1. Brats Brothers

Bring on the lederhosen and polka music. At this casual German eatery, where pretzels dangle overhead and the waitresses sport short, printed dirndl dresses, you can choose from well over a dozen sausages. But you can also get a fat, juicy, grilled Hebrew National dog on a warm, toasty roll. Now the mustard fun begins. On each table is a round tray of a dozen-plus condiments, mainly mustards. Be sure to try the hot and sweet wasabi-honey version as well as the runny beer mustard. And if you’re dining with a group, a giant, warm, salt-crusted pretzel is a must for the table.

Brats Brothers

More information:

Address:

13355 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Phone:

00 1 (818) 986-4020

Website:

www.bratsbrothers.com

2. Carney’s Sunset Strip

Who wouldn’t want to eat a hot dog in a stationary train car overlooking the legendary Sunset Strip? Such is the allure of Carney’s. The original West Hollywood location dates back to 1975, and it’s as popular as ever, an L.A. icon that attracts a steady stream of families, rockers and blue-collar workers. The beef franks are among the town’s snappiest. Chili dogs get a squiggle of yellow or spicy brown mustard and then a generous hit of the lush, decadent chili along with chopped onion and thick tomato slices. You can also get the “Red Baron,” crowned with grated jack cheese and neon red pickled cabbage. Some might argue that you aren’t a true Angeleno until you’ve eaten a Carney’s dog.

Carney’s Sunset Strip

More information:

Address:

8351 Sunset Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90069

Phone:

00 1 (323) 654-8300

Website:

www.carneytrain.com

3. Dog E. Style

R-rated name aside, there’s lots to like about this relative newcomer, including an entire wall of condiments. “It’s like Yogurtland but with hot dogs,” offers the guy behind the counter. In addition to the dog accessories you’d expect, there are also items like pesto mayonnaise and garlic chili sauce. Thesignature dog, a thick link made of beef, pork and veal, is juicy and flavorful. Try it with melted shredded cheddar cheese, grilled onions, chopped dill pickle and a healthy shot of the house sauce, which is like a spunky Thousand Island.

Dog E. Style

More information:

Address:

6323 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028

Website

www.dogestylehotdogs.com

4. Dog Haus Biergarten

Happiness is a Sooo Cali dog, a pitcher of beer and some good friends on the patio of this urban cool dog spot. Like all of the hot dogs here, the Sooo Cali is served on a buttered and griddled Hawaiian bread bun, so you get those good, perfectly-crisped greasy edges. The beef link is substantial, and shares bun real estate with fresh arugula, juicy sliced tomatoes, ripe avocado slices and a fat squiggle of zippy basil aioli. It’s a mouthful, but a happy one. Heat seekers need look no further than the Old Town Dog, a bacon-wrapped looker finished with caramelized onions, chipotle mayo, crumbled cotija cheese and a mess of fiery sautéed jalapeños. Additional locations in Pasadena and Alhambra, with more on the way.

Dog Haus Biergarten

More information:

Address:

93 East Green Street Pasadena, CA 91105

Phone:

00 1 (626) 683-0808

Website

http://doghaus.com/

5. Fritzi Dog

Given that the dogs at Fritzi Dog in the Original Farmer’s Market are made with humanely raised, vegetable-fed and antibiotic free meat - no nitrates either - eating here feels almost virtuous. You can build your own dog and choose an original bun (soft, thick white bread served warm) or pretzel roll. There’s even a gluten-free option. Or select one of the recommended combos. “Chef Neal’s Favorites” - named for acclaimed L.A. chef Neal Fraser - include the simple but satisfying Slaw Dog, a meaty all beef link with the most delicate of casings topped with caraway seed-flecked cole slaw and a zigzag of brown mustard. The LA Street Dog is finished with bacon and jalapeños and is a popular favorite.

Fritzi Dog

More information:

Address:

6333 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90036

Phone:

00 1 (310) 555-5500

Website

http://www.fritzidog.com/

6. Larry’s

A Burbank institution dating to 1953, Larry’s Chili Dog has a fiercely loyal and eclectic clientele and more often than not, a queue of customers waiting to order. The lure is a classic chili dog, the way it was meant to be made - a juicy beef link is nestled in a soft white bun and covered with rich, sludgy chili, the type that stains the bread orange. Add a heap of shredded cheese for a few cents more, you might as well do it right. There are old time sodas to wash it down, like Nesbitt’s Strawberry. They even carry the intriguing Mr. Q. Cumber. Shout out for the dollhouse-size picnic tables on each table that serve as condiment carriers.

Larry’s

More information:

Address:

3122 West Burbank Boulevard Burbank, CA 91505

Phone:

00 1 (818) 842-0244

7. Let’S Be Frank At Helms Bakery

It’s tempting to say it’s the luscious onions, caramelized to black, that make the dogs at the Let’s Be Frank truck so darn satisfying. But really it’s not just one element. There’s also the nicely seasoned signature grass-fed beef dog, a toasty bun, those aforementioned onions and upon request, a hit of Devil Sauce, a complex blend of jalapenos, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger and cumin that might be your hot dog’s new best friend. The guy who’s usually taking the money (and doing the cooking) suggests adding sauerkraut and Gulden’s mustard. He’s right. The seating isn’t fancy - a few concrete benches across Helms Avenue from Father’s Office. But what more do you need on a sunny So Cal day? Maybe an ice cold Boylan’s black cherry soda. Fortunately, they’ve got those too.

Let’S Be Frank At Helms Bakery

More information:

Address:

8758 Venice Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90034

Phone:

00 1 (626) 446-7668

Website

http://www.letsbefrankdogs.com/

8. MEEA’S

This easy-to-miss storefront - just look for the Taco Bell next door - might be the city’s most civilized dog spot. You order at the tidy counter and then take a seat on the expansive, prettily landscaped patio. Minutes later, your dog is delivered. The buns here deserve special mention - homemade, super soft (but sufficiently supportive), slightly sweet and topped with poppy seeds. They’re a great vehicle for the Chicago Dog, topped with electric green relish, mustard, celery salt, a fat crisp pickle wedge, sliced tomato, and sport peppers. Meea’s also makes their own veggie dogs using beans instead of the more typical tofu.

MEEA’S

More information:

Address:

1734 Colorado Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90041

Phone:

00 1 (323) 285-4850

Website

http://meeas.net/

9. Skooby’s Hot Dogs

Located across the street from Musso & Frank, Skooby’s may not be a Hollywood institution like Musso’s, but it does have a dozen years under its belt. The draw is simple - classic dogs, thick hand-cut fries and fresh lemonade. A combo, which is the way to go, will get you all three. Dogs here are the skinnier variety and have an ample casing. They’re served on a connected trio of warm, toasty Hawaiian sweet bread rolls. Should you opt for the garlic dog, that roll will be blanketed with heaps of finely chopped, sautéed garlic - it’s enough to make you wonder hours later if your pores are still giving forth the sweet, unmistakable scent.

Shooky's Hot Dogs

More information:

Address:

6654 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028

Phone:

00 1 (323) 468-3647

Website

http://www.skoobys.com/

10. Vicious Dogs

If Cheers was a hot dog spot, it might resemble this eclectic North Hollywood hole in the wall. “Welcome Home!” reads the menu. And what a menu it is - at Vicious Dogs, more is more. The Hot Chick for example, is a bacon-wrapped dog tucked into a warm bun straight out of the steamer, covered in mozzarella cheese, finished with a handful of crunchy chicken tenders, a hearty dose of ranch dressing, and finally, a hit of Frank’s Red Sauce. It sounds over the top, and it is, but in a good way. The richness of the dressing and tang of the hot sauce serve to meld everything together. You can even get a dog topped with a crab patty. For those wanting to add a notch to their adventurous eater belt, there’s the peanut butter dog - strawberry jelly optional.

Vicious Dogs

More information:

Address:

5231 Lankershim Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91601

Phone:

00 1 (818) 985-3647

Website:

https://viciousdogshotdogs.com/