I got an email from HDP Premium Member Bruce Zich over the weekend. He just got a wonderful unsolicited testimonial from one of his customers. Awesome Bruce!!!
When this happens to you for the first time you’ll be dancing on the clouds. It’s such a wonderful feeling to know that someone thinks so highly of your food.
Here is the testimonial…
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“Bruce is truly a culinary aficionado.
Home made chili with sausage discs, potato soup with just the right amount of spices, pulled pork sandwiches that beat out Arby’s any day of the week, and last but certainly farthest from least, the all mighty Bruce’s Hotdog Cart-el Premium VIP hot dog experience.
I don’t know who taught this guy how to cook, but I would LOVE TO SHAKE HIS HAND. This man takes food to an all new level. Calling it an art-form would be an insult. It’s more of an undying passion that you appreciate with every mouthful.
Thank you Bruce, for all the tasty eats, from the bottom of my heart.”
Kriz Radousky
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“Steve, I’m on top of the world after this testimonial !!! Thanks for all your help.
Bruce Zich,
Bruce’s Hot Dog Cartel
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Way to go Bruce! Feels pretty good doesn’t it? Keep up the good work!
OK Hot Dog Cart News readers, what’s the best testimonial or compliment you have gotten on your culinary creations. Let us hear it in the comments!
-Steve
I’ll kick it off. I had a customer who drove 25 miles each way every Saturday to come to King Weenie. He would order two Chicago Style Hot Dogs, eat them at one of our picnic tables, then order two more to go.
He told me he would wake up dreaming of our hot dogs.
It feels pretty good to know that your food is one of the high points of someone’s week.
-Steve
We have been told by several customers that we have the best food on the Connecticut River !! It’s a great feeling when you hear a customer say something like that.
It really makes your day, after all we are also out there to perform a public service, Arrrrggg !!!!
1St Mate Jim.
Aye, Mate. Yer victuals be stavin’ off the scurvy. Yer a proper saint, you are.
At my flea market gig on Saturday, I have a father & daughter come to my spot every week for my Chili – Cheese Dogs, and a Diet Pepsi. He tells me that the moment she wakes up, she comes to get him out the door for her chili dog. I also have a little boy who come and stands in front of my cart every Saturday, doesnt say a word, but holds up two fingers meaning, two Hot Dogs, bag of Cheetos, and an Orange Crush. He then holds up his money, gets his dogs and then disappears back into the crowd. His mom and dad are vendors there. Last of all, there is an elderly couple that come to the flea market to just walk around and get their exercise, and to stop by for a Polish Dog with my home made warm Saurkraut. Having customers like these always makes my day. But my real blessing is when the homeless come to my cart, they know that I will not turn them away. As George Patton would say, “God, I love my job”
That’s a beautiful thing.
Steve,
Played music from 1956 or so to 1986 or so and retired . I started back in 2001 doing a one man band. I received the best compliment ever about 3 years ago. I played a farmers market. Being a sax player from New Orleans, you play everything from Yakety Sax to Harlem Nocturne and In The Mood.
In my tip jar was a note. When I got home, I read it. It said,”you are amazing.” I guess she appreciated the variety of Jazz Standards, Pop, Country, Latin and many more including Sinatra to Garth Brooks tunes that I do. I said to my wife, “that must have been one of the older folks that stopped and listened!” My wife said, “I saw her put the note in.” She could have been 18 or 35.” I thought young folks just liked “RAP!” I was wrong.
I had many compliments in 30 years of music, but nothing like that. Now I’m gonna have to wait another 30 years to get a Hot Dog compliment. Lol!
Hope this doesn’t up-set anyone. I just wanted to share a special feeling.
Boo
That’s great Boo. Selling dogs is a lot like music. We are both performing in front of a live audience.
I had a potential customer stop by last year and ask if I took credit cards. I didn’t at the time and he said he’d have to go to an ATM. I asked him what he likes on his hot dogs and fixed him one. He restated that he had to go to the ATM. I told him to eat it on the way and if he didn’t like it he didn’t have to come back. If he did like it, pay me when he was in the neighborhood.
