You MUST see the pictures of this Hawaiian hot dog cart at the end of the article. You’ll be blown away.
Derek writes,
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Hello Steve,
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so when I visited the Hawaiian Islands a few years back and ate one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever had at a small local restaurant, in the back of my mind I always thought, “How awesome would it be to do something similar, but put it on a mobile cart?” I always had the idea festering in the back of my mind, but never acted on it because I thought a hot dog cart couldn’t be very profitable.
After many years, my brother finally said, “You should just do it.” I did a little bit of homework and was surprised at just how lucrative a business like this could be.
I put all my ideas onto paper. I knew exactly how the cart should look, what the menu should be, etc… Then I went out to see how much I could have a cart like this built for. I was getting quotes for anywhere from $20,000 – $30,000 dollars! I about fainted.
Undeterred, I figured, “I’m pretty creative and handy. I’ll just build it myself.” I spent countless hours researching online and finally came across your website, www.HotDogProfits.com. I purchased your EZ Built Hot Dog Cart videos, the EZ Built Metal Secrets video and your Carts of Cash book. If it wasn’t for all of your videos, books, blog and website, I don’t know if I could have done all this.
Well, here it is! I just recently finished the construction of my cart and ever since it feels like I’ve been running nonstop.
Everything on this cart is custom built, from the frame on up. I live in California and operate near the beaches of San Diego. The health codes here are extremely strict and I had to provide so many additional features such as commercial refrigerator, Plexiglas food compartment and many more.
After fabricating four prototypes, I finally designed a spike toaster that could be ran off of propane and maintain a constant 275 degrees to toast our buns. I then had to find a manufacturer that was NSF certified to make restaurant / food grade equipment.
Long story short, this cart was definitely a labor of love. It took almost a full year to construct, but with only three weekends under our belt so far, the blood, sweat and some painful tears where all worth it.
People love our Hawaiian style hot dogs, they love the look of the cart and we’ve already been asked by multiple people to cater their private parties, which should be a lot of fun. I’ve even been asked by other vendors if I could build them a cart.
Here’s how our menu goes:
1. Grab a soft, freshly baked Hawaiian Sweet bread loaf that’s been toasted from the inside out.
2. Choose your favorite Hawaiian tropical fruit relish
• Coconut
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Banana
3. Add a flavorful Secret Garlic Sauce
• Mild
• Spicy Jalapeno
• Hot Habanero
4. Squeeze in some mustard
• Pineapple mustard
• Yellow mustard
5. Throw in a big 1/4 lb all beef hot dog
6. Enjoy with your favorite flavor Hawaiian Sun and a bag of Hawaiian Brand kettle chips.
It’s so freakin good!!
Steve, thanks so much for always responding to all my emails so quickly and I’ve also got to thank my dad who made the long trip from central California to our house, multiple times to help me get this thing started and my wife and kids for motivating me to keep going when things got stressful.
Derek
Hawaiian Hot Dog Co.
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Derek, I simply don’t know what to say…
Impressed. Blown away. Thing of beauty. These phrases don’t do it justice. This has to be the new King of the E-Z Built Hot Dog Carts.
It’s very humbling to see what you have accomplished with our video and plans set and I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and answering your questions as they came up. I knew you were up to something big, but I had no idea how big until I saw your pictures!
I always say, “Don’t sell a hot dog – sell an experience.” Derek, you knocked that one out of the park too! Your bamboo cart body covering, tiki decorations, island feel, colors, signage – even your coordinated chips and drinks give the customer a seamless Hawaiian Island mini vacation every time they come to your cart. Home run buddy!
Please keep me posted as you grow your new business and let me know how else I can help you!
-Steve
Click the pictures below for a larger view.
That’s…..really amazing….that is….wow is all that comes to mind.
WOW! Now, that is a nice setup. Plus your cartering to the locals and the tourist! I wish you all the best of luck. I hope you do real well. Nice ideas on the relishes too! 🙂
Hi Derek, Great looking hot dog cart keep up the good work.!!!! The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day that your life really begins.”
that. is. awesome. period.
I had a similiar idea with mango-onion slaw relish, the sweet and salty thing! It looks like you will do really well, and good luck!!!!!:)
Thanks for sharing your great ideas and concepts. I wish you all the best and keep us all posted on how it all works out, by the way get his web site info and start up it is great and easy to do and you have a lot to show off
Jim
Thanks Jim, glad you like our free website service!
Awesome job Derek. There is a guy here in the Orlando area that has a trailer who is doing something similar. They call themselves Kona Dogs I believe. You have the right idea in selling higher priced products. it takes a lot of $3.00 hot dogs to make any decent money no matter how good a location you have. I believe your cart and product would be a huge success at fairs and festivals. It’s much easier when your playing to a crowd of several thousand people. Best of luck to you and keep us informed of your progress. dickcharron@tampabay.rr.com
Nice Derek!! How do you move that thing?? I also sling hot dogs in SD. Here is my website: http://www.bullseyehotdogs.com My Uncle in law made it for me. Good luck Bruddah, it looks awesome!
