Pink's LA Hot Dog Chili Sauce

I spoke with a manager at a hot dog joint here about the products they use at the restaurant. He said that the "chili" for the chili dog "is the same as at Pink's in LA". I also read a review in a local newspaper web site that stated that the chili sauce "is shipped in from LA".

I have learned from RF that "chili", "hot dog chili" and "chili sauce" mean different things to different folks around the country. I didn't care for it much, but maybe the fault is with me, in that I was expecting something more like the pot of chili I would cook.

If you have been to the LA Pink's, and have had the chili dog, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take the time to write whether you liked the chili, and also to describe the consistency and flavors.

Please, please, not just "Yuck", or "Wonderful"!

Thanks for helping me out here.

If you are not inclined to enjoy a chili dog, Pink's sauce is sure to disappoint. IMO.

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Originally posted by wheregreggeats.com

If you are not inclined to enjoy a chili dog, Pink's sauce is sure to disappoint. IMO.

Pink's is like ZaZa Gabor or Paris Hilton...no talent, just famous for being famous!

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Pink's is like ZaZa Gabor or Paris Hilton...no talent, just famous for being famous!

Typical comment from someone who has never been out of the Eastern Time Zone. The east really doesn't have a monopoly on good food.

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Originally posted by BBq King

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Pink's is like ZaZa Gabor or Paris Hilton...no talent, just famous for being famous!

Typical comment from someone who has never been out of the Eastern Time Zone. The east really doesn't have a monopoly on good food.

BK, very funny. I too, do not understand the prevailing anti-Pinks sentiment found here. Not referencing any particular posters, but I think some must jump on the bandwagon because it seems like the thing to do on the board.

In reference to the original post, I don't have strong enough memories of the chili sauce to comment, but I know I've never had a dog there I didn't like.

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Originally posted by douginvirginia

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Originally posted by BBq King

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Pink's is like ZaZa Gabor or Paris Hilton...no talent, just famous for being famous!

Typical comment from someone who has never been out of the Eastern Time Zone. The east really doesn't have a monopoly on good food.

BK, very funny. I too, do not understand the prevailing anti-Pinks sentiment found here. Not referencing any particular posters, but I think some must jump on the bandwagon because it seems like the thing to do on the board.

In reference to the original post, I don't have strong enough memories of the chili sauce to comment, but I know I've never had a dog there I didn't like.

Same for me--the food is not something you'd eat everyday, but I am always happy to go there when I am in LA. The dogs there are great. But not everyone is going to like an icon.

The chili on its own can hardly be called chili (in that you probably would not eat a bowl of it with saltines, for example), but as a condiment it works--it is actually a bit overpowered by the yellow mustard that they put on the standard chili dog as a rule there (if you don't mention it, it is palced on the chili dog as a default--it works for me).

So, I think it is a little tangy but not too spicy or otherwise controversial in taste to me. I think people may dislike the consistency--when it cools, it can become a little like spackle (some good food does--like the whiz on a good cheesesteak).

Slim Strummer... I've never been to Pinks, so really have no room to comment here. But in some past discussions I've read over the years, there's been several people that say Pinks uses crushed saltines in their chili. Thus could be the reason it turns to spackle.

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Originally posted by UncleVic

Slim Strummer... I've never been to Pinks, so really have no room to comment here. But in some past discussions I've read over the years, there's been several people that say Pinks uses crushed saltines in their chili. Thus could be the reason it turns to spackle.

Uncle Vic: Interesting...saltines, huh? You wouldn't know that from eating it. What I have noted about the chili when it is not on the dog is the sort of day-glo color (nearly orange) and the pools of grease perched on top of the brew. All of which adds to its demonic charm...

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Originally posted by BBq King

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Pink's is like ZaZa Gabor or Paris Hilton...no talent, just famous for being famous!

Typical comment from someone who has never been out of the Eastern Time Zone. The east really doesn't have a monopoly on good food.

I lived in LA for many years, I travel there at least twice a year, have owned a Condominium on Wilshire just east of Veteran ave. for over 25 years...Tell me about it.

I haven't been to Pink's in years. I do remember once having a "chili dog" there and was not crazy about it. However, that said, let it be known that I am not a "chili dog" fan. As I am originally from the NYC area, I always preferred my dogs with mustard and kraut or, mustard and stewed onions.

I wish I could tell you what the chili that Pink's put on my two Huell Howser dogs tasted like. I can't cross reference it to anything else I've ever tasted. It was the second worst non-chili tasting chili I've eaten in my life. (The first prize goes to the vegan chili a hippy neighbor of mine in Laurel Canyon made me once.... it was redolent of dill... my fat dog wouldn't even eat it)

The consistency and eye appeal was fine.... the mouth feel was as well... the smell was a bit funky and the taste was.... a combination of brassy, bready and being a bit off. That's as close as I can come, and I'm probably not doing it justice.

Pink's chili is something I never want to experience again.

I was at Pink's a month ago for the first time in about 17 years. Surprisingly, the line was only about a 10 minute wait, which was nice, as it was extremely cold out that night. Of course, I went for a chili dog and some fries. The taste was the same as I remembered it years ago, but to be honest, I can't say it's the best chili dog that I've ever had...but it is decent, and I will certainly return for another.

For those that like their chili dog sauce to be like regular chili, you will not like it. It is a little spicier and thicker. And, as the earlier poster had mentioned, when it starts to cool, it is like spackle. And being that it was a cold night, with no seating inside, it turned to paste very quickly, outside...but don't think for a second that I didn't finish.

In my opinion, chili dogs, like all food, is nothing but a personal preference of the eater. As for me, my favorite chili dog is at Portillo's in Chicago.

I think Pink's chili overwhelms the flavor of the hot dog, so I order mine without it. The chili is okay with the fries or corn chips.

I was at Pinks a few years back and could NOT be paid to return. If you want a real chili dog come to Chicago and go to Polk and Western Ave.s I think it is called Ralphs , but they are the best!

There is absolutely no good food West of the Hudson river, there that should solve everything.

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Originally posted by exsquidao

There is absolutely no good food West of the Hudson river, there that should solve everything.

Or east of the Connecticut River?

PINKS.....yuck!!!!!!someone tell them hotdog chile DOES'NT have beans, visited pinks on a trip worst dog i ever had

Vic, crushed saltines are good on top of a bowl of chili. You just can't let them soak tooo long.
Joe

I went there just this Friday , I stood in line for over 1 1/2 hour to get a chill cheese dog that was just so so, It was my 1st time at pinks and the last time I need to go there, I don't know what the big deal is about pinks. The chill so not that good and the hot dog was ok but not worth the time to get it, We also had the onion rings they were good.

I don't remember beans being in Pink's chili.

This is coming from a Chicago guy . . . Pink's makes the grade. Not as good as SKOOBY'S. Still able to find some artery clogging eats in Hollyweird. Nice

Speaking of LA, has "Tail O' the Pup" relocated/reopened yet?

BTW: Some of the crappiest hot dogs I've ever had were in NYC

Great observations, Lance. Pretty much anywhere you have a dense population there is going to be hearty "Street" type food. Kudos for not being geographically snobby.

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Originally posted by uncledaveyo

I don't remember beans being in Pink's chili.

They wern't beans, they were flies!