The Happy Hound of Los Gatos

If you’re in the mood for quick and tasty lunch, skip the usual fast food chains and head to The Happy Hound in Los Gatos. They’ve been serving good-old-fashioned burgers, hot dogs, fries, sandwiches, and shakes at this little family-owned roadside shack for more than 50 years. I always opt for the Happy Hound and fries. You can just get a traditional hot dog or top it with huge gobs of everything from relish, onions, tomatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, chili, or whatever makes your mouth water. INSIDER TIP: ask to have your hot dog and bun grilled like I do. It doesn’t cost extra and it’s much more flavorful than steamed. I like the fact that burgers are cooked to order so you can specify the degree of doneness. Side orders of fries are huge and cooked perfectly with just the right amount of salt. Vegetarians, vegans, and the gluten-free crowd have a few menu choices too. If you’re adventurous, there are a couple of items that I haven’t tried, like the Mexi Hound in a flour tortilla and the Hell Hound with Spicy Angry Sauce. Yikes! You can order outside at the side window or inside at the counter. There are outdoor tables in two separate seating areas (one on the side and a new one in back) and limited seating inside (small tables and a few bar stools). Parking spaces are scarce, either in their tiny lot or on the street. The very friendly, well-trained, and welcoming staff keeps the place squeaky clean. Bring lots of patience if you show up at lunchtime (especially on weekends) since lines tend to be long, or just order online and your food will be ready when you arrive. They also deliver. The totally retro Happy Hound is a pure nostalgia trip for me and I recommend it for kids of all ages.