This is a work-in-progress but I decided it’s time to get this going seriously, so I’ve created a Google Map that combines both the general listings from Google and added my comments for the places that I have checked-out. I will keep updating this as I have time but I wanted to post this and get some reactions.

If the location is indicated by a regular blue pointer, I have not yet added comments. I have tried to use the fork-and-spoon to indicate sit-down options, the sandwich and drink for fast-food or carry-out, and the coffee cup for, er, coffee.

On my way from Hollywood to the Los Angeles airport recently, I remembered that I was near famed hot dog stand, Pink’s. I hadn’t been there in at least 20 years, and I rarely eat hot dogs, but this stop was well worth it.

 Pink’s at night photo by Thomas Hawk via Flickr.

Pink’s boasts that it’s been family run since it began as a street cart in 1939. The huge list of hot dog variations is on a giant hand-painted menu behind the counter, with computer-printed sheets touting modern additions to the menu, such as a vegan variation to the regular beef hot dogs.

But let’s get it straight: Pink’s is all about the traditional tube-shaped meat melange we’ve come to love as the hot dog - with every glorious topping imaginable.

Pink’s hot dogs have both flavor and texture that sets them apart from what many of us find elsewhere. At Pink’s, you’ll recognize the difference on the first crunchy, juicy bite. These dogs get their snap from their slightly thicker, natural casing that encapsulates a custom blend of beef and spices — all cooked to just the right temperature. Plus, there’s a tinge of spicy heat on the meat. These dogs have real flavor just by themselves. But Pink’s chili, from Mrs. Pink’s own recipe, works quite nicely.

There are so many options for toppings that one could easily be overwhelmed. Fortunately, Pink’s organizes the options into named variations, mostly with entertainment industry themes.  Some examples:

• Today Show Dog (two hot dogs in a single bun with mustard, onions, guacamole, chili and cheese - $6.90);
  
• Martha Stewart Dog (10-inch hot dog, sauerkraut, relish, bacon, onions, chopped tomato, and sour cream - $5.90);
• Three Dog Night (three hot dogs in a large flour tortilla with bacon, onions, cheese, chili and onions) - $7.95.

A basic Pink’s hot dog with chili, mustard and onions is $3.45 - definitely a bargain bite.

Tourists may note that there now are a few other Pink’s locations, including Citywalk at Universal City, Knott’s Berry Farm and in the Planet Hollywood complex in Las Vegas. But, please don’t think that the Las Vegas version bears any resemblance to the real Pink’s. (Well, they both serve hot dogs, but the similarity pretty well ends there.) I don’t think even a superstar Hollywood set designer could adequately recreate the atmosphere of the original Pink’s. It’s worth a visit.

Washington Heights and the area immediately around the Columbia University Medical Center has dozens of places to eat, but the diversity of choices remains somewhat limited - and predominantly Dominican. Thus, the opening of a Korean carry-out is welcome news.

Gogo-Gi, on Broadway near 164th Street, is a tiny sliver of a restaurant that maybe has room for three people to sit down. It’s really all about the bustling kitchen that cooks authentic - and inexpensive - Korean barbecue dishes on the fly. Wisely, the owners have limited the menu to just a few items. There’s no way a kitchen of this size could handle more than five or six different main ingredients.

The menu consists of five different rice bowls, each available as a small portion for $4.99 or a large portion for $7.99, except for kal-bi, Korean beef short ribs, which are $10.99. Other items are grilled or fried chicken, Korean dumplings, and side dishes such as kimchi, the garlicky spicy fermented cabbage that is perhaps the best known Korean food item in the United States.

On several visits, I have found the service to be friendly and efficient, and the portion sizes are quite reasonable for the prices. Orders take between 5 and 10 minutes for preparation.

The bul-go-gi, thinly sliced marinated beef, was tangy and sweet. The spicy pork had a tinge of fire on it, as it should (the menu indicates it with three chile pods.) Definitely more lively on the tongue than most of the other food in the neighborhood.

Gogo-gi, 3908 Broadway, New York, NY 10032; 212-543-0922; www.gogogibbq.com. Delivery in the neighborhood is free for orders over $8. Open for lunch and early dinner except Sunday.