'Ono Kine Grindz

Hank's Haute Dogs

...and a Top Chef Season 3 contestant sighting.

Dale Levitski (left) and the "Dale" dog (right)

Kobe beef dog topped with hoisin-ginger mustard, furikake cabbage, shredded daikon and carrots and a few sprigs of cilantro piled high atop a poppy seed bun.

Hank's Haute Dogs
324 Coral Street
Telephone: 808.532.4265

Pink's

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I LOVE Pink's!  Nuff said.

Chicago Polish dog (US$3.55).

Bacon chili cheese dog (US$3.95).

French fries (US$1.95).

Onion rings (US$2.25).

Pink's
709 North La Brea Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
Telephone: 323.931.4223
website

Carney's - Los Angeles, California

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I've been coming here for a while now and while Carney's doesn't serve my favorite burgers, or my favorite hot dogs, a visit here is a trip down memory lane.

Chili fries (small, US$2.55; large, US$3.40).

Cheeseburger (US$3.55)

Carney's
8351 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
Telephone:  323.654.8300
website

Great Hawaiian Hotdog Co.

This post is for Noodlepie, all the way over there in Vietnam.  He asked me to blog up some hot dogs a while ago, and I agreed, but haven't pulled through until just now.  It's been a long time coming, so Graham, I apologize for the delay.

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It's not everyday that you see a hotdog stand in Hawaii.  There used to be a Windy City Dogs located near the office, but that place closed down more than 2 years ago.  On my frequent shopping trips to both Borders Books and Music, and CompUSA, I've noticed these Great Hawaiian Hotdog Co. stands, but I've never eaten the hotdogs here.  Until now.

This stand is located outside CompUSA on Ala Moana Boulevard.

Photo of the one located outside of Borders Books and Music at Ward Centre is forthcoming.  That's where I picked up my hot dog from.  Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera.

Today, I had the sirloin steak hot dog with the spicy secret garlic sauce (US$3.50). 

According to the woman behind the counter.  The secret garlic sauce is like a garlic mayonaisse.  The spicy garlic sauce adds chipotle chilies to give it heat.

I didn't get a shot of the condiment counter, but located right next to the window, is a bin filled with pickled japapeno peppers, sauerkraut, pickle relish and raw onions.  I topped this hot dog with pickled jalapeno peppers and sauerkraut.  Behind the bin, was a row of squeeze bottles filled with mustard, tomato ketchup and cheese.  There was one other squeeze bottle, but I can't remember what was in it.  I get it the next time, and update this post accordingly.

The sirloin steak dog was nice and juicy.  According to the sign at the stand, this is an all beef hot dog, unlike other hot dogs which are made up of pork (and assorted pig parts).  The seeded bun was soft and fluffy.  And the spicy garlic sauce, was not spicy enough, though the pickled jalapenos did the trick and fired it up a bit.  The sauerkraut gave this a slightly sour tanginess.

Do I think this hot dog was worth US$3.50?  Probably not.  While it was nice and tasty and since you could add condiments of your choosing at no extra charge, it was still quite expensive, especially since the ones at Costco at only US$1.50 including a refillable soft drink.  However, since this sirloin steak dog contained no nitrates, it's probably a much healthier hot dog.

Great Hawaiian Hotdog Co.
CompUSA Location
604 Ala Moana Boulevard

Ward Centre Location
1200 Ala Moana Boulevard