Former punk hangout and inventor of the unusual yet wildly popular tortilla-wrapped hot dog, chili and pastrami dish, is moving to a new, yet-to-be-announced location.
According to a post on Instagram, after about three decades at 860 N Fairfax Ave., the World Famous Oki-Dog is closing its West Hollywood spot on Aug. 31 and will reopen in a new location in January.
“We want to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported us over the years. Your love for our unique offerings has meant the world to us. We invite you to visit our West Hollywood location one last time before we close. Even though this spot will be closed on August 31st, we will be back next year in our new LA location in January 2025.,” reads a post on the restaurant’s Instagram page.
The online post offers no reason for the closure or clues as to the new location except to state that it will not be in the West Hollywood area. Calls to the restaurant went to a voicemail that wasn’t accepting new messages.
Originally located at 7450 Santa Monica Blvd., the stand became a famous hangout for the punk rock crowd starting back in the late 1970s and ’80s. Pictures on the Oki-Dog’s Instagram page show bands like the Beastie Boys wearing Oki-Dog trucker hats during photo shoots while pioneering punk band Youth Gone Mad scored a minor hit with the single “Oki Dog” in the early 1980s. Famed chef and food and travel TV star the late Anthony Bourdain also visited Oki-Dog to try the stand’s famous namesake dish the Oki Dog, which is made with two hotdogs, pastrami and chili wrapped up in tortilla. Bourdain was not a fan of the unusual dish.
“This is really deranged. I regret that I have only one life to give to my network,” he said in a video that, in true punk style, Oki-Dog still posted on its Instagram page despite the less than stellar review.
Oki-Dog fans posted some of their memories about the restaurant when the relocation was announced.
“I was eating at the Oki Dog on Santa Monica Blvd starting back in the late 70’s. We would come there after the clubs closed and get oki dogs and watch the punks high on quaaludes get in fights with each other in the parking lot. The dudes behind the counter would be on fire at 4 am and it was a show! An iconic legendary restaurant,” posted an Instagram user dubbed commieshow.
“And the one on Fairfax back in 80’s and 90’s was always a place for “people like me,” to get something to eat after a long three day run. No judgement and low prices and a semi chill environment. God bless you guys. I’m glad you’ll relocate. You’re legendary in Hollywood,” the post continued.
“I try to go as much as I can and get a oki burrito play the games talk to the people that been there since the 80s . A piece of muh heart!,” posted another Instagram user dubbed roninsharp420.
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