Cuisine Scene: Hot Dogs
In Long Beach, hot dogs transcend the ordinary with a creative flair that varies, and sometimes marries, sweet to spicy to squid ink. These culinary innovations blend both traditional and innovative methods to offer a unique and tantalizing experience that defines so much of the Long Beach food scene. Here’s a look at some of the ways local chefs are putting the haute in hot dogs.
THE SHIPYARD, VICKY’S DOGHOUSE CAFE
Given that Vicky’s Doghouse Cafe (named for the ship’s famous dog mascot, Vicky–short for Victory) is located on the fantail of the battleship USS Iowa (250 Harbor Blvd), its kitchen serves up several naval themed offerings. “The Shipyard” goes the extra step by piling tangy Bourbon barbecue pulled pork along with sweet creamy coleslaw. You could also go with The Destroyer, combining chili, onions and gourmet cheddar cheese sauce.
HOT LINK, TUGBOAT PETE’S HOT DOG STAND
At Tugboat Pete’s Hot Dog Stand (421 Shoreline Village Dr), they believe in letting the meat take a starring role. Not surprisingly, this Shoreline Village landmark’s most popular selections include Polish sausage and the spicy snap of their hot link hot dog. One of the most popular things on the menu, the hot link is often dressed simply with some mustard and onion and the hot link does the rest.
CHICAGO DOG, DOGZ BAR AND GRILL
Dogz Bar and Grill (5300 E. Second St.) has a laid back, beachy atmosphere that makes it a destination for families during the day and fun-loving adults in the evening. Their hot dog menu slides toward the classics with their Chicago dog featuring mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, celery salt and sport peppers on a poppy seed bun. They also have a New York dog with sauerkraut, red onions and mustard and a Buffalo dog with requisite buffalo sauce and a choice of ranch or blue cheese.
HOT CHEETOS CORNDOG, ONE ZO/MYUNGRANG
Serving Korean hot dogs, One Zo/Myungrang Hot Dogs (4501 E. Carson St) became an immediate sensation for their stunning looking and tasting potato hot dogs featuring diced spuds on the exterior. But equally adventurous is their Hot Cheetos, a delicious stunner as it comes slathered in bright yellow mustard topped by bright red crushed Cheetos, creating a hot and spicy delight.
THE LONG BEACH, BIXBY CLASSIC BURGER
Like their burgers, which have drawn favorable comparisons to (take a deep breath) In-N-Out, Bixby Classic Burger (4001 Orange Ave) serves hot dogs that are relatively simple, somewhat straightforward arrangements that pack a considerable flavor profile. Named after several local neighborhoods and locations–i.e. the “Bixby Classic,” the “Wrigley,” the “Virginia Club”–their most straightforward is their chili dog–chili, mustard and onion–that goes by the all-encompassing moniker, “The Long Beach.”
SOOO CALI, DOG HAUS BIERGARTEN
“Sooo Cali” is one of the most popular things on the Dog Haus Biergarten’s (210 E Third St) menu, and one of the most striking. Start with an all-beef, skinless, hormone- and antibiotic-free sausage, put it in a grilled King’s Hawaiian Roll, top it with wild arugula, avocado, tomato, crispy onions and spicy basil aioli and you have a sight for the eyes and an adventure for the tastebuds. The creativity doesn’t end there: Dog Haus serves dogs featuring more than 30 toppings including fried eggs, pastrami and miso bleu cheese.
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