Enjoy the hot dog cart video and pictures at the end of this article.
Hot Dog Profits Premium Member Dale Schroeder of Reno Nevada just built his second E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart and will soon be building a third to add to his fleet!
You’re going to love the pictures and video cart tour that he just sent me.
Dale writes…
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Hi Steve, just wanted to share a little more with you on my newest E-Z Built hot dog cart. During construction of my second cart I took the opportunity to add some “extras” that really help me and the business. Here are a few photos to share if you like.
This cart is quite the money maker for me. The folks love the hot dogs,friendly service and the bright red hot dog cart. Kids can’t look away!
Thanks again for the inspiration to help my wife and I succeed in our Lucky Dawg hot dog business.
I look forward to building my third cart with your plans and I already have some fun things in mind for that one!
Your fellow hotdawger,
Dale Schroeder, HDP Premium Member
Lucky Dawg Hot Dogs, Reno
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Awesome job Dale!!!
Your E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart really attracts attention. The bright red color stands out and the hot dog signage is totally cool.
I absolutely love your fold down table and how you utilized the cut out for the water heater – genius! I can see why you are so successful my friend.
Let’s hear it for Dale in the comments, slingers.
-Steve
P.S. If you have any questions about building your own hot dog cart out of locally available hardware store parts like Dale did, I’d love to speak with you. Feel free to call me at 636-399-2460.
Click the pictures below for a larger view.
Great job dale….I especially like the red color on the cart!
Candy Apple Red! I wanted to be as bright red as possible.
Nice job Dale and I love your cart !!! I originally wanted to move to Reno and start a cart about six or seven years ago, but you beat me to it.
I will be out there May 16th to the 19th to Bowl the USBC tournament and you can bank on some business from me and some chit chat. Didn’t you say your a dealer out there ? What casino if you don’t mind my asking ?
See you in May for some food and conversation.
Bruce of ” Bruce’s Hot Dog Cartel “.
It was the Eldorado, lucky for me I don’t have to deal in the smoke laden casinos for now. They demand too much of my time during the summer. I just deal the dogs now….and everybody is a winner! You will see me by the “Arch” on Saturdays and by the courthouse weekdays.
You not only make awesome hot dogs (I visited Bruce and tried them), you are a tournament bowler? What can’t you do Bruce?
One of the best things about Steves EZ-built cart is, you built it and you can fix or modify it yourself. You don’t have to take it to someone and have them do the work. Steve was a genius coming up and making this video !!! The feeling of accomplishment and seeing the finished product and knowing I built it was Great !!
It also was fun and I want to build another one !!!
Bruce.
You did a great job Bruce!
Great job, I can see why you do great. Thanks for video and may your lives be Blessed in the future
Jim
Thanks Jim and thank you for the blessing.
Wondering why every cart I see you cook dogs on one side and condiments are on the other. Do you only do condiments when slow? And when busy leg the customer do it when busy? Very cool cart I can’t wait to get mine going. Getting all my permits and schooling finished up very soon.
Thanks again for everything Steve. Had a guy Saturday tell me that after seeing my cart he wished he had of built one (with your plans) instead of buying one from
a manufacturer.
That’s cool. It sure saves you a lot of money and more importantly we designed it from the beginning to be customized. You can build exactly the cart you want with the features and equipment you need. I think that is what I like best about the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart.
Click here to see hundreds of photos of customer E-Z Builts. As you can see, almost every one is customized in some way.
Awesome cart, love the color……..mine was originally the same color before I covered in stainless steel. I really like the napkin dispensers, would love to get a hold of a couple myself. As for the signs, that’s very creative, I love it. By the way, you mentioned that you are in the process of building your 3rd cart, mind if I ask who mans you second art? I have a hard time finding good help around here, heck my own family doesn’t want to help out with the business! They just don’t see the big picture, oh well! Anyway, I wish you much success! Esteban
I remember old rojo!
Hey Steve, my last inspection the health inspecter was telling me that he had come across a few folks asking him about mobile units, whether its better to build or buy a new cart. He always tells them about my cart and how well it was built! Thanks to you and your hot dog cart plans, I’ve set the standards on home built carts in my county!
That’s too cool Stevie! You are a policy setter!!!
Great lookin cart matey !! I like the fold down table & storage.
Ye gota have a dog sled. They are invaluable whan you need extra hands. Arrggg me hates losing one overboard !
Love the color. My 85 Harley is the same color. ( Yes Steve, I am on occasion a land lubber. ) Looks like you Arrrggg doin well Dale !! Har har harrrrr !!! Thanks for the video
!st Mate Jim.
Aye, I pegged you fer a scooter-boy. Send me a pic of your ride swab!
“The average man will bristle if you say his father was dishonest, but he will brag a little if he discovers that his great-grandfather was a pirate.”
Arrrggg!
Great set up! How long do you keep your buns in the steamer? If I go too long, they get soggy.
Unlike my dog, hot dogs do not swim well. Thank you for all the compliments!
Third cart will not be until next winter. When it is cold outside I will be in my garage working on it.
Very Nice! I love that table in the front–er back? Nice!
Grawwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How did you pass inspection and get licensed with only one sink?
My county doesn’t require any sinks at all, just a jug of water, soap and paper towels. I have a sink with hot and cold water on my E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart anyways. The requirements vary by location, and even by inspector within any given location.
