Originally started as a hot dog stand in 1965, Flooky’s offers nine different hot dogs, including a Chicago dog with mustard, relish, onions, tomato wedge, pepperoncini, and pickle spear; a California dog with mustard, pico de gallo, avocado, and cheese; and a Texas dog with mustard, grilled onions, pastrami, and swiss cheese. With locations in Chatsworth and Woodland Hills, Flooky’s is the place to go when hot dog cravings hit while in the Valley.

Originally established in 1946 as Walsh’s Hot Dogs by Richard and Bernice Walsh, the current operations are overseen by third-generation sisters Kelly and Morgan Walsh. Diners still flock here for a dose of nostalgia and the beloved chili dogs whether Chicago-style, Reuben, or plant-based dogs.

Fab Hot Dogs takes East Coast-style hot dogs seriously. It specializes in Rippers, natural casing beef and pork dogs from New Jersey that are deep-fried and customized with ample toppings. If feeling a bit extra, most dogs can be upgraded to foot-longs.

Santa Monica’s iconic, 75-year-old Hot Dog on a Stick stand reopened after being demolished in 2022. Though the building was completely rebuilt, the quality and recipes remain the same with the puckery neon limeade to the fluffy cornbread exterior surrounding its original turkey dog. Other options, like vegetarian hot dogs, beef hot dogs, and melty pepper jack cheese sticks, are available. Still, the OG turkey stick is the one to get for a taste of classic Californi-cana with an ocean and pier view.

Consider Coucou’s L’haute Dog the fanciest frank in LA. Made with Peads and Barnetts pork sausage, the suped-up hot dog comes topped with French onion marmalade, cheese fondue, spicy mustard, and pickled peppers—all on a toasted split-top bun. The menu recommends using a knife and fork, but no one’s here to judge anyone who wants to go in head first.

After closing nearly a decade ago, the legendary Tail o’ the Pup was restored in a prime West Hollywood location, complete with a hot dog-shaped stand, red and white streamers, and mustard yellow accents. The dogs range from the split and grilled 1946 (topped with grilled onions and house mustard) to chili-slathered to the footlong Baseball dog adorned with house mustard and sweet relish.

Sure, it’s right in the midst of a busy touristy stretch of West Hollywood. But there’s something about enjoying an old-fashioned chili dog on a Pacific Railroad passenger train right on Sunset Boulevard. Carney’s offers guests just that, slinging hot dogs out of a bright-yellow rail car since 1975.

This stand made a name for itself with punk rockers in the ’70s. Okidog is inspired by a snack from Okinawa, Japan, and makes its cross-cultural hot dog hybrid by stuffing two franks, chili, pastrami, mustard, and American cheese into a burrito-style tortilla, creating a bite that’s sure to challenge anyone’s metabolism.

A family-owned business for more than 30 years, Earle’s is usually filled with loyal locals who love its famous dogs. There is the usual all-beef version with an accompanying all-beef chili, of course, but don’t overlook the vegan dogs, links, and chili. Both omnivores and herbivores leave full and happy.

Guatemalan hot dogs, also called pan shucos, are popular street food items everywhere from the Sixth and Bonnie Brae night market to neighborhoods across LA. El Churrasco Chapin, a homestyle destination from Monica Ramos, offers a loaded pan shuco with griddled sliced wieners, guacamol (avocado spread), pickled cabbage, onions, and a mesmerizing striping of mustard, mayo, and ketchup.

Bacon-wrapped hotdogs are an LA staple, but Dirt Dog’s are done up with style. A wide variety of toppings make each one uniquely delicious, as just about anyone within a two-mile radius of the restaurant’s address near USC can attest with locations six LA locations and one in Las Vegas.

This nearly 100-year-old Long Beach legend is known for its quirky menu, especially the Joe’s special, a split Polish dog wrapped in rye bread with Swiss cheese, mustard, and a pickle.

Craft hot dog restaurant Dog Haus offers creative spins on the classic dogs including the Sooo Cali featuring an all-beef skinless dog with wild arugula, spicy basil aioli, crispy onions, avocado, and tomato. The chain recently introduced a Korean barbecue sausage. All of its inventive hot dogs are served on buttery King’s Hawaiian rolls; beer, mixed drinks, and milkshakes are available on-site.

Some of the best things about Chinese bakeries are the savory gifts, often filled with sausage. At Oh My Pan, a soft and fluffy bun is shaped like a flower, and each petal is stuffed with a hot dog slice. This tear-apart bread is showered with corn, herbs, and a creamy sauce, or a version with green onions and cheese.

For a taste of Korean-style hotdogs, look no further than Myungrang. The chewy exterior can skew sweet, with a deep-fried dog coated with sugar. Those craving savory can opt for cheese, sausages, or traditional franks rolled in panko breadcrumbs before being thrown in the fryer.