Hey Steve,
Thanks for getting back to me about the EcoTemp Hot Water Heater. I think that will be my next upgrade to my cart.
I got into the business back in the Fall of 2009 after being out of work for 18 months. While I didn’t build my cart on my own I have been following your Newsletter since I started investigating owning/operating a hot dog cart. I ended up buying a used TopDog Cart and have been very happy with it.
I started selling on our local campus, Mon-Fri but had to switch that strategy when I got a full-time job as I found it difficult to sell during the winter months. Now I operate seasonally, April – December, Sundays on the local bike trail, at festivals, and home games on campus. I also have started doing corporate catering as well.
When I am ready for cart #2 I will look to your hot dog cart plans as I now know what I would like in my next rig.
Thanks for all you do for us “hot-doggers”
Joel Miller
Kaimelsky’s
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Very nice rig Joel (see pics below), and what a great location!
New readers may not be aware of this but part time is a great way to go in the dog biz. If you do it right, you can make as much money slingin’ dogs on the weekends as you do in your “real” job.
It’s a great way to start, and you don’t necessarily EVER have to go full time if you don’t want to.
It’s also great insurance against the current shaky job market. If you get the axe on Monday, you can fire up the cart and be making money on Tuesday.
As Carl Spackler said in Caddyshack, “So I’ve got THAT going for me… which is nice.”
-Steve
P.S. Part timers – tell me what you’re up to in the comments!
Click the picture for a larger version.
Cart looks nice!
I part time thru the summer (23) days this year for selling the doggies. My first three days brought in about 1100. Some of the festivals I have are ones where I am the only vendor able to sell dogs. One has asked me to do double time a Saturday A.M. and then moving to the band area at nite to sell . Then back in the A.M. to finish out the Sunday. I always say that food vending is not for the faint of heart. It will be a 16 hour Saturday and a 8 hour Sunday. Then back to work cooking on Monday. All at the young age of 62. Everyone I talk to seems all a vendor does is drive up put a flame on boil some dogs and pass em out. Even someone in the family thought it was a rip to try and make 70% profit for not doing much work.
I think just stand by me on your feet for one weekend. My 4th gig is 5 to 12 then 12 to 12 then 10 to 12 then 5 to 10 I also have to load and unload my cart each day since the free space is only when the business is closed. Plus i will have work two of those days. But, everyone going from the beer tent to the other band stage has to go by me!!!
I wish all doggers sold out days this summer.
Jerry
Nice looking cart.
And, if you like people, it’s a great way to meet them and have fun.
Wow…
Joel, I’m missing that Top Dog! What’s unsatisfactory about it? I know I had some quibbles with the pilots and sharp edges…
I have the ECOTEMP L5 too and it works great, remember that in the winter it will freeze so drain it completely… I have found that the easiest way to drain the unit is to remove both in and out lines at the unit. I also do the hotdog business parttime but enjoy it. I agree with Steve you have a nice cart, enjoy it and always make it fun.
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
top dog carts are very nice. the best thing you can do is install a eccotemp water heater they work very well, looks like you have a good area too set up in. good luck
Joel,
Good Luck with the Second Cart
The eco temp actually has a drain valve that you remove that will get ALL of the water out of it. Look in your manual to find it.
Wanda
Great looking cart, good luck. Get that eco temp, it’s worth it.
Hey keep slingin dem dogs dogsbrother.
When I installed my L5, I plumbed in drain valves and plumbed everything to go down hill from the faucets, to the L5, to the end of the faucet drains. This seems effective. Yes there is a drain screw. After draining all the water thru the drain faucets, the drain screw yielded only 1 drop. I think my valves will work well.
Now that’s one Bad A** looking rig! Steve the recomended builder program on the home page is an awesome idea! Can’t beat this forum for information. It’s second to none!!!!!!
Thanks Bravo!
-Steve
There’s three compartments one under grill one with my fresh water and gray water as well as a compartment with my pump and battery