Today we have a good question from a Hot Dog Cart News reader, plus a picture from yesterday’s slingin’.
Hi Steve,
I have been reading a lot of the information on here. I have been thinking about possibly doing this business. My question is though is how do you find the places to sell at?
My other question is what about the winter?? Because I live in NJ where it gets cold. I would need to be selling at least 6 days per wk. I do not want to do this just on the wknd’s. I want to do it during the week also.
Don’t want to invest in something like this unless I know where I would be selling. Thank you for any advise/help you can give.
Ilyse
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Hi Ilyse,
You don’t have to have the perfect location to start. One of the great things about the hot dog biz is that you have wheels under your cart. That means you don’t have to worry about getting the perfect location on the first try. You can keep moving around until you find that “money” spot.
Compare that to starting a brick and mortar restaurant which requires you to nail your location right off the bat – you only get one shot at it. I don’t like those odds.
I wrote an article a while back that shows you how to get the best hot dog cart locations. You can read it here:
As far as winter hot doggin’ goes, it can be very profitable. Hot food sells even better in the winter that it does in the summer. Makes sense, right?
As long as you dress for the weather you can sling dogs all year ’round. I personally hate cold weather so I don’t go out when the temps fall below 50 or so. Call me a wimp… Fortunately here in Missouri we get plenty of days that above that even in January.
I hope this helps you in your decision!
-Steve
P.S. Here’s a beauty 1/4 pound chili dog I made for a customer yesterday (click it for a larger view). Not slingin’ today though – storms moving through.
That is a great looking dog.
Thanks Ed!
Steve,
Do you put the 1/4 lb on a regular size Hot Dog Bun? Sam’s only has regular buns and a sort of different from a Hot Dog Bun called a Gourmet Bun that’s a bit larger.
Thanks again Steve,
Boo Hargis
Yes I put it on a regular size bun. It’s a great visual with the dog sticking out both sides.
Thats a great looking dog Steve. I have tried using the dried onions they love it.i have a guy that says he likes sweet and sour so he has me put peppers, kraut, relish. Says its awesome. I wouldn’t know lol. I love being in my little 14′ trailer it gets me out of the rain and sun. So I can be 7 day a week. Any weather. You do such an awesome job Steve for all of us. Cant thank you enough.
Sweet and sour, hmmm…. I think I just found a new signature dog for my menu, thanks Debbie!
Glad all is going well for you in your snug and cozy trailer! 😉
When I lived near Buffalo NY in the late 90’s I ask a couple of street vendors on the corner in both Buffalo and Rochester. Some of them said they made $50,000 in the summer and went to Florida for the winter.
I havn’t finished my cart yet. I live in Oregon right now. I need to go some were else as the inspector told me even if I only bought what I need for the day I would still have to have commissary to store my dry goods in and a location to setup before I even apply for my permit. She has a list of commissaries but wont give it to me.
The Town however doesn’t require a permit and the lady said our only regulations is no setting up on city property you have to have permission from the property owner. That parts relatively easy.
The town I was in in Arizona the city rules are the same except for requiring a permit but the county says I only have to have a commissary if I keep my dogs over night and I can setup on any county road were its safe to pull over. So I may go back there to do it.
A commissary can be any health department inspected and approved kitchen. It can be in a restaurant, bar, church, bakery, VFW hall, etc. Try some of those places and tell them you’ll advertise for them on your cart, flyers, etc in exchange for a commissary agreement. It’s a win-win.
“Try some of those places and tell them you’ll advertise for them on your cart, flyers, etc in exchange for a commissary agreement. It’s a win-win.”
GREAT IDEA!
What city in oregon r u in Marty. Im in oregon also.i got one pretty easy. Let me know i’ll c about going around that commissary. Some countys here in oregon r easier than others. I have been to alot of counties here from north to south. I live in the middle. So dont give up yet and move away.
Hi Steve,
One thing I have to mention about winter slinging; drain your waterlines every night! I thought all the freezing was over and got caught off guard with a frost LAST WEEK here in CT. It loosened one of my fittings just enough that the hot waterline blew out of it’s fitting yesterday. I managed to fix it, but it’s something to consider. Had a great day today, and glad to see I’m not the only one who won’t operate in the rain. The napkins and straws tend to get very soggy. 🙂
LOL! Thanks for the great input Robin!
One thing I am learning about locations as I am still starting out is that different counties have different restrictions on mobile vending locations. I think it is to help protect brick and mortar operations that are worth more in tax revenue for the city. Many popular streets in my city are off limits for mobile vending or 100 ft within. Loop hole, find a shop with a parking lot on these streets and rent from them.
Yep.
RE: Do you put the 1/4 lb on a regular size Hot Dog Bun? Sam’s only has regular buns and a sort of different from a Hot Dog Bun called a Gourmet Bun that’s a bit larger.
Thanks again Steve,
Boo Hargis
Boo you need to go up to the deli area, where they sell hot dogs and ask them the price of the big buns per case. They will give you a price and sell them to you.
Enjoy
samshotdogsplus Colorado – I learned that from another dogger at Sam’s he buys then for his brats.
You can always go into an enclosed trailer for the cold months.
Again the main concern is the lines freezing. If you have a heated garage to park in @ night it could work out for you. We close for the cold season.
I like the go to Florida in the winter idea very much !!!!
Great lookin dog Steve !! Stay close to the shelter mate !!
Be safe, we be thinking bout ye matey !!
1St Mate Jim.
Aaaaargh!
Man…you made me drool all over my keyboard.
Fine lookin chili dog steve! care to share your chili brand? we use wolf brand or a chili from los angeles called “dolores” brand. Im giving you slingers up north a “snowbird” alert. after it hit 90 degrees here in Arizona there all coming back home to you. They have been eating my hot dogs for 5 months. dont let anyone tell you seniors have a special diet. they love hot dogs!
I use a canned chili as a base (no beans) then jazz it up some. I’ll take your snowbirds Jeff. Send ’em to St. Louis!
One thing that I ran into Steve, is that every city/ town has different ordinances about vending food carts. My location in Waterbury CT was ‘fixed’, as I had to use one location for my business and if I wanted to change, I had to pay another permit fee ($183) even if for a one night event such as 4th of July. The next town over only allowed food vendors at fairs & community events etc.. While New Haven CT lets you move anywhere for the ($200) permit cost, as long as you are so far from a brick and mortar food establishment & you feed their meters all day long. Other towns have very lax and easy going policies. So, going where the crowds are or counting cars, doesn’t always work. I should have done more town for town checking, rather than staying close to home to make it work.
Yes, everywhere is different for sure.
Steve, I love the idea for your chili dog, I think ill try it this week and call it The Chili Cruncher !
Nice!
Am I correct that the theme this week is “How to find a Great Location to Sling”? The type of cart whether enclosed or not, trailer or truck, al have possibilities and down falls. Weather is a consent variable to contend with. But the bottom line is Does the location in question have foot traffic? How much, what days, what time, are all to be considered. Do you want to work days or nights? How much $$ do you need to have. What type of people (demographics) are present to the questioned location. Make a list and check it off. The list always will be moodified, (thats called experience). When do you say yes to paying rent?
Sorry if I have gotten off the subject.
joe
I would say yes to paying rent when it makes sense financially, but I really prefer forging a win-win relationship with the property owner.
Thanks Debbie, I am in Stanfield next to Hermiston in Umatila county. A lady at the health department told me the inspector covers umatila and morrow counties and there is one hot dog cart in each of the two counties but there are taco trucks everywere. I am sure I am not the only one who would like to see another option.