I honestly don’t know how this one slipped by me…
I get so much email from HDCN readers that I can’t possibly publish it all so I put a lot of it in a folder to look at later. That folder has gotten pretty fat. Today I was looking through it and read the following note from Jack Clark of Jack’s Last Stand (LOVE the name!) and I was blown away with the cart Jack built.
So many people want so many different setups and features on their carts. That is why my E-Z Built plans were designed from the start to be easily modified. In fact there are probably no two E-Z Builts exactly alike.
In the case of Jack’s cart, he took my plans and ran with them – and ran, and ran, and ran. The result is the MEGA cart you see in the photos below. Un. Be. Lievable. I’m speechless.
Jack writes,
Steve…I can’t thank you and our brother & sister slingers enough. I started with stumbling onto your blog and read your advice and comments from others. Then I purchased your business plan, how to build a cart and your book keeping software (my tax accountant loves it). By the way, I get a reduced rate because most of the work is done in your reports.
This is our second year developing our business. The plan is to do Saturday lunch on a favorite street corner and a few events for starters. I still work for a company full time but will be retiring in a year or two. The business is building as planned and has grown 18% from last year.
The commercially built cart we started with was okay but I knew there had to be a more convenient and efficient way. Your plans, ideas from other bloggers and some of my own ideas resulted in the cart I’m sending pictures of.
We have a regular customer base, nailed down some events, catered private parties and have had to turn down some requests because of being booked up. Before closing down this season we have a celebration at our local Gatorade plant requiring 800 hot dogs.
I don’t want you to suffer from an over inflated ego, but I’m sure that you have helped several folks like myself get off the fence. Keep up the great work.
Jack Clark
Jack’s Last Stand, LLC
www.jackslaststand.com
*************************
Jack, you did a super-duper-with-a-double-twist-awesome job. I’m so proud of you!
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me every time you folks send in your stories and photos. I get a big kick out of overachievers like Jack, but I get just as much joy when someone who didn’t think they could afford to get into this business builds a bone stock E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart and hits the streets with dogs a’blazin!
Keep ‘em coming folks. This is why I write this newsletter and why I think Hot Dog Cart News has the best readership and friendliest community of slingers on the interwebs. You all ROCK and I love each and every one of you!!!
-Steve
P.S. In honor of you, I put together a discounted package on the E-Z Built + Hot Dog Biz 101. Click the ad below to get it.
Click the unbelievable pics below to see a larger version.
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome setup there! Nice Job!!
Really fantastic setup!!!! What do you clean your cart with …….it looks so nice????
Wow that’s all I can say. What a super cart. This is just what I will build the next time around.
Absolutely beautiful. I like the fact that have the capacity for big events. Great job. If a snake ever bites me I’ll know where to go.
Absolutely Incredible!!! What a cart. My hats off to you Jack. I see you have the “HotDog Remedy”, I think you should call it the “Cure All Dog”! Thanks Steve, this has been one of my favorites so far.
That is one kick-a** cart!!! I’m jealous!
Sweeeet!
That IS a sharp looking cart. It is so professional looking, you may get a few side jobs from people.
Now that’s a big cart and very well layed out, very clean looking. Like Jack the advise that we have recieved from Steve has made life so much better. I also run my cart parttime. The one thing that I hate to do is turn down events but this year we have had to turn down a couple of events and even had some customers change their events so that we could be there. My sales are up 12% Operating cost down 18%. Gotta love what we do. Thanks Steve
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
That is an awesome looking cart!
WOW !! That is one great set up.
Nice job !!
1st mate Jim.
Excellent!
Jacks Last Stand ~priceless
Nice job, Pops!
Beautiful cart. Wish I could see it in person. Uhhhh, where’s the propane tank?
Very nice cart. Nicely settup.
My Motto Is
A Hot Dog A Day Keeps The Doctor Away…
Thanks everybody.
Kevin…The propane tanks are in the compartment on the back to the right of the hand sink along with a 1000 watt inverter, built in battery charger and GFCI receptacle. The deep cell marine battery is under the hand sink.
Nice stand Jack, We are thinking about a bigger stand this winter ourselves.
Reeaalllly nice set up, it is so spacious, and ergonomically correct, like a fighter pilots Hot Dog Cart! What is the invertet used for Jack? And, where did you get those roll top steam table lids???? How many dogs will she hold anyways?
Best I’ve seen that I liked in years Jack!
What state are you licensed in ? What was the build cost ? That is one awsome cart, and it will really cure the vapors. WOW !
That cart is Sooo-wheat !!
Very cool cart…what do you use to clean your cart with?
joe
Go, Jack, Go!
I love the new cart and I’m really glad to hear your business is growing and doing well. Keep the sun at your back Dogslinger. In case you’re wondering, your former cart is doing well too.
-Steve Shaffar
Great looking cart Jack , awesome ideas. Thinking about a inverter myself, what kind of life do you get out of the battery in a day? Love the name also.
Gary…The inverter gives me power to run a cash register, open sign & a fan on hot days. The roll top lids are from BigTray.com. I steam buns on one side and use a 1/3 pan for chili, 1/3 pan for hot dogs & the other 1/3 for a backup for either one. That should give you an idea of how many dawgs you can do.
Jack, Thank you very much for the reply Sir! Two last ?s for you… on the 1/3 steamer pans for your buns, do you find that you have to use an insert, something fiberous perhaps, to keep the buns from baking? And how long will the battery power the inverter when your runnin all that/those current draw accessories? Your input is greatly appreciated! Gary
WOW ! Great set-up. Looks like a restaurant on wheels !
Hi jack I have you on my facebook and it is a good looking stand, I do know that material on that cart is not cheap”, Diamond plate is high dollar, becouse when I built my carts, it was stainless or diamond plate, and I went with stainless, to save a little but not much however that diamond plate wow, better push some doggie’s to make up for that ,but Good job looks great”
Gary…On the bun side I use 2- ½ pans or 1 full pan. The buns are put in popup foil sheets just folded over. I stress folded over rather than wrapped. Easier to open to put in hot dog and serve, keeps them from drying out and customers appreciate the foil.
Running the equipment previously mentioned, 7-8 hrs.
Steve Shaffar…Good to hear from you & glad your doing well.
Hey, great job on the cart I especial like the flat top griddle, I was wondering what size is it and did you have to convert it from Natural Gas to propane? I have a 24″ Star Max 40k BTU griddle that I’m trying to do the logistics of fitting it in my “tiki hut/ cart” and since I have a top I’m not sure if I’ll need an exhaust hood even though the four walls are open. Anyway, great job and it’d be awesome if you’d get back to me on the size and gas conversion.
Alridge…All you will need to do is change the orifice. Unscrew the tip where the gas enters the burner and take it to an appliance place is all you need to do. Shouldn’t need a hood if you stay outside.
Great job Jack, I love it it looks alot like mine. Mine is 96″ by 40″ I wish you all the best with your slinging… Like I always say go big or go home…..
Why am I always hungry for Hot Dogs when I read this newsletter? Awesome cart!!!