This is a really cool story! One of the great things about the Hot Dog Biz is that you get the opportunity to meet new and interesting people each and every day. Hot Dog Cart News reader Ron D. writes…
So a friend calls me on Friday and asks if I would be interested in serving hot dogs at one of his clients’ house on Sunday. His clients son was turning 5 and they thought it would be fun to have a hot dog cart. I worked out the details and show up on Sunday. Everything went perfect. Everyone was super nice and loved the dogs and selection of fresh condiments.
I didn’t think the day could get any better. It turns out the birthday boys father is 6 time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner and current 3rd baseman of the New York Yankees, Eric Chavez. How cool is that?
-Ron DeRoest
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Eric Chavez… Wow, how cool is that?! Thanks for sharing your story Ron.
OK slingers, now I’m dying to know – who else here has met or served any other famous folks in the course of running your hot dog cart business? Locally famous counts, like your mayor, local TV or radio personalities, etc. Let us know in the comments!
-Steve
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
i am going to start saving 50 dollars a month to get me a cart by this summer.
Well… In about two weeks I will finally have my cart finished. (Thank You Steve and HDP) The new career will be a replacement for the one I retired from in November as a Rock N Roll bus driver in the entertainment industry hauling rock stars or their crew for the last 18 years. Does that count? LOL My cart will be appropriately named “ROADIE DAWGZ”
My little cart in Chicago (Hubby’s in the Dog House) has been visited by white sox pitcher Will Ohman, Cubs/Sox vet Steve Trout, and SNL cast member Tim Meadows (The Ladies’ Man!). All have been genuinely nice men and loved our Chicago style dogs!
My wife and I were selling hot dogs and drinks at a little league game in Scottsdale Az. when Luis Gonzales (famous Az. Diamondback baseball player) walked up and ordered. My wife was in awe, didnt even want to charge him, he insisted and left a tip. His son was on one of teams playing. That night we told my son his favorite player came to our hot dog cart, our son was very eager to work with us from then on.
All my customers are famous to me!! They give me money and make me happy, what else could you want or need….
AWESOME !!! How cool is this.
Any others have stories like this?
I love your dedication Cliff. You can do it!!!
This is what it’s all about!!
Hey Rick,
I remember shipping your training materials to a hotel because you were on the road.
Who’s the biggest star you ever drove?
-Steve
Marci,
I LOVE the name of your cart. Catchy!!!
-Steve
Jeff,
That must have been really fun!
-Steve
Michael (aka DUGG),
You nailed it, my slingin’ brother from another mother!
-Steve
We have had Dennis Leary’s wife stop in. They live in Roxbury and built a weekend getaway on the lake. Also, World renowned architect, Jose Santiago, And locals like First selectman, Mark Lyon and all the town hall crew. We’re still waiting for Joan Rivers who has a summer place about a mile from the cart.
We have served the likes of Jay Cutler’s father (Chicago Bears QB) and Ron Kittle retired White Sox slugger
Was doing a birthday party for a 3 yo girl. I provided hotdog and cotton candy cart. The local Chevy dealer himself. Was manning the popcorn cart.
in my first week of slinging dogs we had Heismen trophy winner Billy Sims visit our cart outside of a nightclub. He is a local celebrity here in oklahoma.
That was me Steve
Biggest star? Well up until November I worked for the biggest Rock N Roll bus company in the business (Senators Coach) and have toured with: Elton John, Coldplay, AC/DC, U-2, Britney Spears, Foreigner, Styx, Ozzy, Matchbox 20, CSN and the list goes on (don’t want to seem like a braggart… trust me, it ain’t all it’s cracked up to be) LOL
Wow – all very cool stories. Let’s hear some more!
One beautiful summer day working @ Weiners on water, a small inflatable boat appeared in the distance. As the vessel neared I saw a stout figure of a man with a hungry look on his face.
To my suprise it was none other than Steve Schaible !!!
Then I woke up !!! Arrrrrgg !
1st mate Jim.
Hey Steve ,
That lunch offer is good any time !!
Come on out & take a hot dog tour…
1st mate Jim.
Hey everyone, during the November Belton Market Day I met a local radio celebrity for a country radio station, Brenda from the morning show. She’s a character and she totally loved my hot dogs! I’ve got a couple of the radio hosts that like my business page on facebook. If you ask me though, everyone of my customers are famous to me cause they all love my hot dogs and they keep coming back!
Jim,
Aye mate, ’tis I appearin’ as an apparition in yer troubled sleep, owin no doubt to a sport pepper eaten jist afore bed time.
Aaargh!
Esteban,
I got your shirt buddy, thanks! It’s awesome. I’ll be modeling it here shortly…
Let me start by saying My #1 FAVORITE MAN in the Universe is my Husband MIKE! That being said all the men in our town (they eat more than the women ) serving our town Manager Bernie aka Mayor, Jack Cutler with his buddy Bruce who might I add gave me a very hard time about the Chicago Bears and their QB I passionately defended the Bear’s and found out 3 days later it was Jay Cutlers dad. During the Wizard of OZ Fest a 3 day afair here in Chesterton, IN I served Dorthy, the Lion, the Tin MAn, the Scarecrow and the two Original Munchkins that are still alive. Of course the Dept heads of our town and the Town Counsil Members. I LOVE All my customers and have a Great time with everyone. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job
Munchkins? Are you kidding me? YOU WIN! Too cool Kim.