Hot spots for hot dogs in Los Angeles

The Stand

First things first. Do you want your all-beef dog steamed or grilled? Or would you prefer a turkey dog? Next, which of the couple of dozen toppings to add? Choice is the name of the game at this high-style stand with a new little sib in Century City. On Thursday and Sunday evenings, have your dog with a side of live jazz on the expansive patio.

Basic Stand dog, $2.95. 17000 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 788-2700.



Skooby's

Local aficionados have pronounced these dogs some of the best in town. We're suckers for the garlic lover's dog served on a toasty bun painted with fresh garlic and olive oil. Even if you're not a hot dog person, the seasoned fries are worth a detour. Hand-cut potatoes — a mix of strips and chips for textural interest — are double-fried and served with a side aioli.

Garlic lover's dog, $3. 6654 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 468-3647.



Café Surfas

The "haute dog" title is apropos for the wiener served at this smart cafe annexed to the cooking supply store Surfas. It starts with a Kobe dog that is split and cooked on a flat grill. This gets slipped into a warm La Brea Bakery baguette, with Dijon mustard and house-made blue cheese cream. Last come chopped cipollini onions in balsamic vinegar.

Haute dog, $7.95. 8777 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, (310) 558-1458.



Orean's Health Express

Before there were all those fancy Westside vegetarian spots, there was Orean's, where you can get a tasty chili cheese dog that is 100% vegan. Say what? Well, the dog is a steamed veggie dog, the cheese soy and the chili made with soy protein, black, red and pinto beans and chili sauce.

Chili dog, $3.39. 817 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 794-0861.



Weeneez

Proprietor Julie Rico spent a year perfecting the beef chili served at this sleek 6-month-old dog specialist and art gallery. So it's no wonder the chili dog hits the spot. A nitrate-free, all-beef, chubby Thumann's dog with that prized snap is topped with Gulden's brown mustard, a generous ladle of that aforementioned chili and finely chopped white onion.

Chili dog, $3.31. 500 S. Spring St., downtown L.A., (213) 817-6002.