Nice video, Dale. I may have convinced Ma Dutch that we really need to do a dawg cart. We were at my grandsons Lacrosse tournament last Friday and Saturday and the only food vendors there were vending for a horse show. I know if I had a cart there on the field, we could have made a bunch of money. I just gotta go through the gallery again and pick out the features that I like and design my layout.
As for the tournament, the grandson’s team went 4-0 in tournament play and won the Junior Varsity Championship 14-5.
Congrats on your grandson’s win! Let me know if you need any help with your build. I’m always here to get you over any bumps as they arise Dutch. Say “Hi” to Ma Dutch for me!
You Lucky Dawg, you! What a cart! I especially like (of all things) the big thermometer on the cart. But around here, when it gets too hot all I sell is drinks. How is it out there? I love all the signage on the cart. Somehow it makes it look real professional. It would appeal to me as a customer.
@David, as Steve said, requirements vary all over the place. In CT they can vary not only from county to county, but town to town and even between one cart and another! In one town here they require four sinks AND they want the vendor to be sure he can provide a bathroom for the customers! In my town, if it’s a walk in cart, serving from the inside you need all four sinks. A push cart like mine only needs one to wash hands and one for utensils. Go figure.
Good Luck very effecient and very clean hot dog cart
IMPRESSIVE OR SHOULD I SAY VERY IMPRESSIVE………………………
Great looking cart. Great location. Good luck.
Great job on the cart. All you need now is a minature crap table and roulette table.
Good luck !
Larry…. Buns ‘n the Sun Arizona
“Minature crap table and roulette.”
Pure awesomeness Larry!
i like the front shelf,wondered how i was gona hid my hitch,another project.grate job.
If you build it, they will come! And, my friend, you really know how to build a hot dog cart! Too many good ideas to comment on. I’m a compulsive organizer … everything has its’ place and looks like you thrive on that too. Well organized. You’ve done everything to make selling hot dogs E-Z ….and what a location! I wish you well. Richard
Just a side note … used to ski a lot around Lake Tahoe as a young man and loved Reno back in the 70s-80s. Was a little jewel back then. I’ll bet it’s still great! Rich
Nice job on the construction and the decoration. I sold my Top Dog cart last summer and miss the fun. Some very nice touches on the cart. Hmmmm. Might have to hit up Steve for some plans. I think once you’ve worked a manufactured cart, you realize that everyone works a cart differently and those personal preferences become the driving force behind building your own. Again great job.
Great points. I think you captured the exact idea that I had in mind when I designed the E-Z Built. Total customization potential. When ever you’re ready to get started, I’m ready to help!
Thanks again everyone! To answer a few questions.
I did build the cart knowing where I would be setting up and made most decisions based on that. (sink location, umbrella placement, etc…)
The table was needed to keep folks from tripping on the hitch.
If it gets over 90 business does drop off a bit, although drinks sales go up.
I keep my buns perfect by keeping the steam lid cracked after the buns are perfect.
When I put in fresh buns I just close the lid. I hardly ever use the very bottom buns.
Health dept says okay to one sink as long as I keep clean, wrapped backup utensils for serving hot dogs and condiments. Grill can have no raw food on it. (Bacon, sausages, etc..)
Don’t forget to visit my Facebook page. facebook@LuckyDawgReno
What a great looking cart, the best of luck. Steve has helped a lot of people, he’s the best.
Great job Dale! I was salivating all the while viewing it. I think you have definitely found your niche. I’m envious of the 94 F weather.
Thanks, I sure had fun building it.
My new spot downtown Reno sure is a winner.
I love being right by the Arch.
Dale,
Congrats, bro, you’ve finally got you business going full on. Good for you getting out of the smokey casinos.
Probably should keep in touch more. I’m bad at that..
Love you,
Belinda
Wow, that gave me a few more innovative ideas. Thanks guys. I need to head back to Reno soon!
Super Nice! Thanks for sharing- makes me hungry for a couple dogs- lol
Very cool!! I go to Reno often; next time I come over I’ll definitely stop by!!
After almost two years (mostly wrestling with local regulation obstacles) I’m on the bleeding edge of getting started in my own cart. Just waiting for my local county health department to finish rebuilding their offices and open back up for inspection. I’m looking forward to it; the graphics guy who did my wrap commented, “I should charge you extra for advertising – people walking by on the street when I was doing your wrap stopped and said, “Oh, wow – a hot dog cart!! Where are they going to be??” I told them I didn’t know… but I’m sure you’re going to have a lot of fun with this thing!”
-Matt
Very cool. Send me pics of your cart when the wrap is on it!
Steve
The Cart displayed above is one from your design. I have looked at this design and would like to ask,. how many dogs drinks and chips can be served in an hour. Please do not have your vendors reach over the hot area to get a item in the cooler…..not good design! The dog sled is in the wrong position if you are planning on doing any kind of volume. Trying to keep all of the tiny containers from running out takes away from putting product out. Form follows function always.
joe
If you use all pans for heating dogs (no bun steaming) you could heat at least 36 frozen dogs to 145 degrees every six minutes. That makes 360 dogs per hour. More than you could serve by yourself. As for the cooler, it’s location is fine. I’ve worked my own E-Z Built cart for years and reaching over the steam table is a piece of cake. The heat when the steamers are closed is negligible. If you weigh 400 pounds it might be an issue, lol. I keep my dogs in a separate cooler and the customers grab their own drinks from the onboard cooler. It works flawlessly.
Steve how old is this link ?
Pretty old, ha.