Cupid’s is an LA classic, the kind of longstanding staple restaurant the San Fernando Valley so frequently gets right. Step up to the Winnetka location off Vanowen Street for classic LA dogs done up with a soupy, thin chili that’s perfect for getting just a little bit messy on a summer afternoon.

Fab Hot Dogs specializes in chili rippers, a New Jersey style that favors heavily-cased meats that can be fried up to perfection for lots of snap. Add in chili and plenty of orange cheese for maximum effect.

Chili is, quite literally, the name of the game at Larry’s Chili Dog in Burbank. Don’t expect fanciness or frills here, just chili served a hundred ways, including over classic dogs with lots of finely shredded cheese.

Five-year-old Meea’s has found its groove in Eagle Rock, landing squarely between all those incoming upscale restaurants and the local family-friendly classics. The unassuming Colorado Boulevard option does a variety of dogs, but the star among them may well be the classic chili dog.

The Hat is a San Gabriel Valley staple, born from the booming post-war generation when drive-thrus and inexpensive pastrami reigned supreme. Today the company has multiple locations up and down the 210 freeway, including the Glendora outpost turning out classic chili dogs for all.

Real ones know Oki’s Dog, the legendary Mid-City shop on Pico known not just for its chili dogs in a bun, but for a particular concoction with two dogs, chili, cheese, and bacon wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Marty’s Hamburger Stand is rightfully known for its old school burgers, but real fans can spy the Vienna Beef hot dog sign from a mile away. Add in lots of thin, well-reduced chili and plenty of cheese to make it the real chili dog deal.

Chroni’s Sandwich Shop is a Whittier Boulevard staple, having existed on the same site since 1945. Their chili dogs are rightfully legendary, and come laced with plenty of just-melted-enough American cheese.

Dirt Dog has become the next great (and growing) hot dog empire in Los Angeles. Originally founded with a promise to bring the bacon-wrapped street dog into a restaurant setting, the company has grown to include a variety of dogs and locations, including the dirty chili dog with bacon, chorizo, and lots of cheese.

The South Bay loves Tomboy’s, the throwback chili dog and hamburger stand that’s open breakfast through dinner. Chili is available everywhere on the menu, but hone in on the 1⁄4 pound all-beef dogs for maximum success.

Pit Burger is a Gardena classic, the kind of fast food diner that every neighborhood in LA loves. The chili dog here competes with burgers and teriyaki plates, but locals still fine room for it in their diet.