One of my E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart customers just send me this photo tutorial on how to build a simple shelf that will work on any hot dog cart. It’s simple and effective and you can view it at the bottom of this article.
You may remember Kevin as the super creative builder of the fantastic Wicked Dogs hot dog cart. He has a great eye for design and color, and he used some very unconventional materials to make his E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart truly one of a kind.
A quick side note: Now that Kevin has his own restaurant on wheels, he can live anywhere he wants to. Guess what? He’s going to hitch up his Wicked Dogs cart and move back to his hometown. How cool is that?!!!
True freedom awaits. A lot of us get into this business for the fun and great profit potential but an often overlooked aspect is the freedom and location independence that a mobile food business gives you. I don’t know about you but I value my freedom over just about everything else. Living where you’ve always wanted to live and not having to punch a clock working for the man is hard to put a price on.
Case in point: Last weekend I rolled my cart down to a local parade, made $100 an hour for three hours, then rolled on home. It was hot out so I got some ice cream on the way back. Nice afternoon. (Pics and video coming soon.)
OK, back to the photo tutorial. Kevin writes,
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Hey Steve,
I’m attaching some pictures of a little shelf that I made… I know guys have made these before out of metal, etc. but I just made mine out of 2 X 2’s and Luan wood. Hope your readers can use this tip.
Kevin
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Thanks Kevin! What a great way to get a little more space – something we all struggle with on our carts for sure.
Click on the pictures for a larger version…
Kevin, is creative. I like it. Nice job.
Great way to add space, gotta try that, thanks for the idea.
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
Could even use 1×2’s if you wanteed less weight.
Nice cart, but where are all the sinks?
Nice, easy. My favorite way of doing things!
Thanks Steve! Jerry…great point – why didn’t I think of that? LOL Gregory, my area only requires one sink and it’s on the end that isn’t in the pics….
Every week I look forward to the hot dog cart new letter! I’ve been drawing my own cart plans for some time now, they are almost finished. I already have my menu made out. I plan to open in one of our industrial areas in town. If I’m approved Id be the first.
Thank you!….You and your fellow doggers have been a great help.
Grandpa Tom
Just to add in case anyone is wondering, if you space the left and right 2×2’s correctly, they will fit snug against the handles of the cart so no other attachment (like in the middle) is needed to keep it on. I literally have to kind of “jam” my platform down but it should work great….
I love it! The only thing I want to know is…..being that I am not very handy without direction, what would be recommended for use to hold it up while in use, and then be able to fold it down afterwards? What kind of locking hinge is used?
The pictures gave me a idea – rather than a permanent shelf, build it so it will sit between the 2 handle bars – that way you still have the use of the bars for moving the cart and a nice extra shelf!
You can pick up some nice Corian pieces for cheap from countertop builders – a nice white corian area would make any health inspector smile!
why the 2×2’s ? just cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood and trim the push handles so that when in place the top’s are even..
To Danny-3/4″ Plywood will warp over time. Need the stiffeners.