“I have had people come up to me and say, ‘I’ve already had dinner, but there’s always room for a hot dog,” Lori Bayliss said during one of the Friday Night Live concerts at Uptown Altamonte.

Bayliss, otherwise known as Dog House Lori, operates a mobile hot dog stand that hitches up to her car as she totes around to various events throughout the area. “It’s completely self-contained,” she said. “It’s very mobile and weighs only 350 pounds, so it can go almost anywhere.” The menu includes hot dogs with a full choice of condiments, chips and a variety of soft drinks. In the winter, cappuccino with real whipped cream and hot chocolate are added to the selections.

As the economy began to worsen last year, Bayliss decided she needed to find a different career. A former real estate agent working on commission, Bayliss realized she  “needed to take a break, before it broke me.”

Bayliss will take Dog House almost anywhere it is needed. Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte is a regular event for her and said that she “loves Cranes and all the wonderful people that work there.” Other venues include farmers markets, worship events, some downtown Orlando events and the professional luncheons that she considers her “day venue.”

Bayliss, a single mom who moved to Orlando from Michigan six years ago, holds real estate licenses in two states and a hotel and restaurant license in Florida. Her son, Spencer, usually helps his mom and sometimes brings a friend.

“This venture has added so many experiences and relationships that he never would have had,” she said. “He truly enjoys these events and earns some great money too!”

You can be assured you will be greeted with a smile as you approach Lori’s Dog House. It is evident that she enjoys what she does and makes sure the customers walk away satisfied – hot dog in hand. “It’s very cute,” Bayliss said. “Everyone loves my cart!”

Hot Dog Lori may be contacted at lbayliss@cfl.rr.net.

original story at Orlando Sentinel