Bullseye,
Nice website! When I built the cart frame, I incorporated a detachable tongue. When the cart is in use, I just pull a couple of pins, detach the tongue and store it up under the cart body where it is out of site and out of the way.
Would you mind if I sent you an email? We’re both in SD and it would be cool to know some of the other vendors out here.
Take Care!
Derek
A-LOOOOOOOOOO-HA! And WOW! I can see you going to some very lucrative places with that theme! That’s something I would expect to see at the classiest places like Disney world outside the Tiki room, or any amusement park with a similar theme! Steve’s right, you knocked this one out of the park! That’s just too, too classy to do anything but make you rich! By the way, I agree with everyone else. Go with the website startup from Steve. You can see my results at http://www.lakesidelunch.com
I made the site myself under his instructions, but he got the setup going for the subscriptions. Love ya, Steve. Best of the future to you, Derek!
Thanks Robin!
I hate to get right to the point, if you build this cart yourself, how much do you think that you would have to spend? Excellent cart and marketing on your behalf.
Stop! Seriously, you are making the rest of us look bad! Really though, you hit it outta the park with that one. Love the ipad/square set up, looks great! Incidentally our first concept was to do puka dogs but could never figure out the heated spike set up. I would wholeheartedly agree with getting Steve’s team to build the website for you. We are absolutely thrilled with ours. http://www.streeteatstn.com if you want to see what ours looks like. I’d say good luck but you don’t need it! Congrats!
Hi Sam,
I loved the idea of the spike toaster. I searched for months to try and find out where to buy them or to find plans on how to build them. I found some that you could buy, but they were all ran off of electricity and I needed propane. I spoke to expert fabricators and drew so many plans and finally after four prototypes I finally figured out how to get the spikes to maintain a constant 275 degree temperature using propane. Then I had to get the device NSF certified for use.
It’s a long, long process, but I think the marketing aspect of it is worth it.
I’m sure theres got to be another propane heated spike toaster somewhere, but I certainly haven’t found it.
Thanks!!
Nice job on that Hot Dog Cart, Derek. I saw some trailer light in one of the pictures, how do you tow this thing?
Hi Dutch,
When I built the trailer frame, I built it so that the tongue is completely detachable. When I’m using the cart, I detach the tongue and store it up under the cart, completely out of site and out of the way.
Derek
WOW!!! Doesn’t even begin to describe the cart!! Job well done!! I can see why it took you a year to build it, but, looks like it was all worth it!! As Steve said, taken cart building to a whole new level!! Congrats on the cart. I’m sure you’ll do really well with it.
Steve & Debbie
Thanks Steve & Debbie!
I sincerely appreciate it!
Derek
WOW! Thanks everyone for all the positive comments. It means a lot.
For the last year and a half I’ve been addicted to hotdogprofits.com and everytime I read the postings and look at the pictures of all your fantastic new creations, it just motivated me to get this thing done so I could go sling some dogs.
Honestly, I couldn’t wait for the day that I could send Steve my finished pictures.
Thanks everyone!!
This is great. Love the bun warmer. I saw the place that this was modeled on on the travel network. Great job. Wish you a lot of luck but I am sure you will do great with this. Makes my cart look like, never mind. Great job.
Impressive, Very Impressive !!! Good luck.
I would have had a stroke building your cart and dealing with the Health Dept !!!
WOW !!!
Bruce of ” Bruce’s Hot Dog Cartel “.
Awesome cart, very innovative! I’m very interested in the NSF certification you had to get, as I’m a little further up the coast. I’d love to hear from you.
dogeatdogcatering@gmail.com
Ben
Puka Dog!!!!!!!!! Fantastic! What a cart!
What a sweet looking cart. Those dogs sure do look good. Good Luck!!
If you’re ever in the San Diego area stop by. They are very tasty!
Thanks for the comment!
I like the cart. What type of trailer did you use?
Hi Della,
The trailer is completely custom. I drew out the plans and then had to find someone approved and certified through the DMV to build permanent/ highway certified trailers.
Turns out that in the area I’m at there was only one guy certified to weld up the trailer. It was quite the process finding him.
Thanks for the comment!
Wow….simply amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just like your E-Z Built cart -amazing!
Nice job Derek. Could you please give more info on your toasting spikes. Where did you acquire the NSF certified spikes and how does your system work. Thanks
Send info to Kevin Bishop post office box 2755 walnut creek,ca. 94595 thanks
Nice job Derek,
We love the original Puk* Dog on Kauai, & think your idea bringing it to the mainland is a great idea, especially SoCal San Diego. Good luck.
Aloha, Derek
Im from Maui but was impress with your cart. Do you make your own buns. Or order it from a bakery
Hello,
I’m looking for a home hotdog bun spike toaster.
Does anyone know where to find one?
Thanks
I do not, sorry. All the ones I’ve seen have been custom fabricated.
Derek
Where can I get sauces from
I think the sauces were made from his own recipes.