Frank's hot dog cart

New Yorker John Cox recently told the story of a man named Frank who, along with his faithful pooch, set up a hot dog cart on the corner in Queens where John grew up.  It was the 1960’s and Frank was the first to open a Sabrett’s Hot Dog push cart in the area.  Here is John’s description of this vivid memory from his youth.

“Before long he was doing a brisk business providing lunch to the many people who worked at garages, factories and warehouses along Broadway and nearby Northern Boulevard. And on weekends, before we drove off to visit one relative or another, my father would pull his car up behind Frank’s cart and each of us–my mother, brother and me–would get a dog and a soda. I don’t remember exactly how much it cost, but in those days it was our idea of dining out.”

John goes on to describe in detail something each of us knows well.  We all have extremely strong opinions on what constitutes the perfect hot dog.  Myself, being from Chicago, it’s not a hot dog until you drag it through the salad – and don’t forget the sport peppers and celery salt!  John grew up on the red onion sauce invented by Alan Geisler and says, “a dog without Mr. Geisler’s sauce is like bacon without eggs, ham without cheese, water without scotch whiskey. It does nothing for me.”

Water without scotch whiskey…ha!  Love it!  Reminds me of what W.C. Fields used to say about why he never drank water.  “Fish ____ in it”.  But I digress…

John continues.  “After a few years Frank was doing so well that during winter months he suspended business and, with his loyal canine friend, vacationed in Florida. But his return each spring was as welcome as the warm weather, green leaves on trees and baseball.”

Who else wants a business where you can make a year’s worth of money and still take the winter off?  If this sounds good to you, I can show you how to get started with hot dog carts.

Glass of water anyone?

– Steve