Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom

Your cardiologist might not approve, but Jody Maroni's all-natural, preservative-free "haute dogs" are some of the best wieners in town. The grungy walk-up (or in-line skate-up) counter looks fairly foreboding -- you wouldn't know there was gourmet fare behind that hot dog stand facade, from which at least 24 different grilled sausage sandwiches are served up. Bypass the traditional hot Italian and try the Toulouse garlic, tequila chicken, all-chicken apple, or the Polish pork (made with dark beer). Each is served on a freshly baked onion roll and smothered with onions and peppers. Burgers, BLTs, and rotisserie chicken are also served, but why bother? Tip: The stand closes when it rains. Other locations include the Valley's Universal CityWalk (tel. 818/622-5639), and inside LAX Terminals 6, where you can pick up some last-minute vacuum-packed sausages for home.

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