UPDATED 11/30/09 Tripping through the San Fernando Valley

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Tue, 17 May 2011 13:27:21 GMT

Of course!

Update on Home Plate's Coney Dogs. As good as it was, when I went back (a few months ago) to enjoy another, it was a total disaster.

I really don't know how it tasted because as I tried to eat it the bun disintegrated in my hand. I had a handful of chili, a hot dog and bun crumbs between my fingers. Greasy, yucky and all over me! Not a good thing at all.

I had purchased two of them. One to eat in the parking lot and one for when I returned to my then place of employment.

The second one was bagged and handed to the homeless person asking for money at the freeway exit. (405) Hopefully he had better luck than I had.

And... the ice cream machine was still non-operational so I still couldn't get my chocolate malted.

I won't try again.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (Michael Hoffman)

Tue, 17 May 2011 12:52:35 GMT

mar52

What? Hot dogs aren't a West coast invention?

Sure they are. The West Coast of the Thames River. Connecticut's Thames River.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Tue, 17 May 2011 12:39:55 GMT

What? Hot dogs aren't a West coast invention?

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (Michael Hoffman)

Tue, 17 May 2011 10:46:20 GMT

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (pnwchef)

Tue, 17 May 2011 09:27:06 GMT

Michael Hoffman

Oh, God! Now you'll draw Voss back out of his cave to bitch about people over 30 from the East being permitted to exist.

Michael, we have the right to defend the great quality of Cuisine we both had the pleasure to enjoy. It is up to people to jump on this band wagon, or be left behind.............pnwc "defender of all that's good" .........

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (Michael Hoffman)

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:58:51 GMT

Oh, God! Now you'll draw Voss back out of his cave to bitch about people over 30 from the East being permitted to exist.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (pnwchef)

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:44:54 GMT

I think Mar proved with this post that you can find a good dog in California. Great pictures and report, these dogs look like they have some East coast influence...................pnwc

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (Michael Hoffman)

Tue, 17 May 2011 05:51:34 GMT

How did I miss this? Fantastic!

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (enginecapt)

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:01:59 GMT

Chris, don't forget Oki Dog, if you haven't tried them. No eating trip to L.A. is complete without an Oki gut bomb.

Let the turistas have their Pink's. Bleah... Pink's.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (ayersian)

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:43:28 GMT

mar52

Skooby's is definitely on my list of must tries.

Ours, too, but we didn't have enough time to check it out over the holidays. Maybe this summer, then? Chris

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:24:28 GMT

Ha! I live on the wrong side of the hill.

I just don't get to Hollywood much.

Skooby's is definitely on my list of must tries.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (enginecapt)

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:15:22 GMT

Marlene, although it's on the wrong side of the hill from the SFV, one of these days I'd like your take on Skooby's on H'wood Blvd.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:09:03 GMT

I'm not a fan of Tommy's. Too greasy for my taste.

I went to CSUN and survived on Cupid's. Try them some time as they're still quite good. I thought they were closed until someone here on Roadfood said that they're still open.

That's when I began my quest for the perfect chili dog.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (poker)

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:33:55 GMT

Thanks for this great report! I've been to some of these places and have passed by all the rest. I've always wanted to stop by the the one near CSUN. I'm also a fan of Fab and Home Plate. I use to go to Wiener Factory for lunch and was very disappointed to see them go.

What do you think of the Original Tommy's Chili dogs?

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:04:17 GMT

Went back to Carney's yesterday and ordered my usual... the Carney Dog without the tomato.

As always it was terrific. I asked what kind of dog they used and the only answer I got was "all beef." I'm not pushy enough.

It's my second favorite as I like the taste of the Thumann's all beef better.

This dog is a little thinner. It has a real good snap, a good, dense consistancy and it's not overly spiced. It's also a little darker red than most.

I was there at 3:30 and they had a crowd. Sell a good product and you'll do a good business. I'm not sure the train has anything to do with it.... anymore.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:53:26 GMT

Chris, you were right when you said there was something spicy in that relish....Hatch chili powder!

