LA Dawg: Vicious Dogs

I love that my hot dog outings always revolve around much needed girls nights. 

We can chat and laugh and bond over some good hot dogs. 

This past week we hit up Vicious Dogs.

Located in North Hollywood by the metro station and conveniently across the street from Lillie's office. 

My date night was with my favorite gals Lillie and Christina. 

We were a little overwhelmed with all of the options. 

These places continue to amaze me, how do you come up with that many hot dog ideas!?

I cant really remember the name of what I got, but it was good! 

And there were so many good choices.

Pastrami! Dogitos! Mardi Gras! Mediterranean! 

The best part of it all was the must needed catch up. 

Sadly I missed a photo opp of the three of us. I think we were way too enthralled in our conversation to stop for a photo. 

I dont know what I would do without these girls. 

Its crazy that my best girlfriends and I all have such parallel lives! 

Vicious Dogs definitely gets the stamp of approval! 

LA Dawg: The Slaw Dogs.

Lillie and I were in desperate need for a night out together.

With her landing an awesome new job. And me being ever so busy and out of town. 

It had been weeks since we have had any hang out time. 

and so with that. we did what we do best. 

hot dog date nights. 

Recently the LA Times wrote an article about the boom in gourmet hot dog places. 

please. Lillie and I were on to that a long time ago. We are ahead of the times. Literally. 

However, thanks to their article it gave us a list of new places to check out. 

 per recommendation and convenience we chose to hit

The Slaw Dogs. 

This place did not disappoint. 

It had it all. Starting with an eager beaver {and attractive} of an employee giving us all the great recommendations. 

an amazing and huge menu of fancy and delicious hot dogs

and yummy choice of french fries 

Lillie chose the Mac N' Cheese Dog

you got that right. 

{btw. check out those hoops! so proud of my girl}

mac n cheese. on a hot dog. and it was good. 

I was torn between the pastrami dog {i love pastrami} and the picnic dog. 

I chose the latter. 

potato salad. a pickle. bbq sauce. onion rings.

wait what!? on a dog? yet it was sooo good. 

but beware. sooo messy. 

of course I have no shame and will always refuse utensils for food meant to eat with your hands. 

So far this has been our favorite hot dog place. 

Totally beats out the others in taste and yummy menu options. 

And of course like all of our hot dog dates, Lillie and I successfully sat there for hours. Catching up and chatting and of course constant laughter at how our lives are always so similar. 

so glad i have this girl in my life. 

Valley Ventures: Santee Alley

Last Saturday I ventured to Santee Alley with Rudy and Tom.

I have heard of this place before from Tom but didnt exactly know much about it.

We took the metro into Downtown

(which has become one of my favorite activities. love public transit into the big city)

and walked to the semi fashion district of LA. 

The streets were jammed packed with shoppers with tons of stores to go into.

But the real place to go is the actual Alley which definitely reminds me of NYC shopping for all things knock-off.

However, Santee Alley is A LOT more ghetto. I mean, this is LA...

aka I was like the only white person 

A highlight of the day was my continuation of being a hot dog connoisseur. And although I have only been to two LA hot dog places, I think I already found the best in town. Anyone that has been in downtown before can always smell the bacon wrapped hot dogs that are literally sold on every corner. 

wrapped in bacon, smothered in grilled onions and peppers and topped with ketchup and mustard.

the best are sold out of ghetto shopping carts with the grills placed on top from little ladies that dont speak any english. 

they are so legit. 

the are a must have with a stop in Downtown.

After hot dogs and Santee Alley, the three of us hopped back on the metro and headed to Union Station and Olvera Street. 

Other Downtown faves.

with a must have filled churro. sooooo gooood. 

i love lazy Saturdays wandering the streets of LA with two of my favorite people. 

LA Dawg: Carney's.

Remember my pursuit to find the best hot dogs in town? 

Well...still on it. 

Which lead me and my fellow hot dog loving friend to experiencing Carney's.

The biggest thing that has caught my eye with this place is the transformation from a legit railroad train to a restaurant. I think that is so awesome! I seriously loved going into the train to order our food. 

The restaurant even displayed pictures of the train when it was in working condition and then being brought to the Valley in the 70s. 

Lillie and I both went with the signature Chili Dogs. 

the chili did not disappoint. 

Although I am on my way to a hot dog connoisseur, I will fully admit to being a french fry addict. And these french fries tasted just like McDo's. Such a disappointment. I need me so good fries all the time. 

And with that, I will have to admit that I like the local better than the hot dogs themselves. 

Still a good place to go in my hot dog pursuit. And I would not mind trying their hamburgers. 

And of course, always good to have some Leigh and Lillie time. 

LA Dawgs: The Stand.

 Some time in my life between eating Downtown LA hot dogs after every Laker game I attended,

and the week where I ate FOUR Dodger games in the span of five days,

I realized I love hot dogs.

And proclaimed them my #1 favorite food. 

you can keep calling me the all american tween. 

I love me some..

Dodger Dogs

Downtown LA Dogs

Costco Dogs

NY Central Park Dogs

J-Dawgs

And because of this love I have decided to become a hot dog connoisseur. And plan on trying all of the best hot dogs that LA has to offer. 

My first stop on this journey was The Stand. 

I ventured there last week with my dear friend Lillie. 

Let me just take a sec and share how much i love this girl. 

Lillie and I became closer friends when we shared a bunk in our London flat!

She recently came home from her mission and I could not have been more excited to see her. 

She has the hottest dance moves I have ever seen. 

I love how she says "suuure"

We match constantly!
(hopefully this doesnt jinx us)
We will show up to church, dances, activities, parties or just us hanging out in either the same outfit, or matching colors and styles. 

And we love matching!

I think my favorite thing about Lillie is that we are constantly experiencing the same life situations at the same time. The transition of being an adult, the struggles through finding a job and working full time, and our biggest similarity--boy problems. 

Because of this, we are able to talk about everything and anything and I am so appreciative of our chats. 

And so...we went and got hot dogs for some much needed Leigh and Lillie time. 

We were there for THREE hours. 

I think they got a little sick of us. 

But our verdict on The Stand...

we loved it!!

I loved the layout, design and especially the classic and vintage NY feel of the restaurant.

BBQ dog.
corn salsa and grilled onions dog.

and sweet potato fries. 

to.die.for.

We were also a huge fans of this outdoor seating with the trees and lights.
Ill enjoy some summer time hot dogs here.

and i loved these dogs. 

And they have $1 monday hot dog nights. yes please. 

I will be going back there often.