Author: Steve

Video – From Construction Work to Hot Dog Carts


RALEIGH, N.C. –

One married couple used the bad economy as a recipe to light a fire under their careers.

After Darren and Lori West were laid off from their construction jobs, they immediately began looking for other sources of income.

“We were sitting around looking for work and discovered this hot dog cart making business on the Food Network channel,” Lori said.

Lori is from 40 miles outside Chicago and she wanted to bring the Midwest taste to the South.

Now on the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett streets, starting at $2.50 you can get a fully-loaded, Chicago style hot dog complete with mustard, onions, relish, a pickle, tomatoes, and a pepper.

They even take credit cards

“We tried to include everybody because we feel not a lot of people are walking around with cash these days,” Darren said.??The dogs are hit with transplants from the windy city and first-time Chicago dog eaters alike.

“To get right here it’s 112 miles from my house and i come down here three or four times a week,” Customer Ricky Conner said after trying a hot dog. “I’m gonna stop down here and get me one of these bad boys every time i come.”

The West’s have only been operating the hot dog stand for about a week, but they said business is going so well that they are already looking at buying another cart.

By Kendall Jones, NBC17

original story at WakeMyNC.com

Want to start your own hot dog cart business? Get up and running fast with the #1 training program Carts of Cash, on sale now!

Nicest I’ve Seen Anywhere.

Update 1/23/09 – Both units have been sold.

Just got an email from HDCN reader Rob Sigmon wanting me to list his two hot
dog restaurant kiosks for sale.

When I saw these pictures I was amazed. These are a thing of beauty!

If you’ve been thinking of moving up to the big leagues, this is your shot.

UNIT 1

Unit #1 $25,000

Existing Hot Dog Cart currently located outside Home Depot in Highlands
Ranch, Colorado. fully contained, heated and air conditioned unit, 14 feet
long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high.  Operational 365 days a year in cold and
warm climates.  Unit can accomodate three employees at a time.  Equiped with
full size Industrial Freezer, 2 Refrigerators, Condiment/Food Prep
Refrigerator, 2 Food Prep Tables, Auto Fryer, Hot Dog Grill, Bun Warmer and
Warming Wells, Coffee Machine all NSF Certified.  All restaurant utensils
and food storage units included.  Computer and Monitor for Point of Sale and
Software included.  Requires a 100 Watt permanent electrical connection.
Will deliver to you anywhere in the continental US within one week with
payment.  If prefered, will give up current lease at Home Depot –
negotiations must be made independently with leasing company for new
service.  Unit has been in service since August of 2008, all equipment is
maintaned in good working order.  Paid $62,000 new, added $10,000 in
additional equipment.  Title included.  Buy now to open by Spring Season!

Trailer Specs List
Exterior & Interior Walls
8W x 14L x 8H
100% Aluminum Rivetless Sides
Black Exterior Color
60″ Window Safety Glass
Flush Mount Flip-Up Curb Side Awning with Gas Shocks
24″x36″ Emergency Exit on Hitch Side of Trailer
FRP White Wall Covering
Slope Style Roof
(2) 4′ Double Bulb Fluorescent Shielded Lights w/switch
Screened Windows
Serving Window 14″ x 15″ w/screen
Insulated
36″ Entrance Door w/Screen Lock and Keys
Window Locks
(2) Non-Powered Roof Vents Installed
Exterior Shelf, Flip-Up
(2) Menu Boards for Left and Right Sides of Front Window, Bottom Skirt
Interior Wall Shelves
(2) Free Standing Sandwich Board Signs

Tires
4 ST 205/75/15
Double Axle Dexter 3500 Lbs w/Easy Lube
All DOT Light Package
(2) 5/16″ Ball Coupler w/Removable Hitch and Tongue Dolly
(4) Scissor Jacks

Electrical
20 Amp GFI Receptacles
100 Amp Balanced Service Panel w/Main Disconnect

Floor & Wall Structure
16″ O.C. Alum Hat Channel Studs
24″ O.C. Floor & Ceiling

Equipment
All NSF Equipment
Equipment Siliconed to Wall
8″ Legs
Towel Dispenser
Soap Dispenser
Fire Extinguisher

Plumbing
Sink System (3) Compartment w/Hand Sink (Pump, Hot Water Heater, Faucets)
50 Gal Fresh Water Tank
78 Gal Grey Water Tank

Equipment
Wire Shelving
Potable Water Inlet
(2) Counter Top Warmers, without Covers
(2) Food Prep/Storage Tables (Steel)
Single Door Upright Freezer (23 Cu Ft)
(2) Single Door Upright Coolers (23 Cu Ft)
Condiment/Food Prep Refrigerator (6 Cu Ft)
Auto Deep-Fryer & Heat Lamp Assembly
Industrial Microwave
Hot Dog Roller (72 capacity)
Bun Warmer
Coffee Maker
Air Conditioner w/Heat Strip (15,000 BTU)

UNIT 2

Start your own restaurant with this fully contained, heated and air

conditioned unit, 14 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high.  Operational
365 days a year in cold and warm climates.  Unit can accomodate three
employees at a time.  Equiped with full size Industrial Freezer,
Refrigerator, Food Prep Tables and Warming Wells all NSF Certified.
Requires a 100 Watt permanent electrical connection.   Will deliver to you
anywhere in the continental US within one week with payment.  New, never
been used, picked up from the manufacturer, Chameleon Carts and put into
storage this year.  Paid $54,000 new.  Title included.  Buy now to open by
Spring Season!

