The Stand Expands Modern American Comfort Food to Calabasas

The Stand started as an old-school hot dog and burger spot in 2003, but the father and son who run the burgeoning chain have made sure their company has stayed current since their early days in Encino. The Wishengrad family’s rebrand started in earnest in 2016 with a new outpost in Northridge that sported a new look. Modern updates have reverberated across the restaurant group, which now spans eight locations including a new arrival in Calabasas.

Sure, The Stand sells salads, but burgers, sausages and (best of all) hot dogs are better places to start. “Design your own dog” with more than three dozen possible condiments and toppings. They also have signature “creations” like the Spicy Pastrami—a bunned beast with spicy Polish sausage hosting pastrami, Swiss cheese, slaw, kraut, yellow mustard and burger sauce.

Seasonal specials appear on an auxiliary LED menu. I ordered the Grand Stand Turkey sandwich with roasted turkey breast, punchy peppadew caraway spread, crispy applewood smoked bacon, creamy avocado, shredded lettuce, thin-shaved onion and dill on toasted sourdough. They also offered a brussels sprout Caesar salad as part of their “American classics redefined” mission.

For dessert, they stock brownies and cookies by the register and sell vanilla (or chocolate) custard. A staffer walked from table to table, distributing custard samples. Her “super creamy, super smooth” description was apt. Rich could also apply.

Weekend brunch spans from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes crowd-pleasers like Hawaiian bread French toast, a breakfast sandwich with house-made sausage patty, and three-grain breakfast bowl with a pair of poached eggs.

To drink, The Stand rotates 12 craft beers and pours five different glasses of wine.

A canary yellow facade and umbrella-shaded patio give way to a dining room with wood panel and orange walls. A variety of seating options, including wooden booths and high-top communal table, all provide views of six large flat-screen TVs and an open kitchen.

23683 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas, 818-206-6363