood favorite offers some of the zaniest build-your-own dogs in town. Keep things simple with a basic Beef Vienna Dog or go with some of their adventurous offerings such as the Big Surf Dog with sweet and spicy chili glaze, onions, peppers, and fried shrimp. How about a Peanut Butter Dog? The bacon-wrapped dog has peanut butter, plus the option for chocolate candy pieces, or bananas and honey. Vicious Dogs has more than three dozen different dogs–all customizable!
Classics at Carney’s Restaurant
Los Angelinos have long been familiar with Carney’s Pacific Railroad car on Sunset Boulevard, a bright yellow landmark that's been serving since 1975. They've since expanded to Studio City as well. While Carney’s is popular for burgers and comfort food of all kinds, the hotdogs are particularly popular. The classic Carney's dog has chili and tomatoes, the New Yorker has sauerkraut and mustard, while the famed Red Baron brings Carney's signature red cabbage.
Cupid’s Hot Dogs in Car-Hop Style
You won't find a bunch of creative concoctions at Cupid’s Hot Dogs; they serve their dogs pretty much the same way they did when they first opened their doors in 1946. They do have a Chicago-style dog with sport peppers and big pickle spears, and a Reuben with sauerkraut, but most folks go with the classic Cupid, with mustard, onions, and chili. All brought to you once a week car-hop style by servers on roller skates!
California Creations at Dog Haus Biergarten
For something with a bit more California style, Pasadena's Dog Haus offers skinless all-beef dogs that are antibiotic and hormone-free, served on spongy Hawaiian bread buns. Go for the Sooo Cali with avocado, arugula, and spicy basil aioli. The Old Town piles on caramelized onion, smoked bacon, pickled jalapeños, and cottage cheese, while their Pineapple Express mixes pineapples and crispy onions in a sweet ginger glaze. As you can probably guess by the name, the Dog Haus Biergarten also has a huge selection of beers on draft.
Fab Hot Dogs for Deep Fried Delights
While it's an LA legend, Fab Hot Dogs in Reseda proudly serves its dogs in true east-coast style. Their famed Rippers are natural casing hot dogs made in New Jersey that they have flown in for deep frying. Fab also offers an ode to Chicago with an all-beef dog on a poppy seed bun topped with sport peppers, neon relish onions, and a big juicy pickle spear. In with the two dozen hot dogs on Fab's menu you'll find a Carolina Slaw Dog, a Mac N Cheese Dog, and a Philly Cheesesteak Dog.
Oki-Dog to Taste LA History
Oki-Dog is more a rite of passage and less a spot to get a serious hotdog fix satisfied. You won't find many Los Angelinos who haven't driven past this iconic hotdog stand on Fairfax, and most have stopped for a tortilla-wrapped hotdog. Oki-Dog keeps things basic: two dogs with chili, cheddar, and pastrami in a flour tortilla. Inspired by a creation in Okinawa, Japan, and popular on LA's punk scene in the 70s, at Oki-Dog you are savoring a true taste of LA culture.
Have you worked up an appetite yet? There’s no need to wait. Amazing hot dogs in LA are made every day and just waiting for you to take a bite.
Written by William McCleary for Knockaround.
