Okay, I'm Back On My Soapbox
I know I'm not an L.A. native, and perhaps that sort of thing matters in a case like this, but once again, the Dodger Dog is being placed in some pretty lofty company with which it doesn't belong. Yes, the somewhat sorry excuse for a ballpark dog has been nominated by AOL CityGuide for its "City's Best Hot Dogs 2007" honor for Los Angeles. From the press release sent by the Dodgers:
"The world famous Farmer John Dodger Dog is competing against Carney’s, Hot Dog on a Stick, Jack’s Diner & Billiard Club, Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom, Nathan’s Famous, Skooby’s Hot Dogs, Weiner Factory, The Stand and Pink’s... The Dodger Dog has been a staple at Dodger Stadium since 1962. The Travel Channel named Dodger Stadium the world's best stadium for fine dining in 2004."
The Dodger Dog is competing against the likes of Carney's, Hot Dog on a Stick, Jack's Diner and Billiard Club, Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom, Nathan's, Skooby's Hot Dogs, Weiner Factory, The Stand, and Pink's. I've never thought of L.A. as a hot dog city. Tofu dog, maybe, but not hot dog. But I can vouch for the fact that at least three of these- Hot Dog on a Stick, Carney's, and Pink's- leave the D.D. in their ketchup, mustard, and relish laden wake. Not even close. And I can't imagine that something called the "Weiner Factory," or a place called "Skoobys" doesn't do better work, too. I also like how they try to slip in that item about the "fine dining" award right behind the Dodger Dog. I've seen the Dugout Club. That's some tasty looking stuff. But it isn't the Dodger Dog area that pretties it up.
Should you choose to exercise your muscles of culinary democracy, you can vote here for the Dodger Dog. Turn it into a referendum on Ned Colletti's winter accomplishments, or a nod to the beautiful atmosphere the Ravine provides. Go ahead, make a mockery of whatever standards of excellence exist in the L.A. hot dog scene.
Not me, though.
BK
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BK,
Why are you crying like a little beeeatch about the Dodger Dog again? SOUR GRAPES!! HAHA!!
Seriously, man, you need to come up with another obsession. I'm actually starting to think you're developing some kind of fetish for weiners. It's a sign of things to come. HAHA!
Posted by: LoLo | December 20, 2006 at 11:13 AM
As some of you may remember, I'm not the right guy to comment one way or the other.
http://dodgerblog.typepad.com/sports_baseball_dodgers/2006/05/i_have_a_confes.html#more
That said, judging on the basis of "the pure visual appeal of a food group I wouldn't eat," Dodger Dogs sure don't look as good as the stuff at I've seen at Pinks and Carneys. But again, what the hell do I know?
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | December 20, 2006 at 11:16 AM
AK,
Did you ever end up trying a Dodger Dog? If so, what were the results?
Posted by: LoLo | December 20, 2006 at 11:19 AM
K bros,
The dodger dog is a piece of nostalgia, it's the Angeleno's Green Monster. You could replace it if it isn't your favorite thing, but if it left you would miss it forever.
Besides, the real crime is WHERE IS THE OKI DOG?
Lets hope the Dodgers get Price and Alvarez. And the Broncos move to LA, it's Los Vanderbilt baby!
Posted by: Alec | December 20, 2006 at 11:39 AM
ummmm....not to pee in the cheerios here but maybe we should all say a quite "It's Time for Dodger Baseball" for one of the esential people in the Dodgers winning their first WS...Layy Sherry passed away last night I guess:
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/20/sports/baseball/20sherry.html%3Fem%26ex%3D1166763600%26en%3Dfa6c274c2efa1090%26ei%3D5087%250A&e=14823&sa=X&oi=news&ct=result&cd=1&usg=__GBC-yvS_8QNEmPNxjiLHd_4n71w=
MVP of the 1955 WS as I recall reading...
Posted by: grumpy3b | December 20, 2006 at 11:42 AM
as far has dawgs go...nothing beata a Tommy's Chili Dawg in LA.
And btw, the last few times I had been to Dodgers Statium the DD were, wel, less then exceptional...far less.
Posted by: grumpy3b | December 20, 2006 at 11:45 AM
I have eaten the majority of those hot dogs, as well as hundreds of dodger dogs so i can relate. All of those hot dogs, on any given day, are better than the average dodger dog from the regular vendors, but the ones that are judged are the doger dogs that they serve to the boxes and probably the seats right above home (ive never sat there). They are grilled perfectly, and the buns are always really soft and fresh, and obviously not falling in half. A good doger dog is an exception, but it is extremely good. Farmer John makes a quality dog.
Posted by: evan | December 20, 2006 at 12:00 PM
The Weiner Factory would probably place in the top three actually-- pinks and carneys are better--- never tried scoobys. The Stand is great too-- i have watched many a dodger games there with my chili dog-- Ventura blvd, and genesta in Encino..
Posted by: evan | December 20, 2006 at 12:03 PM
I have to admit, I always get a double western bacon cheeseburger from carls jr., not a dodger dog. Though the spicy dodger dog is much better than the plain skinny dodger dog.
Posted by: nathan118 | December 20, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Pinks Is The Baddest Dog Around! Any Of You Outsiders From Other States Are Reading This, When You Come To LA, Go To Pinks! Ya Wont Reget It! I Love The Dodger Dog And All That, Its More Of A "Im In Dodger Stadium So I Have To Get A D.D." Type Of Thing. More Of A Moment Impulse. Basically, Its A Plain Ol Dawg.
Posted by: THE WOLF | December 20, 2006 at 01:19 PM
AK,
"...Dodger Dogs sure don't look as good as the stuff at I've seen at Pinks and Carneys..."
That's what condiments are for! I slather mine with ketchup and lots of onions. Mmmm. Dodger Dogs.
