Santee Claus

Both New York and Chicago have their pizzas and their dogs --

In Chicago, you make a bet against the devil when you put ketchup on your hot dogs and the deeper your knife swims into a pizza slice, the better the you're left with that distinct Chicago taste.

There's nothing more all-American than a grilled hot dog off of a New York street vendor - variations include everything from our staple mustard and mayo to your off-centered mango and chili.

But what is Los Angeles' contribution to the ever-growing, ever-changing debate, between what is characteristically THE L.A. flavor? 

Dodger Dog vs. Alley Dog - two seemingly similar types of dogs, two very different takes on L.A.

Your Dodger Dog (often times pronounced: Doyer Dog) is longer, skinnier, sweeter than its rival Alley Dog which is fatter and juicier. But here's the kicker: the Alley Dog comes perfectly wrapped in a body-suit of bacon. Who doesn't love bacon?! More importantly, who doesn't love a bacon-wrapped hot dog? Nowadays, the Alley Dog is given the nickname "ghetto dog" more specifically because more likely than not, you will be able to find them in more ghetto neighborhoods or the darker alley streets in Los Angeles.

Which one plumps out on top? It depends on your taste really. For me, I follow the more-makes-me-merrier approach - if you can pile food onto a paper-plate, why not pile it onto a hot dog? And forget about skinny hot dogs. Who do you think you're foolin'?! Do you really think there are less calories in a skinny hot dog than a big ol' fatty? I think not.

The Alley Dog gets my vote - hands down! Now go get yourself one and wash it down with a diet Coke because you've got to leave room for your dignity don't you?