Art's Famous Chili Dogs was 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 was 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.
History
Art Elkind, a chemical engineer, turned to selling hot dogs when unable to find work during the Great Depression. Art's Famous Chili Dogs opened in 1939, about two miles west of its last location.[1] In 1944, it moved to its last location at Florence Avenue and Normandie Avenue. The first place at this intersection where Art had a stand was about 20 feet north of Florence, and on the east side of Normandie, in the 1950s he moved to the other location. 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 used a hot dog which was only part pork and had no natural casing, which contributed to his chili dogs' unique flavor.[2]
This stand quickly became well known for its chili dogs and also for the personality of its owner.