Hop Woo Pork Skewer

Hop Woo Pork Skewer, originally uploaded by ~db~.

Arriving in Chinatown for the New Year's celebrations, I was hungry after a long subway ride. Walking by Hop Woo on Broadway, I was considering getting one of the pot stickers on display, when out come a batch of pork skewers fresh from the kitchen. I couldn't pass it up. The pork itself was a bit dry, but full of flavor. The onion, carrot, and broccoli were perfect. It was an excellent way to begin the afternoon. Pork skewer, $1.50.

The Fab Dog

The Fab Dog, originally uploaded by ~db~.

For some unknown reason, it has been years since I last visited Fab Dogs in Reseda. It's been so long in fact that's they've now moved to a new place in the corner of a shopping center not too far from the old place. It's my loss since they have a lot of different dogs I've never tried. This time I went to the top of the list.

Here is their signature offering. The Fab Dog is a charred beef dog topped with their Fab tomato relish, mustard, bacon, and onions, served in a standard bun. It's a good dog. The thinner frank is something I prefer and, while it was charred, it wasn't overcooked.

The garlic fries were also quite good, with enough garlic, but not too much. And somehow they were able to properly cook these thin fries so they had a bite yet remained pillowy soft on the inside. My only quibble overall was that the bread was a bit stale, and I couldn't help but wonder how long those big stacks of plastic-wrapped buns I saw had been sitting there. Still, a lot of flavor and certainly good enough to get me back a lot quicker than last time. Dog and garlic fries, about $8.

Vicious Dogs Good Saint

Vicious Dogs Good Saint, originally uploaded by ~db~.

One of my favorites from Vicious Dogs. The Good Saint is a three pepper andouille sausage, grilled onions, tomatoes, and peppers in a poppy seed bun, topped with two cheeses. Then baked. Very very nice. Dog and garlic fries, about $9.

The Slaw Dogs' Street Dog

The Slaw Dogs' Street Dog, originally uploaded by ~db~.

It's The Slaw Dogs version of the classic L.A. Street Dog. This one is a 1/4 lb Vienna bacon wrapped beef dog, grilled bell peppers and onions, garlic mayo, and pico de gallo, all in their big, soft bun. A lot of flavor, the bacon is cooked crisp while not completely overcooking the dog itself. Of course it's so overstuffed I ended eating most of the toppings with a fork out of the bottom of the basket, but that's not such a bad thing. The fries were well cooked, as usual. It's all good. Dog and small fries, about $8.