Slogan Since 1939 Food type Chili Dogs, Hot Dogs Street address 1410 W Florence Ave City Los Angeles | Established 1939 Dress code Casual State California Motto Since 1939 | |
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Art's Famous Chili Dogs is a hot dog stand located in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1939 by Art Elkind a frankfurter entrepreneur, who was its owner until 1990. It is well known for its chili dogs, which have been praised by a variety of Los Angeleno media outlets, and proclaimed by aficionados as the finest in the city.
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History
Art Elkind, originally worked as a chemical engineer, but turned to selling hot dogs after he was unable to find work as a chemical engineer during the Great Depression. Art's Famous Chili Dogs originally opened in 1939, about two miles west of its current location. In 1944, it moved to its current location at the intersection of Florence and Normandie. Art Elkind claims to have invented the chili dog when he was selling hot dogs and chili from a pushcart when someone suggested that he combine the two (other hot dog vendors have disputed this legend). Art Elkind invented his own hot dog steamer, which kept all of hot dog's ingredients at the same temperature and for using a hot dog which was only part pig and had no natural casing, which contributed to his chili dogs' unique flavor.
This stand quickly became well-known not only for its chili dogs but also for the personality of its owner. He was described as a classic New Yorker, who was tough on the outside but kind on the inside. On October 3, 1990 Art Elkind died of a heart attack. It was purchased and remodeled in 1994, by its current owners.
Rodney King Riots
The intersection at Florence and Normandie, where Art's Famous Chili Dogs is located, is known for being the area which saw the beginning of the Rodney King Riots. Long before the intersection of Florence and Normandie avenues became notorious as the flash point of the 1992 riots, the corner was already renowned for something else--Art's Chili Dogs. For any haute dog aficionado, the mere mention of the now-infamous cross streets conjures images not of violence but of the countless chili cheese dogs that have been sold here in the last half-century.
Popular Reception
This restaurant has been well-reviewed by several media outlets in the Los Angeles area. LA Weekly has praised its classical design and it is the only currently operating hot dog stand which has received a five star rating in Shaw's 1972 ratings.