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Any guesses as to what I’m holding here?

When fellow reporter Jackie Rae strolled past my desk on Tuesday, she asked me if it was avocado toast. A few others simply asked “what is that?”

Aside from delicious? “It’s a hot dog,” I replied.

Jackie’s next question was “where’s the meat?” Technically, there was none. It’s the “Sooo Veggie” from Dog Haus, made with Beyond Sausage. (I no longer eat meat, but that doesn’t mean my love for this cuisine has waned).

Today, we’re going to talk all manner of franks—Polish, plant-based, Korean, Chicago, chili, chicken, etc.— and where you can get them in Long Beach.

But before I drop the hot links, I have the wurst news, Dirt Dog, the maximalist L.A.-based street food chain, just closed its Traffic Circle joint. Grab a tissue, hot doggers, and read more about that here.

What truly pushed me to write this sausage-centered edition of Off the Clock was this Reddit thread: Best Hot Dog in Long Beach? in which the author opened with “There isn’t much going on and I want a dog.” (Some days, that really couldn’t be more true).

In that thread, Redditors mourned the closure of Dirt Dog, and a handful more offered their personal hot dog recs. Given that there weren’t a ton of suggestions, I felt that as a ~ journalist ~ it was my duty to fill in this informational gap as best I could. Onto the hot dog roll call.

• Tugboat Pete’s – 421 Shoreline Village Drive

This tugboat-shaped boardwalk gem is not long for this world amid an impending plan to revamp (and demolish) a large chunk of Shoreline Village—so you should definitely grab a dog for a seaside stroll here ASAP. Pete’s is a no-thrills stand and its a great place to grab a classic dog.

Their most popular order is the Polish dog (made with beef). It comes with relish, onions, ketchup and mustard. The Hot Link (spicy sausage) is also on the menu, for those who want a little kick.

• Tracy’s Bar & Grill – 5511 E. Spring St.

This menu holds historical significance. Tracy’s honors the old Long Beach location of The Hot Dog Show, which once served their gimmicky “doggies” in the 1950s and 60s on Broadway in Long Beach. When Tracy’s opened up shop, they decided to adopt that menu and to preserve it as best they could.

The Mutt is described as a “plain lonely dog,” The Spike has dijon, tomato, onion and jalapeño. Personally, I’m intrigued by The Chow, served on a hamburger bun with cheddar, bacon and Thousand Island dressing. See the menu here.

• One Zo / Myungrang Hotdog – 4501 E. Carson St.

Every dog has her day. And today, we’re blessed to live in a world where you can order a Monster Double Potato Hot Dog in North Long Beach.

Myungrang Hotdog serves a variety of Korean-style franks like the Squid Ink Corn Dog and the Sweet Potato Hot Dog. Besides, how many hot dog joints do you know of that also serve boba?

• Dog Haus Biergarten – 210 E. Third St.

Plant people, I haven’t forgotton about you. Dog Haus Biergarten does a lot of things right and having options is one of them.

They’ve got a full bar, a huge selection of hot dogs, sausages, burgers, sliders and breakfast burritos. Plus, my two favorite things, happy hour and veggie options. On Tuesday, I endulged in the Sooo Veggie with a hot Italian Beyond Sausage, wild arugula, avocado, tomato, crispy onions and spicy basil aioli. They also offer meatless sliders. But there’s plenty of actual meat all over their menu—check it out here.

• Joe Jost’s – 2803 E. Anaheim St.

Joe Jost’s is one of the oldest bars in the city and it has to be known for selling an obscene amount of t-shirts with that schooner of bear/pickled egg insignia of theirs (seriously, I’ve seen these shirts worn all over the state).

Among other things, they are also known for their Joe’s Special, a Polish sausage made from the Jost family’s own blend of spices, with a slice of Swiss cheese, a pickle and mustard on rye bread. 

• Dave’s Burgers – 3396 Atlantic Ave.

This iconic LB fast food stand has been standing since the 60s. Beneath its red and white striped awning, you can still nab the Jumbo Chubby, one of the most absurd ventures in cuisine that you will ever see. But is it a burger or a hot dog? I’ll leave that up to you. I’m not certain that this is their actual Instagram account, but you can see it for yourself here.

• MVP’s Grill & Patio – 2742 E. Fourth St.

Do you love sports? And do you also love hot dogs? Ok, great because MVP’s has six different doggos that I think you’ll dig. The Mark Sanchez offers bacon, mayo, jalapeños, onions and tomato. The quarter pound Comiski has mustard and relish on a poppy seed bun. More intriguing is the Joe Montana, which is pastrami, mayo, mustard, onions and Swiss cheese. Find more franks here.

• Mustard’s – 3630 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos

Ok, so this one is in Los Alamitos, but it’s occasionally a good idea to visit your neighbor. And this place, I hear, has a “solid” Chicago dog. They’ve even got one called the Wrigley Field Fire Dog, which is an extra spicy charrged dog with special hot house mustrand and “the works,” according to their menu.

• Costco – 2200 E. Willow St., Signal Hill

Do I really need to say anything here? They’re $1.50 and absolutely worth the wait.

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OK, I know there are a lot more Long Beach places to relish when it comes to weenies, but we both have places to be. Email me your favorite local hot dog joint.

Editor’s note: This newsletter has been updated with more information about Tracy’s Bar & Grill’s adoption of The Hot Dog Show’s menu. Long Beach’s original Hot Dog Show location was at 735 E. Broadway, not where Tracy’s currently operates.