Trailer Specs List

Exterior & Interior Walls
8W x 14L x 8H
100% Aluminum Rivetless Sides
Black Exterior Color
60″ Window Safety Glass
Flush Mount Flip-Up Curb Side Awning with Gas Shocks
24″x36″ Emergency Exit on Hitch Side of Trailer
FRP White Wall Covering
Slope Style Roof
(2) 4′ Double Bulb Fluorescent Shielded Lights w/switch
Screened Windows
Serving Window 14″ x 15″ w/screen
Insulated
36″ Entrance Door w/Screen Lock and Keys
Window Locks
(2) Non-Powered Roof Vents Installed
Exterior Shelf, Flip-Up
(2) Menu Boards for Left and Right Sides of Front Window, Bottom Skirt
Interior Wall Shelves

Tires
4 ST 205/75/15
Double Axle Dexter 3500 Lbs w/Easy Lube
All DOT Light Package
(2) 5/16″ Ball Coupler w/Removable Hitch and Tongue Dolly
(4) Scissor Jacks

Electrical
20 Amp GFI Receptacles
100 Amp Balanced Service Panel w/Main Disconnect

Floor & Wall Structure
16″ O.C. Alum Hat Channel Studs
24″ O.C. Floor & Ceiling

Equipment
All NSF Equipment
Equipment Siliconed to Wall
8″ Legs
Towel Dispenser
Soap Dispenser
Fire Extinguisher

Plumbing
Sink System (3) Compartment w/Hand Sink (Pump, Hot Water Heater, Faucets)
50 Gal Fresh Water Tank
78 Gal Grey Water Tank

Equipment
Wire Shelving
Potable Water Inlet
(2) Counter Top Warmers, without Covers
(2) Food Prep/Storage Tables (Steel)
Single Door Upright Freezer
Single Door Upright Cooler
Air Conditioner w/Heat Strip (15,000 BTU)

For Sale By:
Rob Sigmon
Program Director
i9 SportsR – West Arapahoe County
9668 Silverberry Circle
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Office Phone: 303-470-9698
Fax: (303) 284-8827
Website: www.i9sports.com
Email: rsigmon@i9sports.com

Hot Dog Cart Chip Clips Contest

UPDATE: Contest closed.

Here we go again. Best caption wins a free pair of hot dog cart chip clips.

Enter your caption in the comments below. Contest ends, oh… sometime on Sunday evening I guess.

I will announce the winner in Monday’s issue of HDCN.

Let’s have some fun, but remember – keep it clean folks. This is a G rated blog.

-Steve

Indoor Hot Dog Vending.

I know what I know. I also know what I don’t know, and I don’t know much about indoor hot doggin’. I want to cover this topic but to be honest with you, I’ve never done it myself. I was always outdoors.

Have any of you vended indoors, perhaps in a mall? How difficult was it dealing with mall management?

How about converting a gas cart to electric heat? How would you go about it?

What else am I missing here? Help me out.

Please leave any indoor vending tips, tricks, secrets, answers to the above questions in the comments below.

Thanks!

-Steve

Cops Don’t Eat Chicago Style Hot Dogs

In Monday’s story, “The Dog Dealers”, Susan told us that the city prohibited poppy seed buns because the seeds attract pigeons which presumably are a nuisance in downtown Phoenix.

I got several comments stating that poppy seeds can cause other problems. Apparently they can cause a person to test positive for drugs. I had heard that too but never knew if it was true or just an urban legend.

So I went to Snopes.com, the myth busters of the internet to get the straight scoop.

Here’s what I found: Continue reading “Cops Don’t Eat Chicago Style Hot Dogs”

The Dog Dealers

picture-2

Dear Steve – here is a picture of our Chicago Dog as promised, we do not use a poppy seed bun as we are located near all of the city, county, state and federal courts and the facility people feel the “seeds” could call pigeons!?!?! People are raving about our dogs – I will also include a couple pictures of us and from our corner! This is the real downtown deal!

Susan has over 20 yrs. of experience in the culinary world. She Continue reading “The Dog Dealers”

Hellacious Hot Dogs – Happy Halloween!

Just south of Kathleen, on Kathleen Road, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., most any day of the week, you’re likely to see an unusual hotdog stand. Retired power plant engineer Jim Belcher, at center, owns “Hellacious Hot Dogs”. The motto on his business card reads “Eat & Rest In Peace”. Jim uses a 1982 Cadillac hearse as his attention getting trademark.

Continue reading “Hellacious Hot Dogs – Happy Halloween!”