Len
Posted by: Len Penzo | December 20, 2006 at 02:08 PM
Oh, C'mon BK, now this is anti-homer sentiment. Just like AK with his anti Carl's Jr. rants. If they were Hardee's and St. Louis Schlongs (I'm taking a guess) then i bet you'd love'em. Don't rain on the dodger dog parade.
Posted by: bmurph | December 20, 2006 at 02:14 PM
i like the dodger dog and all, but best hot dog in LA? come on. i don't know if you guys ever walk the streets of downtown, but they have hog dog carts/vendor that have me drooling. the dogs are grilled, HUGE, & if you want wrapped in grilled onions.
I remember it was only $1.50 when i was in high school (early 90s), but they jumped up to $2.50 this past year :(. just talking about them makes me want to drive from the OC. wonderful, wonderful dogs.
oh.. yes i did buy my wife a new car. honda element. 5 hours of at the dealership of back & front. only if i had a scott boras type friend, i bet i could've gotten 2 elements for the 21k i paid.
Posted by: sok | December 20, 2006 at 02:59 PM
Sorry everyone but the Costco hot dog is the best.
1/4 lb. Hebrew National beef with a sesame seed bun.
$1.50 with a soda. Can't beat it!
Posted by: Andy B | December 20, 2006 at 04:05 PM
By the way, if you want to talk about lousy dogs, just what IS that thing they serve at the Fen that they claim is a hot dog? Weird bun, or was it a piece of plain white bread wrapped around the poor pooch like a bun? Worst dog I've ever had at any ballpark, IMO -- including the minor leagues (and Little League).
Theo needs to spend some of the money he chose to waste on DL Drew and invest it in some cutting-edge hot dog R&D.
Len
Posted by: Len Penzo | December 20, 2006 at 05:04 PM
Lolo,
Nope, I never did venture down Dodger Dog Lane. I almost did during the tail end of that horrendous slump as an "I'll do anything to end this skid" thing, but then I realized I was already nauseous from the play on the field, so why feed the beast? haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | December 20, 2006 at 05:07 PM
sok-
I LOVE those cart people. Especially the dudes who wrap it in bacon. Grilled onions, jalepenos, etc. SOLID.
I accept the nostalgic value of the Dodger Dog, but they're just not a good dog. Certainly not the finest in a city with as much dog to offer as L.A. When our standards go, what's next?
By the way, anyone waiting for some real news? I know I am.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | December 20, 2006 at 05:16 PM
BK,
“By the way, anyone waiting for some real news? I know I am.”
That was the first thing I thought of when I saw today’s thread. I said to myself “Damn, BK is REACHING”. But did you have to fuel your hatred for the beloved Dodger Dog…AGAIN?? HAHA!!
p.s. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re going to get ANY Dodger news until the spring. Something tells me we’re done maneuvering since I don’t believe Ned will end up moving Penny.
Posted by: LoLo | December 20, 2006 at 05:30 PM
AK,
Well NOW we know who’s to blame for that rough stretch. If you had been a real trooper and taken one for the team that 1-13 skid would have ended much sooner. As Plaschke would say, “Shame on you”. HAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | December 20, 2006 at 05:42 PM
BK:
OK, here is some funny news. More proof sports agents are nothing but a bunch of stoopid slimy Botards...I just read a piece over on the AP about a dude who apparently managed to do the identity theft thing on about 90 active, retired and I would assume DEAD MLB players.
But here is the kicker, he got the old paychecks, SSNs, birth dates, DL's & pretty much you name it by digging through the trash from SFX Baseball Inc. headed by Pat Rooney & some other scrub.
So let's see they get the players to sign their deals, let them manage the player's money and this and that...and in return the cannot perform the very most basic amount of security to protect the player's personal information. Just chuck it in with the old hot dog wrappers and mustard containers and whatever comes outta the biscuit bucket in the ladies room...
That is just all sooooo special!! Yeah, I want those guys handling my career and money...
OK, I know it wasn't much but it's the best I could find...but at least I tried even if you did make me picture Tommy doing the Milkshake dance...
:D
Posted by: grumpy3b | December 20, 2006 at 05:52 PM
Lolo,
Plaschke's sharing that press box and dining area with me. I doubt he's chiding me for not inducing vomit. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | December 20, 2006 at 05:56 PM
Here's some big news...
The Nats signed C/1B Robert Fick to a minor league contract.
I know you all were DYING to know where the versatile Fick would end up. And now you know.
This is Paul Harvey signing off. Gooday!!
Posted by: LoLo | December 20, 2006 at 06:13 PM
In other news, KC signed Zach Day and Brandon Duckworth to “minor league” deals.
In other words, they were signed to the Royals’ 25-man roster. “Minor league” is a term KC likes to use in order to deduct contracts on their federal taxes.
See, there’s plenty going on out there. HOT STOVE, BABY!!
Posted by: LoLo | December 20, 2006 at 06:16 PM
Two things ...
you HAVE to get a grilled dog. They also serve BOILED, which aren't nearly the same.
Secondly, they changed food companies and the dog took a sad turn last season.
But my god, man ... you're running a Dodger blog and trashing the Dodger Dog?
You can trash my management, players, owners, even maybe poke fun @ Lasagna the Hutt (Lasorda), but you don't trash the stadium or the dog.
Peace, I'm out ...
Posted by: Nick | December 20, 2006 at 06:26 PM
The Costco $1.50 is the best value, considering they are all BEEF.
I would vote for the Nathan's hotdog in Coney Island.
I moved to OR last summer and can't find Nathan's hotdogs anywhere. I was able to buy them at Walmart in NV. I BBQ them and try to seer them on my own.
Posted by: Bigblue48 | December 20, 2006 at 07:08 PM