Hot Dog Cart News

Hi Steve,

I really liked Howard’s Coca-Cola nostalgia theme on his E-Z Built hot dog cart.

Question for you though — and anyone else for that matter. In fact, Steve you may want to do a separate thread on this if it hasn’t already been done.

When I get going, up here in Maine, I plan to also do crabmeat and lobster rolls along with hot dogs so a cold container is a must. I’d like to keep it around 34 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

What’s the best container to do that with: Rubbermaid, Yeti or some other?

And what about using re-freezable blue ice packs by Rubbermaid as opposed to cube ice.

Can I successfully monitor that temperature level with a remote wireless temperature gauge?

Any thoughts on keepin ‘em cold would be welcomed by any and all. And again, Howard, as we say up here, that’s a wickard goood-lookin’ cahrt.

A.J.

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My goodness does that look delicious!

This is something I haven’t had to tackle before. Assuming your health department would allow it, how would you keep it cold? Any thoughts slingers?

-Steve

Here’s a great tip from HDCN reader Dane Perelstein. Dane slings dogs at a local ball field and has turned a problem into an asset that builds great PR for his hot dog cart business.

Dane writes: I found a way of  getting rid of extra hot dogs at ball games.

Folks who buy a dog write their name on a ticket. Near the end of the game I call out as many names as there are dogs left. Come on down for your free hot dog.

People love it. We have lots of fun and it builds good customer relations.

Dane Perelstein

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Awsome tip Dane! What a great way to generate interest in your business and build your brand. Thanks for sharing that with us.

-Steve

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

 

For those of you not on my mailing list, I sent this out to my “insiders club” last week and I didn’t want you to miss it. This is the future of hot dog vending. Don’t lose out.

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Hi, I just finished a major presentation on “customer getting” for hot dog cart owners and mobile food vendors.

In it I detail a simple method that very nearly forces customers to buy from you, whenever you want them to. You can watch my presentation right now and learn how to do this in your own business immediately.

If you need to boost your sales fast, you absolutely must see this…

Click here to watch the presentation.

See you over there,

-Steve

This is really cute…

Hi again, Steve,

I just had to write again and let you know what’s going on.  Seems every day is something new and exciting. 

Today there was a little boy who very much wanted a hot dog with VERY MUCH relish on it!  He LOVES relish. 

His mother told me he made a sandwich the other day with relish, mustard and green beans.  When I told him that actually sounded good, he curled up his little 4 year old nose and said, “NO! It was disgusting!” 

My brother commented that he must love his veggies and again, he said NO, I hate ’em!  This is when it got real cute. 

I asked him if he knew what relish was made of, and he said no.  “CUCUMBERS!”  Well, he looked like he was about to cry, so I said I was just kidding.  It’s really made out of pickles.  “OH, that’s ok then.  I LOVE pickles!”

Robin

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LOL!!!

Like I always say, this is the “funnest” business in the world!

Thanks Robin!

-Steve

One of my E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart customers just send me this photo tutorial on how to build a simple shelf that will work on any hot dog cart. It’s simple and effective and you can view it at the bottom of this article.

You may remember Kevin as the super creative builder of the fantastic Wicked Dogs hot dog cart.  He has a great eye for design and color, and he used some very unconventional materials to make his E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart truly one of a kind.

A quick side note: Now that Kevin has his own restaurant on wheels, he can live anywhere he wants to. Guess what? He’s going to hitch up his Wicked Dogs cart and move back to his hometown. How cool is that?!!!

True freedom awaits. A lot of us get into this business for the fun and great profit potential but an often overlooked aspect is the freedom and location independence that a mobile food business gives you. I don’t know about you but I value my freedom over just about everything else. Living where you’ve always wanted to live and not having to punch a clock working for the man is hard to put a price on.

Case in point: Last weekend I rolled my cart down to a local parade, made $100 an hour for three hours, then rolled on home. It was hot out so I got some ice cream on the way back. Nice afternoon. (Pics and video coming soon.)

OK, back to the photo tutorial. Kevin writes,

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Hey Steve,

I’m attaching some pictures of a little shelf that I made… I know guys have made these before out of metal, etc. but I just made mine out of 2 X 2’s and Luan wood.  Hope your readers can use this tip.

Kevin

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Thanks Kevin! What a great way to get a little more space – something we all struggle with on our carts for sure.

Click on the pictures for a larger version…

 

Hi Steve,

I have a problem with my hot dog cart burners, it burns yellow and soots the pans and firebox badly.

I thought I knew how to adjust the air flow to improve the flame but I am not having much luck. Could you give me a few pointers please?

Also How long should it take to boil a 1/3 6″ pan w/4″ of water in it? Took me more than an hour with my sooty flame!

My cart’s propane is piped in 1/4″ soft copper is that correct? Would there be an improvement if it were to be repiped to a larger 3/8″ Copper?  I have disassembled my two gas valves to clean them (no help).

I must say I am enjoying your E-Z Built hot dog cart and your Hot Dog Biz 101 course. I haven’t been  this excited about something like this for a long time!

Chet Jones

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Hey Chet,

Like anything flammable, propane needs some amount of air mixed with it in order to burn. The mixture is usually preset at the factory but some burners have a mixture adjustment to vary the amount of air that is mixed with the propane before it reaches the burner.

It definitely shouldn’t take that long to boil your water. A yellow sooty flame means your burners are running rich (not enough air in the mix).

Could be a couple of things. First, check the burner rings and make sure they aren’t dirty. Run a small wire through the holes to be sure they aren’t clogged. If they are clean, the next thing would be to light the burners with the pans removed. If they burn blue then it means you aren’t getting enough combustion air when the pans are installed and you need to add a couple more vent holes.

If they are still burning yellow with the pans out, your mixture is rich for sure. If you have a spare tank, swap it with the current one to be sure you just didn’t get a bad tank of propane (it happens). You don’t want to adjust your mixture only to find out that it’s running lean when you hook up a new, good tank of propane.

Your copper gas line may be a bit small. I recommend 3/8 but before you replace it try this. Unhook your gas line and connect the rubber hose from your regulator directly to the burners if possible. If you get a good flame it means the gas line was too small.

If all of the above fails, now is the time to play with your burner mixture adjustment (if you have one) and see if you can get a nice bright blue flame.

The last thing to try would be a new regulator. Use one from your gas grill or borrow a neighbors. You don’t want to buy a new one if it’s not the problem.

I hope this helps Chet!

Any other ideas slingers? Let’s hear them in the comments.

– Steve

Patty Russel from Motors and Music, a premier car and bike show event organizer, contacted me yesterday. She needs a hot dog vendor (or two?) for an upcoming show at the Pontiac Silverdome. I told her I’d post it here.

Patty writes,

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Hi Steve,

I represent Motors and Music.  A big first year festival at the Pontiac Silverdome.  I am in charge of the food vending.  I have all kinds of different food but unable to get a hot dog vendor.  Can you help me?  We are hoping we have 10-15k crowd. The event is Aug 18th.  I know not much time. 

Patty
pmrussel@gmail.com

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Email Patty at pmrussel@gmail.com for more information.

If you get the gig be sure to take some pics and send them to me. I’ll put you in the newsletter!

UPDATE: We found Patty her hot dog vendor less than four hours after posting her request. That’s what happens when you have 7000 subscribers. Thanks for being here slingers, you’re the greatest!

-Steve