California Hot Dog Joints Among 75 Best In U.S.: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA — Independence Day is special, and not just because it’s America’s birthday. It’s one of the few days of the year where it’s OK — nay, encouraged — to be a kid again and stuff your face with more meat and buns than your stomach can possibly handle.

But the Fourth of July holiday is also a day when self-proclaimed “grill master” Uncle Benny decides it’s a good idea to cook 75 sausages at the same time — and ends up undercooking exactly all of them — while repeating the Oscar Mayer weiner song because, in his eyes, it “never gets old.”

Sound familiar?

Luckily, the good folks over at The Daily Meal say California is actually home to four of America’s 75 best hot dog joints. So if you’re like the many others anticipating a less-than-edible sausage, why not treat yourself to a real dog.

Here are the best hot dog joints in California, how they rank and where you can find them, according to the report:

Cupid’s, Van Nuys,

National rank: 71

In business since 1946, Cupid's claims to serve the best chili dogs in Los Angeles, and we aren't inclined to argue even though the nation's second best hot dog joint is a Golden State staple. Cupid's makes a strong argument with a chili sauce boasting a "thick mixture is rich and hearty, brimming with flavor from garlic, chili powder, fennel, and apple cider vinegar. It’s delicious on its own, but even better when ladled onto a dog topped with mustard and onions," according to The DaiLy Meal. "It’s called “everything” even though it’s just three toppings, a sign not only of the limited menu, but also of the fact that it’s everything you’ll need for a world-class dog.

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

National rank: 64

Dodger Dog, baby, Dodger Dog! The only thing as American as baseball and apple pie is baseball's greatest dog, the Dodger Dog. "It's a beef–pork blend, 10 3/4 inches long (there is also an all-beef version), served on one of those bready, dryish buns that always seems to be cracking a little," according to The DaiLy Meal. "At Dodger Stadium, the dogs are sold both grilled and steamed — there's a separate line for each — and more than two million of them are consumed in an average season, making them the No. 1 wiener in Major League ballparks. These days, these popular dogs are also sold in grocery stores, in Dodger Dog restaurants, and (can there be any greater compliment?) in other Major League venues around the country."

Dog Haus, Pasadena

National rank: 41

At Dog Haus there is no such thing as too much. Excess is a myth. Don't judge. Who says you shouldn't top your hot dog with Fritos?

"The Dog Haus is a mecca for tube steak excess in all its multi-topping glory. With selections like the Grand Slam (an all-beef skinless dog topped with bacon, a fried egg, tater tots, and maple syrup sriracha), the Dog Haus has successfully convinced healthy, sensible Southern Californians that stuffing their faces with a Little Leaguer (chili, Fritos, shredded Cheddar, diced onions) is preferable to having a beach body," reports The DaiLy Meal.

Pink’s, Los Angeles

National rank: 2

We take issue with Pink's being listed second to anyone. And that's not just because being born and raised in California taught us to distrust any list that puts New York above Los Angeles. Pink's is a national treasure. The family-owned hot dog stand has been around since 1939, serving lines that wrap around the corner.

"At our last count, owner Richard Pink said he offers 35 varieties of hot dogs and toppings and sells on average about 2,000 hot dogs a day. Credit much of Pink’s success to its chili — it once led then New York Times restaurant critic Ruth Reichl to go dumpster-diving to figure out the recipe (true story)," according to The Daily Meal. "And while he wouldn’t divulge its ingredients, in an interview with The Daily Meal Pink did note "that it needs to be relatively smooth, but still have enough texture to make it stand up to hot dogs and hamburgers." For all the bacon-, sour cream-, guacamole-, pastrami-, and nacho cheese-topped hot dogs, the Three Dog Night is the right move. This "dog" (shouldn’t it really be called a meal?) features three hot dogs wrapped in a giant tortilla with three slices of cheese, three slices of bacon, chili, and onions."

Chicago, where hot dogs are a religion, dominated the list with 11 mentions — the most of any city — including two in the top 10. But the king of the wieners is Katz’s Deli in New York City’s Lower East Side neighborhood.

“Made especially for the restaurant by Sabrett, these garlicky, natural-casing, jumbo-size all-beef dogs spend such a long time on the flat-top grill that the outside gets a nice char and snaps when you bite into it,” the authors note. “A smear of mustard is all that’s needed, but a little sauerkraut or stewed onions certainly won’t hurt. It’s a perfect hot dog, from a perfect deli.”

Photo credit: Shutterstock