I've arrived!

I always thought of myself as a schlub who eats a lot of hot dogs and spends way too much time talking about them. I started my hot dog website because all my friends were tired of hearing my theories about all my local favorites. No big deal...

Well, a week or so ago, I got a call from a local TV program. They asked me if I would meet them at The Wiener Factory so they could interview me for a story they were doing on hot dogs. I chatted with the reporter for about a half hour, and they taped it.

Tuesday night they aired the story, and there's my big yap is with the caption "Stephen Worth, Hot Dog Expert"! They sprinkled me in throughout the program, commenting on several local doggeries. I got calls from people I haven't heard from in years saying they saw me on TV and they were planning to try out some of the dog stands I talked about.

What the heck is a Hot Dog Expert? I guess it's that schlub on TV who eats a lot of hot dogs and spends a lot of time talking about them!

See ya
Steve
Hot Dog Spot

Congratulations Steve! I do hereby crown you the official "Weenie King." Keep up the good work.

CSD

Congratulations being TOP DOG!!


TOP 9 HOT DOGS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Jul 12, 2005 12:34 pm US/Pacific
L.A. is America's hot dog capital, surpassing even New York.
Here are the best in the Southland.

#9 COSTCO
2207 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 289-1401
www.costco.com

I'm kind of curious about your thoughts on #9 - The Costco Dog.
I find it hard to believe that this place would even be in the running. With a city that boasts it eats more hot dogs than any other, I wouldn't even expect it to be in the top 20!

I was once on Chronicle (local TV newsmagazine) with the descriptor "doughnut aficionado" under my name. It wasn't one of my proudest moments.

I didn't know you were a cop Lucky Bishop!

Steve Doggie Dog: I have enjoyed your web site ever since you first posted it. When I get back to Pomona for the NHRA races, I will try your LA choices.

Do you have any favorites around Pomona and Ontario? That would be much closer for us. Do you have any favorites in Las Vegas. I will be there in October for the races also.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Steve- Congratulations on your Media Debut'

Spinal- I must admit I like the Polish-dogs we get at Costco. We used to frequent several of the SoCal stores, and only recently have renewed our link to the Cincinnati outlet. The Polish dog, with mustard, onions and 'kraut and a refillable drink for $1.50 is a bargain that tastes pretty good. Remember this evaluation is from someone who doesn't care much for Hot Dogs in most styles and servings.

Hey Steve!

Sorry I missed your TV spot. My shop is a couple blocks east of the Weiner Factory and I would have loved to see you being filmed or at least watched it on TV.

Nothing wrong with a Costco dog except for the crowds.

Well they could offer more toppings, but you really can't beat it.

I love your website and I'm thinking of bringing in the Sport Peppers into my shop so I can have an endless supply of them.

Steve,
Congrats on the show! Next time please tell us in advance-----I'd really enjoy seeing it. Will they be rebroadcasting and on what channel? Can't wait for you to do part 2-----on The Stand maybe?
Ed

Steve Doggie Dogg ......."your the man" Congratulations
In your interview Steve did you have to comment on "Pink's" ? I know how you dislike that place but KCAL. 9 has got it picked #2 ............. Next time in LA I promise I'll go to your all-time favorite #3 SKOOBY'S and the
#1 THE STAND
Your lucky Steve you guys down south have all the good dog joints.
I'm Frank in the doldrums of the hot-dog world San Jose, People around here would rather eat tofu.........yuck!

Congrats! We almost have full coverage celebrities here! Mr Steve Dogg on the West coast and Mr Fox on the East Coast! And an honorable mention to Mr ChicagoStyleDog in the Midwest!

Costco is ok for the price. It's a buck and a half for a dog and a bottomless soda. It's not exactly my cup of tea, but it's better than a 7-11 dog I guess. They had an executive from Costco who quoted some astronomical figures about the number of dogs they sell every year. That alone qualifies them. I think Target is trying to compete with Costco with their new Vienna Beef dog deal.

