I was waiting a while to write the review on this place as it really is --- the cultural Mecca of Sunland. This particular 7-11 is probably the most trafficked and frequented place along the Boulevard.
Many 7-11's probably have been looked at and described carefully and you may think you may understand all that there ever is or will be about 7-11, but in this instance prepare to find true understanding.
First, no on has ever won any sizable Lottery Jackpot at this location, statistically making it a sure-thing down the road for some lucky, low-income player. The struggling counter supplies tell the tale of loss and shame amongst the candidacy of Lottery gold.
Second, and please don't get too upset when I break this announcement off, but the hotdogs served at 7-11 are probably the best in the city. Even better than the wait-for-an hour-in-line Pink's. Yes, I said it. Pink's doesn't even stand in the glory of 7-11 hotdogs for one reason and one reason alone. 7-11 uses Hebrew National and advertises that fact clearly. Pink's uses an off brand dog that's owned by Hoffa. Now please forgive me, but Jimmy Hoffa was never found and just the idea of eating a dog by a company named after a missing piece of meat, leaves me downright suspicious. And on a side note: after every Pink's dog I ever ate, my anus started the proverbial porcelain itch, if you know what I mean. Twenty minutes later, I was always sitting watching my body evacuate a strange and unknown bacteria life form. Sorry Pinks, but you're for tourists, not die-hards and locals. 7-11 has almost reached perfection with its hotdogs, the only downfall are the people who handle them. Certain cultural humps will probably never be mastered.
Third, the coffee at this 7-11 is incredibly good, never burnt, self-serve, simple, heavily caffeinated and always hot, unlike its neighbor that I recently reviewed a few days back. It's pretty difficult to mess up a good cup of coffee, but Starbucks takes pride in that footrace.
Fourth, if you're the kind that likes to help the homeless, start here. I've spent hours talking with some of these poor indigent fellows that were born in Sunland, raised in Sunland and became homeless in Sunland. Hard to believe, but believe me --- I heard it. There is a living, breathing, growing street community here and this 7-11 is the early evening hotspot where everyone comes to panhandle, play guitar, loiter in the parking lot and verbally accost the invisible. I recently was offered a copy of the new 'Casino Royale' on bootleg DVD, but when I opened the case, there was no disk. The guy said:
"I'll mail it to you, but you have to pay in advance for that."
Yeah, right. I'm all over it.
Check the schedule:
6am --- 11am ... Day Laborers galore
12pm --- 4pm ... Skateboarders & Street vendors
4pm --- 7pm ... Meth addicted guitar players
7pm --- 9pm ... Meth-addicted mentally ill
9pm --- 2am ... Regular old school homeless
This 7-11 may one day find its way onto National Geographic, but for now, it's social gold. Enjoy it, before the gentrification comes in like alcohol in a Meth Lab and evaporates the real substance here.
On a Post Script: Be advised that on weekends this particular 7-11 is a popular meeting point for Motorcycle Clubs across Southern California, and is heavily discussed on websites. This is commonly reffered to as the "Big Tujunga 7-11." Cruising the Boulevard early enough will allow you to witness this in action. Hundreds of bikes my jam this place leaving you to keep trucking. read more