Sausage mixed grill: A prelude to Berlin!

Belgian Frit 'N Toast

Tommy and I did our second to last go around in Brussels today and after finding some new duds we stopped for a cone of fries near the Grand Plaice at a little “fast food” stand and we were not disappointed. What we actually ordered was a mixed grill of sausages, fries, and a salad.

The platter consisted of three meat items. One kabob, one deep fried sausage, and one sautéed sausage. The kabob was the stand out here. Whatever the marinade, it was amazing. We both agreed we could have eaten three of those and they could have kept the rest. The deep fried sausage came in a close second. It was mild and creamy in texture, but the crispy fried outer casing was provided balance. Last was the sautéed sausage. This was a little deceptive because it looked the best but packed the least amount of flavor. It was certainly not bad but it was a little too mild for me, it was similar to an English banger. The fries, as everywhere, in Belgium were stellar and the salad also a nice addition to the meal and helped to cleanse the palate after all the rich meat and fried potatoes.

Pink’s Hot Dogs, Hollywood, California

http://www.pinkshollywood.com/
Some people remember where they were the first time they saw their spouse or where they were when Kennedy was assassinated. For me I will always remember the day I ate at Pink’s Hot Dogs in Hollywood. I have to say that this is a true Mecca for the art of encased meats. I felt inadequate to the task, the meal was so built up in my head that I felt I might order incorrectly or not get the full wiener experience. I was wrong; this was without a doubt one of the greatest meals I have ever eaten in my life. I have dined at some really high-class places like Charlie Trotter’s and Spago but this was an experience I will not soon forget. For me Pink's is on par with all the fancy restaurants and celebrity chef nonsense that I buy into. When you’ve been serving hot dogs since 1939 you pick up a few tricks! The line down the street is a testament to the greatness of the food.

Upon arrival at Pink’s one is struck by the line, it is literally down the street, probably seventy-five people deep. The food was worth every minute of waiting! Although cranky, Ian could not squelch my enthusiasm. For a half an hour we stood in line and mauled over the sizable menu. Hot dogs in three different lengths, six, ten, and twelve, inches topped with a myriad of different toppings that included: pastrami, sauerkraut, mustard, jalapenos, cheese, chili, onions, peppers, and coleslaw. I felt as though I could really botch my order and ruin my Pink’s experience. After much indecision I settled on the following order:

One Pastrami Rueben Dog
One Chili/Cheese/Bacon Burrito Dog
One basket of Onion Rings
One Stretched Chili Dog with Onion (for Ian)
One Basket of Onion Rings (for Ian)
One Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda (for Ian)
One Orange Crush
Total Price-$23.28

When we sat down I was overcome with joy looking at the delights I was soon to ingest. I could barely contain myself while photographing the meal. I felt it necessary to call my brother Ben several times and let him know about the progress we were making in regards to the hot dogs, he was appreciative of course. I started with the more traditional Rueben dog. The pastrami was hot off the grill and a perfect match to the tartness of the kraut. The dogs at Pink’s are all beef kosher dogs so that have that characteristic snap and deep beef flavor of a great wiener. As you can see from the pictures I was very happy.

Then came a hot dog that I can only describe as life changing. Two all beef kosher dogs smothered in chili, wrapped in bacon, topped with cheese and onion and stuffed into twelve-inch flour tortilla and grilled. This my friends is the burrito dog. A behemoth by anyone’s standards and a belly buster after you’ve already devoured half a basket of onion rings and an entire Rueben dog. But I am a man of conviction and I went to work. I came to Hollywood for a reason and I intended to take this monster down. I had to formulate a game plan, this thing is huge, I mapped my course and I began. I dove in with a twinge of fear I don’t often encounter when dealing with sausages of any kind. As I ate I was more pleased with every bite. As the sense of fullness hit my brain I soldiered on. I fought the good fight; I beat Pink’s hot dogs! I ate the burrito dog and it was everything I could ever imagine. Fatty, rich, spicy, greasy, cheesy, and huge!
Today I went to Pink’s Hot Dogs in Hollywood California; I will never again be the same person! Eleven out of ten! As I reread this I tear up a little bit...