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Business & Tech

Hot Dog Wars on Ventura Boulevard

Two restaurants in a dog fight over franks. How do you like to dress your hot dog?

On a one-mile stretch of Ventura Boulevard between Greenbush Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard, two popular hot dog spots are engaged in a food fight: The Infield off Beverly Glen and Brats Brothers at Sunnyslope. With summer in full swing and July 4th just a few days away, it’s a great time to grab a dog. But which place should you choose? Here’s how they stack up.

Brats Brothers: 13456½ Ventura Blvd. (moving to 13355 Ventura Blvd. in mid-August)

The small restaurant offers a friendly staff, knowledgeable about the impressive selection of sausages. The different brats aren’t just the same meat dressed up in different packages; they’re completely different products. Want something simple? Order a grilled Hebrew National. Willing to take a risk? Sink your teeth into some ostrich.

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Sample dog: The Rancher

Since Brats Brothers offers everything from a traditional frankfurter to exotic meats such as kangaroo and elk, I chose something in between. The Rancher ($5.50) is a smoked all-beef brat with a hint of garlic. It’s juicy and large enough to satisfy most appetites. The French roll that the brat is served on is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.

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The Infield: 14333 Ventura Blvd.

At what amounts to a glorified hot dog stand, The Infield takes ballpark favorites one step further. Although there are other varieties on the menu, the big draw is the Farmer John Dodger Dog. Get it plain or topped with everything from baked beans to pesto to chocolate syrup. Fries come in a variety of styles and fried Twinkies are available for $2.

This place became world famous for two days when it was reported that Charlie Sheen comes here and orders

Sample dog: The Brooklyn Dodger

This $4 gem is a Dodger Dog topped with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. The dog was a little undercooked and the kraut masked the flavor of the cheese, but it was pretty much what I expected. Perfect for a summer day.

The Showdown:

Best Meat and Bread: Brats Brothers

Butcher-cut sausages and authentic German sides make this category a no-brainer.

Best Variety: Brats Brothers

Meats from around the world trump creative toppings. The once-trendy Charlie Dog with Tiger Blood at The Infield now feels stale.

Best Atmosphere: The Infield

Chow down while sitting in actual seats from Angel Stadium or old Busch Stadium while sports talk radio hums through small speakers. For an old school (but annoying) touch, they only accept cash.

Most Affordable: The Infield

Nothing on the menu is more than $6, and they offer specials like $1 Dodger Dogs on Mondays. Special combos go for around $5.

Who's the winner?

Well, it’s really not fair to compare the two eateries. Brats Brothers is all about brats, not dogs. The Infield is clearly aiming for the busy Angeleno who’s looking for a quick bite and a bit of nostalgia. It comes down to mood and preference. Either way, you’ll walk away with a full stomach and a bunch of calories to work off. But who cares about calories?

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