Here’s a great question about how to keep your hot dogs hot when it’s cold outside…
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Hey Steve would you ask your hot doggers a question for me? I would like to know what is the best way to wrap up your dogs you serve. I have seen a foil like paper and a open box. Is there something out there that you can wrap them up so they stay warm? I will send picks to you when I get started. I can’t wait to get started! Everyone in town knows that I’m building this and they can’t wait either. I have already had them ask me to set up at their locations. I think that I am going to be busy!
Thanks!
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Congrats on your start up! Sounds like you are building up some pre-opening excitement. Good for you!
I use these wax sheets from Sam’s Club but they don’t do much to keep the dogs warm.
When it get’s cold out you can ask the customer if they want a foil wrap to keep it warm or are they just going to eat it right now.
If they are eating it on the spot just cradle the dog in a wax sheet and hand it to the customer. There is no reason to waste a foil sheet in this circumstance.
If they do want a foil wrap, I still wrap the dog in a wax sheet first, then wrap that in the foil. This offers an extra layer of insulation.
OK slingers, your turn. What are all y’all doing as far as wrapping methods? Let us know in the comments!
-Steve
Everything you need to start and succeed in the Hot Dog Biz is now in one place. HDP Premium.
I am doing almost the same as you Steve. I put my dogs in a hotdog tray then wrap it in a foil sheet, once wrapped I put in a paper bag for easy transport . All paper and foil products bought at Smart and Final
Hope this helps
Ray Garcia
http://www.facebook.com/rayshotdog
Thanks Ray. Again, nice presentation.
Always foil.
Simple and effective. Thanks Larry!
I always use the large flat sandwich paper wraps. Since I put my dogs in a boat with the chips I do a special little tuck from the bottom corner of the sheet and a double fold so the end of the dog sticks out. I guess a side benefit of that is that it wraps the dog a bit to keep it warm.
Lunch size paper bags work great for sending out “To Go” orders and I can fit two of the “dogs in a boat” out that way. I’m sure they add some thermal protection as well.
Sounds like an efficient way to wrap. Also a nice touch from a presentation standpoint. Take a pic of if a dog wrapped with your “special little tuck and double fold” so I can put it up here.
Thanks Kevin!
I used to use the paper sheets because most all my customers eat right away. But when the pulled pork started catching on, I began using foil as I had so many contractors coming in with big orders to go. I have the biggest foil sheets that Sam’s club offers and it’s too small for 2 dogs, so I double wrap them, and it fits perfectly for the pork or sausages. Not many people are taking them far so I’ve had no complaints.
I love pulled pork. Great tips Robin!
I use BBQ foil lined bags you can get them at most resturant depots and they work great. The small bags hold 2 easy and the large will hold 4. You can pick up a box of 1000 for $20 so they are pretty cost effective.
Great tip Jillie!
Foil and put in brown bag if they are not going to eat then. Maybe gonna take back to the office.
Nice.
I do not use any wax paper yet this is my third week and i have been using only foil but i can see how this could change soon i will get wax paper here in pennsylvania it gets pretty cold in january and febuary. THANKS!
You’re welcome Dave. (I emailed you a reply to your question about the free website we built for you. Lookin’ good!)
When biz is not real hectic, I wrap my buns in foil – keeps them from getting soggy – and then insert dog, other wise I agree with Steve.
Makes sense. Good to hear from you Hank. How’s CO treating you?
So it sounds like wax is cheaper than foil if i am not mistaken so in that case when they do not want it wrapped i should use wax instead of foil?
It’s not that big a difference from a cost standpoint. Use what works best for you.
GFS has styrofoam clamshells that would keep them warm. 12 cents each so would have to reserve for special use.
Trays and foil gets my vote with paper bags for multiple dogs to go.
Yes, the clamshells are pricey indeed.
I use honey comb paper with foil backing and not cheep, I use a cost factor of seven cents per dog. I do use paper plates if they are eating by me at the lake or pool. That is the only time I do no use foil. I have been looking for better prices and I’d any one has a place please let me know.
I feel this gives me up scale operation. We also do drive by (bikes, golf carts, walking, auto,truck and Rv) I find it all adds to the experience.
Hot dog Jim
The experience is the key to being able to charge more. Nice job Jim!
Robin,
I like to feature the pulled pork as well but mostly when I’m working horse shows out here in Colorado. The Jack Daniels is the best because you really don’t need to have a lot of sauces to go with it except for the dill pickle slices…gettin’ hungry Steve…lol. I usually re-heat my dogs for a short while to keep them warm and have hot chocolate on hand for these shorter fall and winter days. My hours are probably a little different than most doggers since I cater to a lot of middle to high school kids hitting the skate park (my permanent digs) after school to socialize and eat supper. I do keep the foil sheets on hand for take-out orders.
I just ate and now I’m hungry all over again. Thanks Robert 😉
If people out there like Jack Daniels, stick with it. Around here people won’t touch it. I use Byrons from Sam’s club and add a couple of things to it that I have on the cart. I’m getting a LOT of positive word of mouth from it and there have been days I sold more of that than the dogs. But whatever works for you. It’s a matter of taste in your local neighborhood.
