CITYWALKING THE DOG POPULAR BASEBALL STADIUM FARE COMES TO UNIVERSAL.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

UNIVERSAL CITY - Tommy Lasorda ate a Dodger Dog on Thursday.

Hardly news, until his surroundings are considered. Rather than scarfing one at game time while watching his beloved Dodgers take on the Toronto Blue Jays, he munched the historic dog down amid a crowd at Universal CityWalk. Along with home team greats Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, the former manager inaugurated the entertainment destination's Dodger Dog franchise, the first location outside Chavez Ravine to serve the legendary wieners.

``Millions and millions of people have eaten these dogs,'' Lasorda said. ``I've never heard one complaint.''

He certainly didn't seem to have any as he inhaled his and handed them out to passers-by, and even went on to proclaim in multiple languages that the Farmer John-produced dogs were the best food he'd ever had. From the way hungry fans flooded into the store, many seemed to share Lasorda's opinion.

The small shop, located in CityWalk's second level food court, recreates aspects of the stadium's concession stands. All varieties of the signature dog are available, as are pretzels, Cracker Jacks and traditional baseball fare. Though sales appeared brisk by lunchtime, Dodgers Senior Vice President Derrick Hall characterized the stand as more of a marketing tool than a moneymaker.

``We've been looking at this for a long time,'' Hall said. ``Eventually, you need to branch out across the city. This is a good way to get our name out in the community.''

Not that the Dodgers are hurting for publicity, with the team fighting for first place and continuing to enjoy strong community relations. But with CityWalk a popular draw for international tourists unaware of the team, Hall said that the stand should serve as a net to draw their interest to the ball yard. As such, the team plans on opening a ticket booth on the premises to capture them quickly.

``It's a baseball experience in the store,'' he said, gesturing to the televisions broadcasting team highlights and long rows of Dodgers paraphernalia ready for purchase. ``We think it'll draw people back to Dodger Stadium.''

Though much of the appeal of the extra long wiener lies in consuming it while watching the game - 2 million of them were chomped down last year at the stadium, making it the most popular baseball variety by far - Universal Studios Hollywood president and chief operating officer Larry Kurzweil foresees no problems with transplanting it.

``There's a loyal fan following of the Dodger Dog,'' he said. ``That thing lives outside the stadium.''

This proved true for Mike Griffin, a diehard fan who drove from Apple Valley to sample his favorite stadium snack, sans stadium. Although he held tickets for the Thursday's game, he couldn't resist the opportunity to snack on his favorite fare early.

``I still remember seeing the Dodgers when I was 9 years old, going to see them play the Cubs with my father,'' he said, biting into his dog with gusto. ``This is more than just a taste, it's a memory. I don't know how many of these I've had in my life, but they're still good.''

He may have to wait in line for his next return, with none other than Garvey as competition.

``I never had one of these for 20 years when I was playing, so I wondered what everyone was always talking about,'' the former first-base great said. ``But now, I've got to have one every time I go to the game. I think I might be addicted.''

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Miles Allen takes a bite out of his Dodger Dog during Thursday's restaurant opening at Universal CityWalk.

(2 -- 3 -- color) Dodgers Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda pitches Dodger Dogs, above, to eager wiener fans Thursday and throws out the first hot dog during Thursday's opening of the Dodger Dogs cafe at Universal CityWalk.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer