When you run a hot dog cart you meet all kinds of people. That’s one of the things I really love about selling hot dogs. You never get bored, that’s for sure!
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Hot Dog Profits Premium member Lew Wallace just sent me a picture of his first customer of the day.
Ha! I love it Lew. By the way, that is a GORGEOUS E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart. You did a superb job, especially with the finish. You should be proud!
OK slingers, who was your most memorable customer? Ever serve a hot dog to a celebrity? Tell us about it in the comments…
-Steve
Which one was the customer?
Never though of that… LOL.
Just last Saturday I was working a vintage motorcycle event in Carmel Valley, California and a customer standing in line made his way up to me. Handing him his order, I realized it was Storage Wars tycoon, Barry Weiss. Regular dude, short, unassuming and willing to chat. He spotted a decal on my Cart of Mercury, signifying speed and delivery. He knew immediately its origin which was from a 1950’s Spartan trailer logo. That kicked him into gear and heard some vintage stories that were amusing. Several years ago I had Jay Leno stop at a booth I was manning and he was fun too.
Two cool guys for sure!
Well, we have a lot of celebrities around here who come to my cart. But to pick the most unique, I’d have to say the gentleman from England who was a member of the Queen’s royal horse guard. His job was to play the music at the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace. The Royals begin screening and recruiting when the boys are only 12, and they must be in the top 10 in their class for music and have all top grades. They screen again at 16 and must make the top 5 in music and still be maintaining top grades. They are groomed from the beginning and if selected, it is a lifetime commitment. It turns out he was playing when we were there visiting, and now he was over here retired and visiting my cart!
Wow!
I sell 1/4# nathans which when in the water tend to plump up even more a few years ago a young lady(mid20s) bought dog from me and her only comment was ” I haven’t seen anything that big for a while” I was speechless needless to say. But, it is the one dog of 1000’s I’ve sold that stays in my mind for some reason or other.
“sell em’ all”
I hear lots of weenie jokes too at my cart.
That would be Herbert Thomas .. He got regular hotdog and paid with a $50 bill.. Said keep the change.. Wonderful man he is
NICE!
Yanks,
They both were. The cowboy got his then bought a water for his horse.
Lew
The code enforcers on our police department have been kind of heavy handed on some of the hot dog carts around town causing the rest of us to keep our heads down, trying to stay under the radar. I was really surprised last week when I looked up and saw the Police Chief ride up on a bicycle with the other bicycle police officer. Thanking me for keeping my cart and the area around it so neat and clean. And then proceeded to order, what he heard was the best dog in town.
You must be doing it right Chappy!
I had Robert Hesse stop by the cart for a couple of dogs. Who you say?
He was a contestant on the Hell’s Kitchen program, 2009 I believe.
Robert is the Assistant Executive Chef at the Eldorado here in town.
Robert said he was impressed with my hot dog knowledge and friendly service.
I have another guy who is always trying to trade me something for a hot dog.
Very cool! What kinds of trades is the other guy offering?
We had one of Neil Diamonds roadies come through and the Nebraska football coach Mike Reilly.
Never served a celebrity from a cart but lots of Elena at Country Thunder use to roam the crowds and stop at booth to grab a bite to eat
Cool!
Had a state rep. and senator stop buy at the same time and bought dogs.
“Sell em’ all”
jerry
Awesome – the All American Food and American politics. A great combination!
I serve late night bar rush on a large college campus so you can imagine the amount nonsense I see. Lots of stories but the one that sticks out was a guy who bought a hot dog, we gave him his change. While I fixed his dog, he had gone to the condiment table and proceeded to put all the condiments on his dollar bill as if it was the hot dog. We go to give him his dog and see that he has started to eat his money! After having a good laugh, we corrected his error and replaced his ‘money’ dog with the actual dog. He thanked us by giving us the half eaten, condiment filled dollar bill as a tip. The future leaders of America!
LMAO! Wow, that’s DRUNK!
