The Best Onion Rings in Pasadena Are at the Slaw Dogs Restaurant

If you love bustling restaurants, filled with the sounds of food orders being called up to the kitchen, with people animatedly talking at the small tables crowded together, and a dizzying array of choices in hot dogs, burgers, salads and sides, do not miss The Slaw Dogs restaurant at 720 N. Lake Ave. #8, Pasadena, CA 91104. Open since February 2010, the owner, Raymond Byrne, had an original idea that has made a big impression on the locals. Raymond was searching the internet for a restaurant in Pasadena that served Thai coleslaw on their hot dogs, and couldn't find a single one. Although slaw is traditionally served over hot dogs in the Southern states, it is virtually unknown here on the West coast.

His new, family style restaurant opened with two screens of sports coverage going full time, which are politely muted for those patrons who would rather enjoy the 50s style music playing, and the patrons coming and going accompanied by a friendly personal greeting from the staff. This is the perfect lunch or dinner spot, whether you're alone or with a crowd.

This lively departure from the anonymity of other fast food places offers up great food, atmosphere like crazy and a belly full of tasty satisfaction. I ordered a traditional favorite, their "original slaw dog", which is liberally sprinkled with chili, cheese, mustard, onions, and of course their famous coleslaw, accompanied by the very best onion rings in town and a delicious ABITA root beer, all for under 13 bucks.

They've put together 10 combinations of hot dogs, including; the original, the chili cheese dog, the picnic dog, the Caesar dog, the Reuben dog, the Green monster, the A.B.L.T. Dog, the Thai slaw dog, the soy bomb (which is a veggie dog with tofu, shiso ginger-ponzu slaw and sesame) and the TNT super dog, also known as The Good Timer ($4.99-$8.88).

They offer a plethora of toppings for the dogs, along with their world-famous sides like Belgian style fries, chili cheese fries, sweet potato fries, beer battered onion rings, potato salad, coleslaw, Thai slaw, or a chili cheese bowl ($2.99-$4.99).

If you'd rather have sausage than hot dogs, they carry spicy chicken sausage, chicken apple sausage, Bavarian bratwurst, spicy Polish sausage, and spicy Calabrese sausage that can be rippered (deep fried) or charbroiled on request ($3.49-$4.99), along with hamburgers and cheeseburgers ($4.49-$6.99).

They have some killer good salad bowls, including; the seasonal mixed green salad (apple, walnuts, goat cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette are served over fresh mixed greens), a Caesar's salad, the Thai sausage salad, a Greek salad and a barbecued ranch salad that includes corn, black beans, pepper jack cheese, jicama, barbecue sauce and tomatoes over greens (all salad bowls go for just $7.99 and include your choice of meat).

With something for everyone, they can serve up the vegetarians; turkey dogs, veggie dogs, the soy bomb veggie dog, several of their salads and side dishes without a trace of meat, and for the Pups (kids 12 and under), they have a special that includes a hot dog, fries, small drink and dessert (Amy's fudge) for only $5.99. They also have an amazing selection of beer, wine and soda on tap to accompany your meal.

The Slaw Dogs, located at 720 N. Lake Ave. #8, Pasadena, CA 91104, is open Sundays through Wednesdays from 11am to 9pm and Thursdays through Saturdays from 11am to 10pm. Their parking lot is in the Rose City Plaza, a small shopping center on North Lake Avenue right before you get to The Slaw Dogs. You can phone in your order ahead of time for pickup at 626-808-9777 or check out the menu at The Slaw Dogs website.

If you'd like to get the whole scoop on hot dog history, go to the What's Cooking in America website that features historical quotes and references about the wondrous Wiener dog.