I was there the day that was filmed. Problem was that I was on the outside and on the door it said, Closed for filming.

I'm going to try the L A Street Dog next time. Amy was smiling when she ate hers.

Message to Joe.... Use less cumin in the chili and I'd eat more!

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (ayersian)

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:40:54 GMT

Hey Mar, I'm just about done with a new review of Fab's and saw this video from DD&D that I thought you'd like. Man, we've got to go back for the Texas Burrito Dog -- that sounds unbelievable! Chris

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:22:18 GMT

Sepulveda Bl south of Roscoe Bl would be Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas Barbecue.

http://hoglywogly.com/

I've never been a real fan but I'd be delighted to meet you there if the timing is right. I just won't order the beans!

Ha! I was going to meet you anyway.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mayor al)

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:46:03 GMT

My 50th Reunion will be held next June somewhere in the Reseda area of the Valley. While we will probably stay out in the Inland Empire during the week we are in SOCal, I am sure we will get to some of the SF Valley BBQ places I recall being "pretty good" sometime over that visit. I am not much of a 'weinie-guy', but I recall that Sepulveda Blvd. was home to some good Texas and Missouri style Que!

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (enginecapt)

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:02:09 GMT

After every Oki Dog I eat, I need a sodium flush afterward. But I LOVES me some Oki Dog.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:30:08 GMT

I eat at Carney's at least 2 to 3 times a week. I always get their Carney Dog sans the tomato which is the dog I reviewed. I've given up on cheese at Carney's.

I don't know the brand, but I'll ask next week. It's a dog with great taste and texture.

When I was describing it to Amy and Chris I told them that I eat it with a knife and fork. It's the only one that I eat that way. Way too messy to pick up!

Skooby's is supposed to be the best but I've never been there. I don't know if it's because of the variety of toppings available or because of the dog itself.

If Hollywood wasn't so weird I'd make my way over there to give it a try.

As for the Oki Dog.... YUM! I just get mine without the pastrami. They're killer. (Probably literally)

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (enginecapt)

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:33:50 GMT

Well, if you ever make the trip, pass up Pink's and give Skooby's a try instead. As well as Oki Dog.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (John Fox)

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:30:52 GMT

No. I've never been to California.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (enginecapt)

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:34:32 GMT

Have you tried Skooby's on Hollywood Blvd, John Fox?

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (John Fox)

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:14:10 GMT

Great job, Mar52! I enjoyed your report. Just sorry that I'm coming across it for the first time today. Glad that it was mentioned on the home page otherwise I would not have found it. I have to check out the trip reports more often.

I haven't been to any of these places, but I have had the dogs served at Fab's here in N.J.

People have told me that Carney's is the best dog in California. Did you happen to ask the brand? I'm curious.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (Nancypalooza)

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:08:18 GMT

Marlene I should warn you that Chris is very sneaky with the treating. :) I'm really sorry your lunch turned out to be a half-bust, and very expensive to boot.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (EatingTheRoad)

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:42:35 GMT

mar52 wow...sorry to hear about your experience. I was waiting to hear since the foreshadowing in the Pet Peeves thread. Guess you won't be going back there any time soon. I hate when a single employee can ruin a restaurants reputation. Had she made the correct drink and presented the gumbo better and quickly I'd bet you'd have had a different opinion.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (mar52)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:13:20 GMT

Sounds great! If you can arrange for a Thursday I can spend more than 30 minutes with you.

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (ayersian)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:50:22 GMT

mar52

It's baloney sandwiches for the entire month of December!

Yay, that means we're treating you next month -- nice! We're working up a list of places right now... Chris

RE: Tripping through the San Fernando Valley (ellen4641)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:34:23 GMT

enginecapt

Dayum! Those are Westside prices, not Valley prices. You're rich, Marlene.

Or you could be like ME, who likes spending a good "hunk" of my disposable income on dining out/taking out !
Nice update, Marlene!