Steve, you never know who stops by. I had a cistomer that stopped for a hotdog nearly every day. One day we had time to chat. He said he owned the concession for the New York Yankees along with a couple other big league teams. I asked him how our dogs compared to his. He said I don’t know what you are doing to these dogs but keep on doing it, they’re great. He said they were as good or better than what they served at the ballpark and they were getting $8.50 a dog! I sell a 4/1 Nathan’s. He said he started same as me with a cart alongside the road. By the way, he claimed with his 3 teams with a weekend series he averaged about $800,000. The guy walking the park selling averaged $1,300.00 to $1,500.00 a game. Thought you might be interested.
Very inspirational Stan! The only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.
I have had Steven Tyler from AEROSMITH stop by a few times, he keeps his boat at the Marina by the Town Pier and he loves our hot dogs (KAYEMS). He also happens to live in Town and is here quite often in the summer.
SHINETTI’S GRILL, Marshfield, MA
Awesome!
I live in Canada in a town called Terrace in the province of BC. This is my forth season and on my Ts back it says How do you like your wiener?
Fried, Grilled or steamed.
I sell them with my stands name on the front ” And The Wiener Is” hot dog & smokey stand.
Getty Lee from rock band rush is a once a year customer. Visits area for the great salmon, halibut fishing. Getty’s has a Terrace Longdog, that is a custom made 12 inch 6 oz farmer sausage from a local butcher served on a foot long bun loaded. Getty owns one of my Ts. that’s my brush with greatness.
Hey Steve I would include u as a celerbity that purchased something from my stand when you buy a Ts.
Open in a week can’t wait to fill my stocking for the forth year.In a six month season last year I sold just under 6000 Terrace Long dogs and not so long dogs combined. The not so long is half a long dog as I say “easy on inventory”.
I also offer bulldogs, hawgdogs, smokies, 7 inch jumbo hotdogs and pulled pork.
Lloyd
Very cool Lloyd. I love Rush!
I Ran “ HUNGRY DOG” my Hot Dog Cart for several years in Freeport IL. I never served any celebrities, unless you want to include the local Mayor.
I did have a couple customers I do remember though
I had one little girl, who was sheepishly looking at the menu and the cart from behind her Dads leg. After a bit of prodding by him, she finally looked up at me and asked, “Can I have a hot dog, with just ketchup, please?”
I said “Sure, I’ll get that right up for you. … Ah, do you like Bacon?” I asked, “Yes, she replied” I said, “Ok, how about Cheese, do you like cheese too”? Once again Yes, she replied “Would you like to try our Bacon Cheddar Dog?” I asked, “I normally put Ranch Dressing on it, but I can put ketchup on it instead if you like?” At that point her eyes lit up, and her Dad started laughing. “No no” the little girl said. “No ketchup, put on ranch dressing!” “She loves Ranch Dressing on EVERYTHING” her dad said.
The look on the little girls face when I handed her my, best seller, the bacon cheddar dog, was so cute. I think I made a hot dog lover out of her.
Speaking of Hot Dog lovers I had one old man, who hobbled up with his cane and was very intrigued by the cart, the menu and the Lemonade . And said that he had lived in town for 40 years and thought the cart was a great Idea. “I love hot dogs, but I’m not suppose to eat them anymore,” he said, “but give me TWO of your Chicago Dogs with everything, and large Lemonade.” “Oh that’s too bad but, OK good choice,” I replied, and quickly gave him his two huge dogs, which he sat down and ate them pretty quickly. Surprisingly a little while later, he was back and said He absolutely loved the Chicago dogs and now wanted to try Two of my Chili Cheese dogs with extra onions! “OK, Let me get those going for you, and shortly handed him his order. Once again, he sat down and again finished his chili dogs, this time taking a bit longer. About an hour later, sure enough he was back ordering anther Hot Dog, this time it was the Mushroom Swiss dog. I had always loved preparing this dog, as soon as I throw those garlic laced mushrooms on the griddle the smell permeates everywhere, and always results in another order.
I ended up selling the guy, who wasn’t supposed to eat Hot Dogs. FIVE, QUARTER POUND Nathen’s HOT DOGS, in about a four hour time period. He was an interesting customer, but I never saw him again….
I think I may have killed him!
Great stories Leo!!! Thanks for sharing them! That’s what selling hot dogs is all about.