I was on vacation recently when I heard an unfamiliar voice call out, “Steve?”
I turned to see a bright red hot dog cart and a pretty face smiling back at me.
“Yes, I’m Steve”, I said.
“Steve from HotDogProfits.com?”
“Yep, that’s me.” I just started laughing because until this moment, no one has ever recognized me on the street. It was kinda weird feeling and kinda neat at the same time.
I introduced myself and asked Marge if I could have a tour of the cart that her husband and son built. It’s really nice as you are about to see.
She even has a signature hot dog. She created what she calls a Twisted Dog. It is cut, seasoned and when grilled it turns into a caramelized, twisting tube steak that hangs off both ends of the bun, Rivera says. Marge also serves steamed dogs, Chicago dogs, New York dogs and Walking Tacos. Chips are the side offering and Coca-Cola products and water can help quench a thirst.
Since she started the Twisted Dawg, Marge has hired five women from her neighborhood who also needed more money to make ends meet. They are all trained to provide friendliness, smiles and good food.
My wife video taped our cart tour and I thought you might like to see it. Pardon the wind noise at the beginning of the movie, we were on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and it was blowing pretty good…
Thanks Marge, it was a pleasure meeting you, your Twisted Dawg was DELICIOUS and I absolutely love what you’ve accomplished with your hot dog biz! I’m so proud of you.
Let’s congratulate Marge in the comments. She deserves it!
-Steve
P.S. If you want to do what Marge is doing, you need to start where she started – right here.
Click the picture below for a larger view
You rock Marge, great idea with a twist!
Indeed.
Great looking cart and people, what a nice SUPPRISE
Hot dog Jim
It was fun. Thanks Jim!
Steve, yer a big star in a little World.
Hardly. Marge is the star and so are all you slingers!
Right on Marge !! I have yet to bite the Bullet as it were..
But.. I really do think I am going to give it a shot.
I wont know unless I try right ?
Congrats on your success !
Good for you Randy. Let me know how I can help you.
Just like Steve says, “you really need a gimmick and a great location” Good Luck to you and may success come your way!
We’re all just the little baby stars. You’re the big Daddy!
Hey Marge! Love your cart! It looks to be better quality than mine! (OOPS, I hope _____ isn’t reading this.) I love the theme. Bet you do a real knock out business too! All very professional.
Your cart is very nice too Robin. And you’re a pro yourself!
Any cart you have will be a great one, you just have to make it happen.
that was lucky that you meet up with Marge I’m sure you made her day as well as yours, nice looking cart, both of you keep up the great work
It was lucky for me. Marge is really cool.
Wow Marge !! Great cart !! That twisted dog is crazy cool !! Love the idea.
Just imagine spotting a mug like Steve’s in the neighborhood !!
You have a great eye. We are still waiting for Steve to visit us @ Weiners on Water !!
Maybe on your next vacation Steve ?? Arrrrrgggg !!
1st mate Jim.
I’ve never been out east. Sounds wonderful mate! Aye-Aye!
That must have been really cool to run into someone who you have influenced. I am so glad to have purchased yout ezbuild hot dog cart plans years ago. It has been a long journey and I am very close to finishing my cart. I will send you pics as soon as I am done.Thank you Steve fot what you do.
Thank YOU Lawrence! It doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long as you finish. Good job!
Marge, thats an awesome cart and I love the twist on the hot dogs! Steve, you should do a hot dog tour and visit all your followers and make a video journal, I think that would be cool, besides, I’d love to see my my brother from another mother!!
That would be awesome mi hermano!
Great looking outfit! Can you tell us where you got the spiral cutter? I’ve written many times to the only source I know and can’t even get a reply e-mail.
Congrats!
Hey Papa Dave, It’s fairly simple. You skewer your hot dog with a kabob stick and run it all the way through. Then you take a knife and you spin the dog around, letting the knife cut the dog all the way around, until you get to the bottom of the dog. Next you pull out the stick and ta da!!! You have a nicely cut spiral dog!
Thanks Stevie!
The company I bought the cutter from has since gone out of business. I think my husband is going to fabiucate them. I will keep Steve in touch when he does.
Where do you get the twisted dog cutter at??? I like that so I would like to buy one.
The company has gone out of business but see comment above yours. ok?
Nice cart Marge! I’ll bet the inspector liked that vent you have aereating the main cOmpartment! That’s an excellent safety feature KUDOS! Think mine will have one of those very good thinking. Best of luck Marge twisted dog sounds intriguing! 🙂
Yes the County health dept loved it!! Thank you.
