Nothing like smoking a pipe right over your food cart.

Here is a look back in time at our food cart heritage. Giant photo gallery below.

President Eisenhower had one and he called it, “The most fantastic thing you ever saw”.

Sold by General Electric in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s, the Partio Cart was a 220V electric food cart designed for outdoor residential use.

The following is from the GE brochure…

“Your new Partio Cart is a complete indoor-outdoor cooking center on wheels.

At one end is a complete electric range, for oven baking, roasting, broiling, and two extra Hi-Speed units and a removable automatic griddle for fast, controlled heat.

At the other end is a deluxe charcoal barbecue for capacity grilling or spit roasting. Handsome drop-leaf removable cutting boards, along the side, provide convenient working and serving counter space.

The gay umbrella can be tilted for protection, and the wheels and long cord allow convenient location of the Partio Cart for ease in use and entertaining. “

I don’t think you could get away with a 220 volt ungrounded outdoor appliance these days, but this is sure fun to look at.

Does this give you any ideas for hot dog cart modifications? Let me know in the comments!

-Steve

Click the picture for a larger image.

P.S. I saw this on one of my favorite blogs, Retro Renovation and thought you might get a kick out of it.

Click here for free hot dog cart lessons by email.