Dogs with Personalities

I never understood why people would go out to buy a single hot dog or sausage when you can buy around 4-8 more in a grocery store for about the same price. I then came to Berkeley and found that one of the most beloved restaurants is Top Dog. As a student, I decided to try the place and although I thought it was good, there was nothing particularly special about the food. They are just flavored, grilled sausages in grilled buns, with the traditional condiments of relish, onions, ketchup, mustard, etc. Don't get me wrong, this place is good at what they do but I've just never been too fond of it.

However, after coming across this place near Melrose, I take back what I said about buying hot dogs and sausages. The sausages and dogs here are topped with mouthful of toppings that can make your dog deadly but deviously delicious. Pinks Hot Dogs, located on La Brea, features tasty dogs with personalities that has been around since 1939. It is probably one of the most popular hot dogs stands you can find in the nation. Pink's is a family-owned restaurant that started out like any other hot dog stand, until about ten years later the family decided to expand the hot dog stand as a tiny shop that looks like a giant hot dog stand. The size of their sausages and foot longs are huge that one dog is enough and two is plenty. The menu consists of traditional toppings, such as bacon chili cheese dog, chicago polish dog, new york dog, polish pastrami with swiss cheese dog, nacho cheese dog, guacomole dog, turkey dog, and more. However, I love to order from the specials menu, which name creative hot dog concoctions after actors, actresses, and tv shows. Here's an idea of what you'd find in the Specials menu:

Three Dog Night 3 hot dogs, wrapped in a giant tortilla, 3 slices of cheese, 3 slices of bacon, chili & onions

The Today Show Dog - 2 hot dogs in one bun mustard, onions, chili, cheese & guacamole

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Dog Topped with yummy coleslaw & chopped tomatoes

Martha Stewart Dog 10" Stretch Dog, relish, onions, bacon chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut & sour cream

L.A. Philharmonic Conductor Gustavo Dudamel Dog Stretch hot dog, guacamole, American & Swiss cheese, fajitasmix, jalapeno slice, topped with tortilla chips

MULLHOLLAND DRIVE DOG - 10" STRETCH dog grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, nacho cheese & bacon

THE OZZY SPICY DOG - Spicy Polish Dog, Nacho cheese, American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole & chopped tomatoes

Rosie O'Donnell LONG ISLAND DOG 10" Stretch Dog, topped with mustard, onions, chili and sauerkraut

The Planet Hollywood Dog Polish Sausage, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, bacon & cheese

Lord of the Rings Dog 10" Stretch Dog, Yummy BBQ sauce toppped with onion rings

The Patt Morrison Baja Veggie Dog topped w/fresh guacamole, chopped tomatoes and chopped onions

America the Beautiful Dog 12" Jalapeno Dog, pastrami, bacon, lettuce, & chopped tomatoes

The Planet Hollywood dog is one of my favorite dogs here, with polish sausage smothered in bacon and nacho cheese, it is messy but so savory and succulent. If you love hot stuff, the Ozzy Spicy Dog is the dog for you, requiring cups and cups of milk (unfortunately for me there was only water which doesn't help). So find a dog that fits your tastebuds because Pink's is likely to have one for you.

Pink's success has allowed its little hot dog to expand with sides of onion rings, fries (any way you like), burgers, and sandwiches, and the menu accomodates for vegeterians, vegans, koscher, and healthy-conscious folks. However, if you come here, you'll probably want to try a dog or two. The service is great and the food is awesome, but seating and waiting in line can be a hassle. Lines extend to the end of the block even during off peak hours and can be a half-hour to an hour wait. However, this historical hot dog stand is worth trying once you're in life.

709 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
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