Dog Haus

Dog Haus is popular. I get it. Hot dogs all jazzed up with different condiments and toppings, and served on King’s Hawaiian buns. Menu sounds like Pink’s but updated for present day. I wanted to like this place. And I do, but there’s one small flaw to the place: the hot dog itself. The frank itself is pretty…unspectacular. Basically looked and tasted like a good Hebrew’s National that you boil yourself (yes it was boiled, not grilled). So I’ve come to the conclusion that a hot dog at Dog Haus (like the Sooo Cali one above) is the equivalent of a specialty roll from cheap sushi joints. But that’s not too bad. In fact, it can be quite decent. If distance is not a problem, I’d go to Fab though.

Chris Hei grade: B-

Dog Haus
105 N Hill Ave, Ste 104
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 577-4287

Buca di Beppo

I love my friends Larry & Michelle.

A big group of us were at the Pasadena location (didn’t realize how big of a chain they were BTW) for Larry & Michelle’s wedding “rehearsal” dinner. Had a great time: met some new people, shared some stories, shared some laughs, got full. But the food was probably along the lines of what you’d find at Olive Garden – generic Americanized Italian food served in more-than-generous portions (with the requisite red and white checkered tablecloths). We ordered a salad, two pastas, a pizza, and a dessert, and that was more than enough to stuff eleven diners. So yeah, those portions were indeed very generous. And service is great – casual, but very accommodating and cordial. Add all that up, and that’s all you can ask for from a place like this.

On another note: tried to sneak in Settebello after dinner, but they close at 10pm :(

Chris Hei grade: C

Buca di Beppo
80 W Green St
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 792-7272