Hollywood Hot Dog - Carney's

When I see a train car propped up on the side of the road, I have an overwhelming desire to eat chili there. Luckily the train in West Hollywood is home to Carney's Restaurant. Chili burgers, chili fries, and chili dogs are served by a line of speedy food artists. Often hailed as the best hot dog in Los Angeles, the Carney's Dog is the menu favorite. A necessary destination for all those who have visited Pink's.

Carney's Dog ($3.55)
With Chili, Mustard, Tomato, and Onions.

There is also a location in Studio City.

Studio City Restaurant - Hugo's Restaurant

Hugo's Restaurant was founded with the intention to serve unique and original food creations. An extensive tea selection, vegan and gluten-free options for every entree, and pasta on the breakfast menu make Hugo's a popular experience. The Pasta Mama, spaghetti fried with eggs and spices, has become an internet food phenomenon and it originated here. This dish ordered with eclectic meats forms the heartier Pasta Papa.

Pasta Papa ($12.75)
Fresh pasta scrambled with eggs, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese and Hugo's special seasoning. With bacon, turkey sausage and scallions.

Hugo's also has locations in West Hollywood and Agoura Hills.

Burbank Burger - Tommy's

Original Tommy's Hamburgers are everywhere in Los Angeles and are major local favorites for a few reasons. People love hamburgers made with quality ingredients. Tommy's Famous Chili is added to everything on the menu. You will get your food within seconds of ordering. And with prices as low as they have, you won't feel guilty ordering the double.

Double Cheeseburger ($3.40)
100% Beef Patty, Double Thick Slice of Real Cheese, Tommy's Famous Chili, Hand-Sliced Beef Steak Tomato, Fresh Chopped Onions, Pickles, Mustard on a Fresh Bun

Hollywood Burger - The Oaks Gourmet

The Oaks Gourmet Fine Foods & Spirits looks like just a wine market, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming a famous burger spot of Los Angeles. They take prime cuts of chuck, shortrib, and brisket, grind them together, and dry-age the resulting patty for 30 to 40 days. This makes a hamburger with a different flavor than the usual ground chuck. While you are there, you can browse the interesting sodas, alcohol beverages, candy, and cheeses from their market or look for celebrities since you'll be in the Hollywood Hills.

The Dry Aged Burger ($11.95)
A Half Pound of Dry Aged Blend w/ Taleggio Cheese, Black Forest Bacon, Red Onion, Tomato, Baby Arugula & Smoked Jalapeno-Pineapple Compote on Toasted Brioche.

Hollywood Sandwich - Canter's Deli

Canter's Deli is a 24-hour Jewish-style New Jersey deli that has made its home in Los Angeles since 1931. This Fairfax Avenue restaurant has been frequented by dozens of celebrity visitors who come for both the food and the live music and night life of their attached bar, The Kibitz Room. They also have a popular food truck that roams the area. Their pastrami is extremely well-known, and the fanciest way to eat Canter's pastrami is on a Reuben sandwich.

Pastrami Reuben ($14.50)
Grilled Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut, and Russian Dressing on Grilled Rye.

Hollywood Burger - Umami Burger

It has become apparent to me that any fancy burger must be served on a square plate and made with some kind of infused ingredient. Umami Burger is an embellished burger restaurant that has been rapidly spreading to locations throughout California and fulfills both requirements. Named for the fifth taste in Japanese, Umami Burger specializes in savory flavors. Their Umami Master Sauce is cooked into every hand-formed patty. Truffles are one unique inclusion on Umami Burger's menu, so experiencing that flavor is a popular choice.

Truffle Burger ($12.00)
House-made truffle cheese, truffle glaze

Hollywood Burger - Rounds Burgers

Rounds Premium Burgers is a successful restaurant in West Hollywood and Claremont and will open locations in several other LA cities in the near future. Their success also led to one of the most famous food trucks rolling through Los Angeles. The full menu boasts all-natural meat free of preservatives, fresh ingredients, and a long list of sauces. Fluffy challah buns give the burgers their signature round shape. You have many options if you choose to order a custom hamburger, but most people opt for their Specialty Burger menu, which has interesting names with interesting toppings.