In the show, they used my comments on the textbook perfect polish sausage at the Wiener Factory. I talked about the importance of snap and squirt and demonstrated by chomping into one. They also got a good clip of me ranting on ketchup... how you get arrested and run out of town if you put it on a hot dog. The last bit with me was the one I was happiest to get in... I said that the most important thing with a good hot dog is getting it from the steamer to your mouth as quickly as possible. If a dog is allowed to sit, it goes limp. (I can't believe I got a dirty joke like that by!) I finished up by talking about how Skoobys, The Stand and the Wiener Factory are all set up to get the dog to you as fast as possible.

They told me a different list of 9 when I was interviewed. They wanted to include Oki Dog. I told them Oki was a great choice, but I warned them that it would be next to impossible to get in contact with the owner. He's a real character... he was famous back in the day for screaming obscenities at the punk rockers who frequented his stand. (They loved the abuse, and kept coming back for more...) I guess he didn't exactly turn out to be TV friendly! They substituted Taste Chicago instead, a stand that I'm really underwhelmed about.

I would have made up a different list, but at least they hit all the ones that I consider the absolute best (Carneys, The Stand, Skoobys & the Wiener Factory). I'm particularly glad that The Stand is number one. That's a huge achievement, because TV programs and guidebooks always give Pinks (which sucks royally) the number one spot. I would have included Papoo's Hot Dog Show as an example of an old time joint instead of Pinks and Larry's Dogs in Burbank as a good place to get Vienna Beef instead of Taste Chicago. I would have remained politely quiet about the Dodger Dog. But overall, they did a good job.

I'll try to get a downloadable movie file up on my website.

I'm afraid I haven't tried any places in Pomona or Ontario, but you might want to try Mr Dog's Hot Dogs and Deli in Ontario or Pulido's Hot Dog in Chino Hills.

See ya
Steve

Congrats Steve! I just wish I was hearing this on the 13th!!!!

The fact that Pinks is even on their list shoots it for me.

I've never been to Pinks, but I've heard from people in New Jersey who have gone there that the Hoffy dog is nothing special. Many places in the country are hot dog deprived, so anything that's better than a 7-11 dog sometimes gets rave reviews. I wish that I could travel more in order to sample all of these dogs. I may be biased in that I think the highest quality hot dogs are from the New Jersey, New York, Connecticut area. Since I haven't tried dogs out west, I go by the opinions of people who are familiar with the dogs I eat here.

It seems that people who are from my area who have gone to California like Top Dog in Berkely best. I've also heard good things about Ralph's private label dogs from a number of people.

Steve, I think it was a great idea that you proposed some months back about having us trade hot dogs. This way, we can sample the dogs that we otherwise don't have access to. Let's follow up on this. Congratulations on your tv interview. It's nice that you were interviewed and the piece ran within a week. A tv station here took me around to a bunch of hot dog restaurants last July and the piece still hasn't run yet! I spoke with someone from the station and was told it will air later in the month. Finally.

I think the dogs at Costco are pretty good. Hands down better than 7-11. Near me you get a quarter pound Hebrew National with a soda. But it depends on where you live. Other Costco's serve different brands.

quote:

Originally posted by John Fox
I may be biased in that I think the highest quality hot dogs are from the New Jersey, New York, Connecticut area.

I'm the same way about Mexican food John, i.e. Nobody serves it like the Southwest. I believe we're provincial about the things we're used to.

Congratulations Steve,
It’s a kick having conversed with a celebrity! To say the least, I enjoyed and will enjoy your site.

Now a serious question:
Are there any outstanding hot dog stands at LAX?

Best wishes,
Bill

Hoffy dogs are outright foul. Pinks used to be great, but it's gone down since Mr Pink died and his children took over.

I might head up to Target this week to try their VB and see if they have ice bags to ship dogs. Then, I'll make the rounds to Wiener Factory and Carneys and get raw dogs to send to you along with a chub pack of Ralphs dogs. I'll see if I can't get the logistics worked out this week.

The nearest dog place to LAX that I have heard is good is Surf Liquors in Santa Monica. Supposedly, they are the only place in LA that does rippers.

See ya
Steve

A little southern style dog recs.

Greene's in Charlotte and Skin Thrasher's in Anderson,SC (got to win some points for the name)

Thanks for all of the LA recommendations---I've long been disappointed with Pink's!!!

Dude, your website ROX!