West Hollywood cracks down on rogue hot dog vendors
Beware if you like to grab a hot dog along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. The city has announced a crackdown on unlicensed hot dog vendors who work the streets, often late at night. According to WeHo News (which has photos), officials see it as a "quality of life" issue:
Owners of rogue, unlicensed hot dog carts that enter WeHo will soon be cited, in a beefed up enforcement move aimed at cleaning up West Hollywood’s streets.
At first the item was scheduled for a public hearing as part of the legislative agenda, but moved to the consent calendar at the last minute because of general agreement on the terms set forth by staff.
In explaining that move from legislative to consent calendars, Mayor Jeffrey Prang said, “ ... it’s been one of those quality of life issues that has been nagging at the city for a number of years and deals with those grimy little hot dog carts you see late at night out on Santa Monica Boulevard.”
-- Shelby Grad
Photo: The city is cracking down on delicious, yet illegal, sales of sidewalk hot dogs. Credit: Mel Melcon Los Angeles Times
Man, I love a "Danger Dog" after a night of clubbing. I don't really have a problem with them other than the fact that they cost $5. I think I saw a video on youtube of a hot dog vendor getting their cart confiscated on Hollywood Blvd. The cop called in a dump truck and they trashed it on the spot in front of the owner. I wonder if that's what they plan to do in Weho?
Posted by: R. Lee | January 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Thank Goodness - Los Angeles should do the same. Restaurants have county health standards to follow for the protection of the public, so should these carts. Not to mention the tax revenue they are cheating the government out of.
Posted by: Mathew | January 30, 2009 at 10:51 AM
theres nothing like having a street god after a night of clubbing....those things are soooo good...they're expensive tho!
Posted by: diana | January 30, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I love the dogs, but I can understand why they don't these guys on the streets. Hopefully LA will get the same idea and get rid of the hotdog vendors and the fruit guys as well.
Posted by: matthew | January 30, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Leave the street meat vendors alone!!!! Us intoxicated and inebriated folks need something to sober up quick and this is the best way to do it. With this deficit shouldn't these guys be figuring out how to increase revenue and lower costs. Another waste of time project to insure someone keeps their job.
Posted by: Robert Paulson | January 30, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Personally I like the dogs! I do agree though that there needs to be some regulation. What regulations do the NY hot dog vendors follow? LA should be in line with those regulations at a minimum.
Posted by: paul | January 30, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I don't get why people are always trying to go after these hot dog vendors? Matthew above states that they are a health threat and they don't pay taxes. True, but...I don't think anybody out there that eats those bacon-wrapped pieces of goodness really believe they are saniatry. Everboy jokes at the potential health hazards...its like smoking...people know its harmful, but they do it. As for your tax evasion standpoint...sure everybody has to contribute their part; however, what do you think is more effective, going after some lady that sells hot dogs from a shopping cart that only grosses about $100-200 3 nights a week or focusing our efforts on wealthy individuals and corporations who intentionally skirt the tax laws to save tons of money? In a time where we have a state budget crisis, I think our public officials should focus their efforts on bigger issuess than a person selling a hot dog on the corner. By the way, I also don't understand why people consider it such an eyesore since they are only out Thurs-Sat during the late night hours. Go figure.
Posted by: Chris | January 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Leave the hot dogs alone!
Posted by: Shawn | January 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Really West Hollywood? I guess since the city of Los Angeles is free of crime, let's crack down on these poor folks trying to make an honest living. Let's use up resources [police officers] that can be fighting real crime to stop poor people from making a buck. As far as this being a health issue, it's not like the person selling it is shoving it down your throat. If you feel it's unsanitary, DON'T EAT IT!
Posted by: Cristian | January 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Hey Los Angeles Times, how about uncovering some stories about the corupt government we have in Sacramento instead?
Posted by: Cristian | January 30, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Best late-night snack I ever had was souvlaki from a push-cart in Athens, Greece many years ago. It resembles shish kebab, meat and veggies grilled on a stick. I agree with Chris, why not go to Sacto and force those jerks to pass a real California budget.
Posted by: Bill | January 31, 2009 at 01:24 AM
Government has a responsibility to regulate business in order to protect public health and safety. These hot dog carts have no means of refrigeration to ensure the safety of meat and condiments, like mayo. They have no means of sanitation of the utensils they use, or even their hands. The public expects high standards of food preparation in restauarants, we even post grades, and street vendors should not get a free pass when it comes to food safety. Members of the public will certainly not be so forgiving of this unregulated business should someone get seriously ill, or if these unlicensed gas carts has an accident by catching fire or exploding.
Posted by: Mayor Jeffrey Prang | January 31, 2009 at 09:15 AM
About time we need the same type of enforcement in Los Angeles It's ok till someone dies Where do these people wash their hands after they go to the restroom?????? JUST NASTY WE HAVE HEALTH CODES
Posted by: PLEASE COME TO L.A. | January 31, 2009 at 09:27 PM