Papa Cantella’s is now the Dodger Dog supplier

In the hot dog news that Dodger fans had been waiting for, locally-owned sausage maker Papa Cantella’s was officially announced as the exclusive producer of the famous Dodger Dogs at Chavez Ravine, replacing longtime producer Farmer John’s.

“Like the Dodgers, our history and community ties run deep in Los Angeles. We could not be more proud to be partnering with this iconic brand and product,” said Tony Cantella, President of Papa Cantella’s.

In addition to supplying the hot dogs for the stadium, the new Cantella Dodger Dogs will be available at supermarkets throughout Southern California. So look for them in a hot dog aisle near you, Dodgers fans.

Team excited by new partnership

The team itself seems enthusiastic about the new vendor as well. “The Dodger Dog is synonymous with Dodger baseball, and a ballpark tradition that has been enjoyed by generations of fans,” said Lon Rosen, Dodger Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer in a statement released by the team. “It has and always will be an iconic part of the Dodger Stadium experience and we’re proud to entrust the legacy of the Dodger Dog to Papa Cantella’s, a family-owned, local manufacturer with a reputation for superior quality products.”

Papa Cantella’s locally owned and operated

Papa Canella’s has been in business since 1980. According to its company website, company president Tom Cantella “founded this business with an Italian sausage recipe from his grandfather and a desire to provide the general public with the authentic taste of the “real” Italian sausage that was made in his kitchen as he was growing up.” 

I guess Tom will have to hold back on the Italian spices when they start mixing the recipe for the new Dodger Dogs. The Dodger Dog is many things, but spicy, it is not. The Dodgers actually have had a trial run of the hot dogs during their first two homestands, and already have sold of 100,000 of these new weenies to the paying customers.

The next homestand begins Tuesday vs. the Seattle Mariners, and there are sure to be plenty of Dodger Dogs ready to go for the occasion. Now, if Papa Cantella could only hit with runners in scoring position.