Summer Dogs
We tracked down our favorite Orange County hot dogs in time for baseball season.
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| DEVOUR IT Portillo's 8390 La Palma Ave., Buena Park 714.220.6400 :: portillos.com Pink's Hot Dogs at Knott’s Berry Farm 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park 714.220.5200 :: pinkshollywood.com Jerry's Wood-Fired Dogs Locations throughout Orange County :: jerrysdogs.com |
The baseball season is in full swing and barbecue season is officially underway. What better way to welcome summer’s long-awaited arrival than a hot dog piled high with all your favorite toppings? Whether it’s a Chicago-style frankfurter with celery salt on a poppy seed bun or an extra-long Nathan’s on a steamed bun, many of the hot dog’s most famous incarnations have found their way to OC. Coast hunted down the oc’s finest dogs.
Portillo’s
What it’s About King of the Chicago-style dog, Portillo’s began in 1963 in a small trailer that ran a garden hose for water. The original hot dog stand has now expanded to 45 locations in Illinois, Indiana and – lucky for us – Buena Park, California. Famous mainly for its perfectly executed Chicago-style hot dogs, which have earned the company many prestigious Silver Plate Awards, Portillo’s is a must-try for dog lovers.
What’s Hot We recommend sticking to what Portillo’s does best – its traditional Chicago-style hot dog with everything – mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomatoes, kosher pickle, and sport peppers on a steamed poppy seed bun. Got a big appetite? Go with the Jumbo version.
What’s Not Buena Park is a bit of a trek from coastal OC, but the drive is well worth the delicious reward.
8390 La Palma Ave., Buena Park
714.220.6400 :: portillos.com
Pink’s Hot Dogs
What it’s About What began as a cost-efficient way to fill your stomach during the Depression has become a must-stop for everyone from movie stars to average Joes. Pink’s opened as a family-owned hot dog stand in 1939 on the corner of Melrose and La Brea in L.A. and hasn’t moved since, except to expand their operations to a few select locations – one of which is OC’s very own Knott’s Berry Farm.
What’s Hot Pink’s chili dogs have taken on legend status. Housed inside a soft bun, the all-beef dog comes in a regular size as well as a 10-inch “stretch” and is topped with mustard, onions and Pink’s famous fresh and meaty chili. Like all great dogs, a characteristic “snap” when bitten into is pronounced.
What’s Not The menu is much smaller than the original Pink’s, but all the highlights are there. It’s a trade-off for the long lines in L.A.
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
714.220.5200 :: pinkshollywood.com
Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs
What it’s About An affinity for tailgating and backyard barbecues led to a four-restaurant tribute to the hot dog for the real-life Jerry behind Jerry’s Dogs. With influences from all the great hot dog cities – Chicago, New York and Boston – Jerry’s adds his signature wood grill to all specially-formulated dogs and sausages and allows guests to add all the toppings they want from a separate “fixings” menu.
What’s Hot Jerry’s Signature Dog – the one with the “snap” – is made with all beef in natural casing and seasoned to perfection. Go with a topping combo like Cleveland Stadium mustard, white onions, sauerkraut, and celery salt for classic hot dog bliss, or try something different like a Signature Dog with chipotle mayo, jalapeños and sport peppers. Don’t miss the freshly made potato chips.
What’s Not While the staff could have been a bit friendlier, we went for the dogs, not five-star service.
Locations throughout Orange County
:: jerrysdogs.com