Hi Steve, I use the foil sheets to wrap my dogs in. I then put a couple paper towels in the bottom of a food tray and put the dogs or dog in the tray and fold the towls over it and usually set a bag of chips on the top, if they want them.This way they have a paper towl with them also. This seems to work for me. I just use foil sheets all the time to wrap them in, just in case they are real messy and this prevents the toppings from falling on the person.My customers seem to like it this way. Hope this helps! Thanks, John From Rosie’s Hawg Dogs
Very helpful indeed. Thanks John!
Hi Ray,Yes ray foil is the is the way to go , buy you a case @ sam club $5.00 buck ea.hotdog is big business.
Wax sheets jumbo size fits all including italian Beef Diped {doubled wraped}, 2 napkins wraped around each dog or sandwich. Packed in a 2,5 or 8lb. bag all served hot and fresh. No differnt than micky dees except napkins.
Italian beef dipped. Oh, man – I’m salivating. One of my favorite Chicago foods. Great packaging technique Tommy. Thanks for sharing it with us!
cart number two startin in the morning, busy, busy, commissary is at the cart location and customer has 14 other locations wantin carts, hoping to be busy and need honest help, gone run applicants thru background checks and possibly considering drug test, cant blame for that..hope all goes well.
Wow! Good luck Gordy, you can do it!
I always use foil. I don’t have room to keep both paper and foil available. The other reason – I server fries and need to wrap them in something. I also use a boat or tray to server the dog and fry meal or just the fries.
Makes sense Rich.
I use the big foil sheets that come from Sams (Red Box), they are a little easier to use because of the size, they do cost a little more but I think the money is well spent. I also take one sheet and place in the bottom of my steam pan on the bun side and one sheet to cover my buns, this helps them stay longer and also keeps the heat in and the water out. I have noticed that I have to turn my burners up a little higher in the winter (it should be noted that it is going to be in the 70’s in Georgia this week. When it gets real cold I stay home too….
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
The 70’s. Ahhh….
Great tip Michael!
I use foil sheets and paper bags if they are going somewhere else to eat.
I’m shut down for the winter and I really miss slinging. Com’on spring !!!
I hear ya Bruce. Winter is not my favorite season either but I can’t get my wife to move any further south. Too many bugs and snakes she says, lol!
I wrap 12 pkgs. buns in foil sheets [2 cents ea.] every night. Then I steam them on cart. customers appreciate me going extra step. Complements all the time how hot food is.
Nice touch Mike!
Hey Gordy, I hope you will give extra preference to hiring Vets, in fact you could contact your local V.A. they could hook you up with Vets needing work! Best of luck to you on expanding, and congrats on your success !
Happy Thanksgiving to all Slingers !
Hey Mike…do you wrap the buns separately in foil then pull one out to fill with a dog when it gets ordered? I have had trouble with my getting my buns warmed before I fill and was filling them then wrapping in foil and setting them on my grill for about 30 seconds…I don’t like to take that much time if there is a line though. Question for the group…how many dogs do you start with and when do you add more? I am always afraid I will cook too many and not sell them or not have enough when I need them if I only do a few at a time.
I start with 2 dozen and warm more as necessary. I’d rather have leftovers than lose a customer over a 5 minute wait.
365 I use wax sheets and always ask “are ya gonna eat that now? Or should I wrap them up for ya? Or maybe have one for now and wrap the other?”
Anything wrapped goes in foil. EXCEPT for chili cheese dogs without “the works”, that goes in a styrofoam container, its just too messy to unwrap in foil. and makes a great presentation too!
But, 95% of my dogs are “the works” dogs. I put the sauerkraut on last, and that holds everything else in nice and neat when unwrapped, even the chili.
Kraut on top does keep things neat. Thanks Aran!
Happy Thanksgiving To ALL,
I have been using the large foil for a year. I have the big Weiners or is it Wiener? I have tried other wrappers out here in Indiana but nothing seems to melt the shredded cheese as good as the foil on the chili cheese or Texas. There is notheing better than my #1 seller THE RUBEN dog, I put the swiss cheese on the bun then the 1/4 LB dog then homemade thousand and homemade kraut and the cheese slice melts perfectly and it stays warm.
Yes Steve I am still slinging next surgery isn’t till Dec 21st. I’m a fighter.
Another tip for you cold weather slingers I foound that long johns as we call it out here really help keep you warm, and thermal socks. Stay Warm
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!
Weiners or Wieners? It’s both actually! Nice tips. Reuben Dog sounds awesome.
My prayers for you and the doctors who will be performing your surgery. You’ll do great!
dog sweaters
Steve,
I have an opportunity to serve hotdogs and polish sausages at a factory. The employees all go to lunch at the same time how can I prepared them ahead of time and keep them warm and fresh.
thank you for your help 🙂
A good way is to make them up ahead of time. Put a warm hot dog in a warm bun and wrap in a sheet of Handy Wacks (wax paper sheets available at Sam’s). Then place the wrapped dogs in a cooler. The cooler will keep them warm, especially if you fill it up.