The Executive ($9.00)
Caramelized onions, bacon, bleu cheese, garlic aioli

Hollywood Hamburger - Hamburger Mary's

Hamburger Mary's is a lively restaurant in West Hollywood that features sexy menu items and after-hours drag show entertainment. Fancy cocktails and burgers ranging from simple to extravagant are their specialties, unless you are counting Burlesque Bingo! The Mac Daddy Burger may not be the craziest burger on the menu, but it is definitely a crowd pleaser. The post-burger check arrives inside a high-heel shoe to complete the experience.

Mac Daddy Burger ($12.99)
Your meat topped with creamy homemade Mac-n-Cheese

Hollywood Hot Dog - Pink's Hot Dogs

Pink's Hot Dogs is one of the original fast food locations in Hollywood starting as a hot dog cart in 1939. Still located on the same corner of Melrose and La Brea, Pink's continues to sell cheap chili dogs to Hollywood movie stars and tourists alike. The Super Specials menu is full of unique topping combinations with names like the Martha Stewart Dog and The TODAY Show Dog. All of your friends have tried one, so you probably should check it out too.

Chili Dog ($3.45)
With mustard, chili, & onions

Hollywood Taco - Pinches Tacos

Pinches Tacos is a family-owned Los Angeles taco shop. Their Hollywood location has outdoor seating and a view of the Sunset Strip. Cheap and authentic Mexican food isn't common in the middle of Hollywood but it works well for all the locals who are fans of the secret family recipes that fill the menu. Their marinated meat attracts a range of locals, but Pinches also has a different kind of taco that you probably won't find anywhere else.

Nopal Taco ($2.00)
Sliced cactus with onion, tomato, and cheese

Pinches Tacos also has a location in Culver City.

San Diego Burger - Burger Lounge

With locations spreading throughout both San Diego and Los Angeles, I had to get to Burger Lounge. The establishment boasts all organic ingredients and grass-fed single-source beef. Fortunately, the upscale ingredients don't elevate the prices. The Burger Lounge has only been around for a couple of years, so you might get to try this place before your friends do.

The Lounge Burger ($7.95)
Lounge bun, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, house-made 1000 Island,organic cheese - white cheddar or American, and fresh or grilled onion

Hollywood Taco - Pink Taco

Pink Taco came from Las Vegas but has become established as a necessary stop on Sunset Boulevard. The themes inside the restaurant make use of the name with various innuendos, in a similar fashion to the Hooters chain. You will also find pink tacos on the menu. This signature dish is made with pickled onions to give it the unique color.

Pink Tacos ($14.00)
Traditional tacos from the state of Yucatan, corn tortillas stuffed with black beans and topped with arbol salsa, grilled chicken, pickled pink onions and avocado. Served with rice and beans.

Hollywood Sandwich - Greenblatt's

Greenblatt's Deli-Restaurant & Fine Wine Shop is a Jewish deli that has been a fixture of Sunset Boulevard since 1926, before the famous road was even paved. Their fine wine bar attracts all the local rich and famous, but that doesn't stop them from making a variety of afordable groumet sandwiches and sides. It is visited by tourists so often that their menu contains a bucket list of all the food that one needs to try there. Needless to say, this blog is going to direct you to order from that part of the menu because you know your friends already have.

#5 Combo ($14.95)
Hot & juicy corned beef and pastrami on double baked rye with fresh homemade cole slaw, Swiss cheese, & Russian dressing

Burbank Taco - Poquito Mas

Poquito Mas is a very popular spot in Burbank and its surrounding locations of Los Angeles. It started as a taco stand serving Baja style Mexican food in 1984 and has expanded to 10 restaurants that also deliver. If you order here, you'll want to go with their classic that started it all, The World's First Market-Price Taco.

Fresh Ahi Tuna Tacos (Market Price Range $6.25 - $7.95)
Two Petito tacos filled with fresh Ahi, served on handmade flour tortillas with cabbage, onion, cilantro and roasted red pepper sauce. Served with rice and black beans.