Really cool! Nice mods on the cart!
Indeed!
Great cart. Good luck with it. Must have been great to have Steve at the cart.
It was more than AWESOME! I kept saying “Its Steve!” OMG it’s Steve! I couldn’t have been happier. ( oh by the way, His wife is very pretty as his children) don’t think they take after Steve. (tongue in cheek) sorry Steve, Gotta Love you!
LOL!!! Lucky kids.
Great lookin’ cart Marge…..better than mine that I bought from ______!
I like your menu…Steve…everybody…what is everyone serving across the
country and what is everyone charging these days? pricing structure?
My 1/4 lb dogs just went up in price my cost) by 15%. Best time to raise
prices? (my season is coming to a close as it will start pouring rain day in/day out
pretty soon) Guess I wait till next season to raise prices? What ya all think?
Raise your prices now. Test the market so you’ll know what to charge next year.
Hey Congrats Marge! That is one cool looking cart. You and your husband have rocked that one out. I’d love to come see you. Where exactly in Michigan are you located?
Steve, looking dapper in summer attire, very nice! Hope you had a great time in my state, we try to be kind to everyone here :)).
Hey Teri,
This was in St. Joseph, what a beautiful place! Most folks don’t recognize me without my black t shirt 😉
I live in St. Joseph Michigan right on lake michigan. Just come downtown and turn left til you reach the bluff. You will find me there. St. Joe is a quaint beautiful town you will love to visit and return to every year because there is something going on every weekend for family fun!
Great looking cart. I really like the extra space created over the propane tank. Steve nice outfit. You look like a California boy, where we dress like that almost year round.
I love Cali. Wanted to move there 20 years ago but my wife is a born and bred mid-western girl. I was lucky to get her to move west of the Mississippi 40 miles.
Marge,
Wish you the best of luck but I have a feeling you will do GREAT!! You’re a real sweetie and we all know that besides quality products a sweet friendly personality is a must. GO MARGE!!
She is a sweetie!
Steve,
My only regret is that you didn’t show Marge’s cart in more detail. Maybe Marge could send in more pictures (whadayathink Marge? : )
Great idea Mike!
would love to
Awesome cart Marge! Looks like you have a great location too! Best of luck to you!
And Steve, any plans on vacationing in NH, Lake Sunapee area? There is plenty to do and see for the fam!
🙂
I think I need to hit the east coast next year and visit you, Robin, and the rest of my slinger friends on that side of the country. It would be a blast!
Great looking cart! Really cool to have Steve stop by. I’ve been thinking about selling dogs off and on for years. Think I’m going to order Steve’s CDs and try to build a cart. Your cart is really nice.
Hey Gary, call me if you need any help or have any questions. My personal cell number is 636 399-2460. Thanks in advance for your order!
you won’t regret it!
Marge, your cart looks sensational ! Dog looked delicious ! Must have been quite a surprise to recognize Steve. Sorry this comment is so late, my laptop decided to crash and just now catching up! yikes what a pain! ~BobD aka Frank
Thank you, love slinging dawgs!
Looks wonderful Marge. Great idea on the dog.
19 yrs as county employee ready to semi-retire looking at slinging.
Steve love your information and encouragement.
Thanks
I’m ready to help you get started Bruce!
way to go marge!!!! im building my hotdog trailor out of my old popup camper… hope to be slinging soon….i like ur name twisted dogs….mine is dirdy dawgz
Hi Marge! I’m in Michigan too, but in St Clair county (Port Huron) area. Good Luck to you!
Pictures are great and videos are better ! Your cart looks so nice and clean and well organized. Great Job ! All the best to you Marge.
In response to the question, I grill the hotdog buns too, time permitting and the sauerkraut .
Grilled buns are awesome. I remember a place in West Virginia when I lived there as a kid. They grilled the hot dog buns and I thought that was the best thing ever!
I know its alot of work but I saw a guy making those twisted dogs once and he slid small stick up through the dog and rolled a knife down the dog as he spun it on the stick then slid the stick out and walla!! curly dog!! Really cool! ..nice cart Marge! That hot dog looked awesome! Love your web site Steve getting ready to order your course and try my hand at slinging some dogs over here in the Carolinas Its a big step the area I live is not street vendor friendly but you guys have been giving me some good ideas.
Every place has it’s quirks as far as getting approved as a street vendor. Just be nice, ask the person in charge what you need to do, and never give up. You can do it!!!
Looking good Marge!
Can your share your secret what you are using to cut dawg to make the twist?
Al Alvord
Weenie Dawgs
Grand Rapids, OH 43522