He loved the chili & slaw and not only came back and purchased 4 more to take home, he called a friend that loves hot dogs and lives 15 miles away. His friend purchased 10 to go and they have been faithful customers ever since.
That’s cool Jack. Way to go!
P.S. My team is working on your free website. Should be live in the next day or two – I’ll let you know.
I have a lot of people who make my day. This summer was very special. Kids love me and one boy saved the foil from his hot dog and made a little motor boat complete with the props, transome and tiller. One little girl was picking up pretty pebbles on the beach and wanted me and my brother to pick one out to remember her. An older customer came by who had been playing harmonica for 7 years and gave me one of his first CD’s. Still another noticed I was dipping cheese with a spoon and he went to a tag sale and found me a ladle, just the size I was looking for. But the best of all was when an old friend of mine who I hadn’t seen in years dropped by. He was from Brooklyn and used to get street dogs all the time growing up there. We worked together years ago and I hadn’t seen him in years. He’s in his 80’s now and he practically had tears in his eyes telling me, “Boy, you don’t know how much this means to me. I MEAN it, it really means the world to me to get a hot dog off a cart again, that was REALLY good!”
Wonderful Robin!
Bruce,
That is an awesome testimonial from your customer…keep up the good work !!!
As I begin my 4th year of business after transitioning out of the corporate world and into the wonderful world of “doggers”…I reflect on this and how much we really are appreciated by our customers. I can’t remember a time (if any) that my boss was ‘happy to see me’ and ‘thanked me for being there every day’…in the world of “doggers” I find that occurs almost each and every day !
Super cool Robert!
I have been doing the Belton Market Days for 3 yrs now and I have my loyal followers but there’s one couple in particular who are very special to me. They are an older couple and they come out the the market not to shop, but to have a chicago dog combo. They have been extremely loyal and when they don’t come, its because the husband isn’t feeling up to par or is in the hospital. They are my #1 best customers I’ve had by far. I’ve also been voted #1 Best in Hot Dogs by the readers of the Belton Journal for 2012!! Now that I’m going into different counties and doing bigger events, my reputation is growing! Round Rock Market Days had made me their official food vendor! All because of selling those delicious all beef tube steaks, and of course taking meticulous care in my set up. Thanks for everything Steve, I continue to learn and grow each and everytime I go out and sell and with every story you post on here! By the way, I’d like to learn more about this free website you have going on my brother from another mother!!
Hey hermano,
You are doing it right for sure. What a nice story – that’s the feel good stuff for sure. Thanks bro for rockin’ the Chicago Style in the Lone Star State.
Hello fellow slingers. Steve this site has so many great people giving advise and their story’s i have gained so much info here. I’ve been slinging hot dogs and sausages since May and I finally am able to make the move from a cart to a concession trailer 1 week ago. I am still slinging hot dogs, burgers and sausages. I had one of my regulars come and tell me that he was upset that I am no longer with the cart (him being a 80 year old New Yorker) says he felt like he was back home going to the cart for a dog or 2. I told him I was moving on up to the East Side. He laughed and said he will be back that I serve the real Sabrett’s and he enjoyed talking to me. I then told him he’s been living in Miami for over 15 yrs now its way too hot and with all the rain. i told him that ill keep the blue and yellow umbrella up for him.
Nice. When you think about it we have quite a responsibility, especially to our regulars who look forward to coming to our carts. Good work Joe!
Wish i could have another… kriz (630) 607-8705
I’ve managed to start dogging with no experience whatsoever! I am now the #1 rated restaurant in town! I have a 400 sq foot brick and mortar store. I hear, “Best dog ever” near daily! I’ll be picking up my cart next week!
Awesome. Good job Jasper.
Steve,
Good morning. I have enjoyed your course and have my final inspection of my cart on 6/10. I set up my website on go daddy and was wondering if I could get some ideas from your team regarding my content on the website. Company name is
Desert Dawgs.
Thanks,
Chris
Give me the url and I’ll take a look.
Not really a compliment but it still gives me warm fuzzies that the local pizza joint is trying to run me out of town because I am too much competition for them…I only set up in town 1-2 times a month as I have a full time job.
You must be doing it right!