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Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:08:25 PM EDT
[#1]
Damn you OP. Now I want a hotdog.
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:13:32 PM EDT
[#2]
These things make a killing at the german christmas markets

I suppose thats probably the best hotdog i've had in frankfurt aside from maybe one burnt just right on a charcoal grill by a relative. Of course the gluhwein and german women probably helped. But these were awesome assortment of meats start in the middle and move to the edge when they are done, whole thing swings so you can keep the edges from overcooking.

Would be really unique in the states too
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:14:00 PM EDT
[#3]
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Quoted:
Damn you OP. Now I want a hotdog.
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Honestly, that is the real reason I want a hotdog stand. Just so I can get a good hotdog.
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:15:14 PM EDT
[#4]
no hotdog stand ownage here, but my weiner is up for sale to the highest bidding babe, no sword fighters allowed.
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:18:54 PM EDT
[#5]
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Quoted:



I stop on occasion and No hot dog cart vendor  would stay in business charging those prices in CT  


Edit

1/4 pounders I agree but really most people don't order those . When people stop they like a normal size dog.
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It's really more about the girth than the length.
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:45:30 PM EDT
[#6]
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Quoted:

Honestly, that is the real reason I want a hotdog stand. Just so I can get a good hotdog.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Damn you OP. Now I want a hotdog.

Honestly, that is the real reason I want a hotdog stand. Just so I can get a good hotdog.

Ignore the grilled cheese guys. You have a solid plan. A hotdog can be a quick snack or a quick meal.
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:47:01 PM EDT
[#7]
Boil 'em, then put them in a rotisserie or use a roller.  Easy, simple, quick, less cleanup.

I think a lot of the rotisserie units have a bun steamer in the base.

Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:47:41 PM EDT
[#8]
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Quoted:
My Uncle ran a concession stand on a carnival homecoming circuit. The markup and profit from fountain sodas was where it was at.

Google it and see for yourself Fountain Soda
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This.  And bottled water.
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:57:56 PM EDT
[#9]
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Quoted:
Don’t get a gourmet hot dog cart, do a regular hot dog cart.  

Buy buns and 2 kinds of dogs in mega packs at Costco or Sam’s.

Ketchup
Mustard
Relish
Onions
Peppers
Chili
Chip variety
Cooler with canned drinks

$2.00 for a regular hot dog
$3.00 for whatever the premium is

Boil your hot dogs, some carts have a little grill so you can throw it in and grill it quickly if they prefer grilled. Pull it out of the water and put some sear on it.

.75 for chips
.75 for drinks



Pay a pretty girl $15 an hour to run it. You’ll be printing money.

Don’t put chili on the menu. Instead do a chili dog special everyday. It’s a chili dog, chips, drink for $4.50. They are paying you $1.00 for 2 tablespoons of chili.

View Quote


OP, this guy gets it.  He went into more explanation, but this is what I was trying to say in my earlier post.  Keep it simple and sell them like crazy.
Link Posted: 6/22/2021 11:58:39 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Don’t get a gourmet hot dog cart, do a regular hot dog cart.  

Buy buns and 2 kinds of dogs in mega packs at Costco or Sam’s.

Ketchup
Mustard
Relish
Onions
Peppers
Chili
Chip variety
Cooler with canned drinks

$2.00 for a regular hot dog
$3.00 for whatever the premium is

Boil your hot dogs, some carts have a little grill so you can throw it in and grill it quickly if they prefer grilled. Pull it out of the water and put some sear on it.

.75 for chips
.75 for drinks



Pay a pretty girl $15 an hour to run it. You’ll be printing money.

Don’t put chili on the menu. Instead do a chili dog special everyday. It’s a chili dog, chips, drink for $4.50. They are paying you $1.00 for 2 tablespoons of chili.

View Quote


I have a contract at two parks for concessions.

This is EXACTLY, almost even down the the price of what I do.

I charge $1 for chips , and a $1 for a can of coke.

I make 6-7 hundred dollars profit every day.

Most days I sell out before 2 PM

Keep is simple.
Link Posted: 6/23/2021 12:01:12 AM EDT
[#11]
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Quoted:
I charge $1 for chips , and a $1 for a can of coke.

Keep is simple.
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Agree with this.  At $1 for cokes/water, you're still running cheaper than vending machines.  They'll come back for more if they're ice cold.

$1/bag-o-chips is still cheaper than vendos.
Link Posted: 6/23/2021 12:02:18 AM EDT
[#12]
There was a family that owned one of those small carnival stands like in that picture from Texas. Hot af in the summer time.  They took the wheels off of it.
Grandmother, daughter, granddaughter; they had a good location and did a good business.  
Hot dogs, Polish dogs, hamburgers, fries, nachos, and a great corn dog (using a chicken hotdog).  Bought most of their supplies from Sam's Club or Costco.  
People were known to drive 50 miles on a Saturday for a family drive to get the corndogs.  
They used a crushed ice machine for the fountain drinks.  The ice was great.  Another one of their drawing items was homemade lemonade.

They later built a much larger, nicer "stand" with a covered porch and 3 picnic tables.  This one had A/C and they expanded to include a shaved ice machine for snow cones.  Much more comfortable for them to work in.
Link Posted: 6/23/2021 9:07:23 AM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Ignore the grilled cheese guys. You have a solid plan. A hotdog can be a quick snack or a quick meal.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Damn you OP. Now I want a hotdog.

Honestly, that is the real reason I want a hotdog stand. Just so I can get a good hotdog.

Ignore the grilled cheese guys. You have a solid plan. A hotdog can be a quick snack or a quick meal.

We definitely won’t be doing grilled cheese. There is already a truck we host that does that. Plus hotdogs just seem a lot easier.

We are only doing this as a fill in. If I can have any other truck we won’t set up.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:12:21 PM EDT
[#14]
UPDATE: ordered the cart today.

Now I need to order beans for the chili.

Also the question is what brand of hotdogs? I would also like to offer footlongs.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:13:34 PM EDT
[#15]
Whatever you do, don’t try the hot dogs from the pride parade. They taste like shit.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:14:36 PM EDT
[#16]
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Quoted:
Whatever you do, don’t try the hot dogs from the pride parade. They taste like shit.
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I think this is pretty solid life advice for you young fellows. Learn from Guitargod’s mistakes!
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:19:30 PM EDT
[#17]
Hotdogs are a limiting factor. Get a decent man behind a griddle and suddenly you can do burgers and cheesesteaks too.

I've been following your progress on the arf threads and wish you success. I'll have to divert there on one of my next trips up the highway.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:21:31 PM EDT
[#18]
Guy at the local farmers has a nice little tow-behind set-up.  Nothing too complicated.  Reasonable prices, fat dogs, decent brats.  He get's a lot of customers and has to compete with quite a few hipster food trucks every weekend.

He also sells little jars of spealty relishes.  Little flat 4 oz jars with his name on the label.  It is my opinion that he makes a killing selling those little jars.

Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:21:38 PM EDT
[#19]
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Quoted:
Hotdogs are a limiting factor. Get a decent man behind a griddle and suddenly you can do burgers and cheesesteaks too.
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I get that but this needs to be a very easy to set up and run thing.

Plus the most difficult part of this idea is someone to actually run the stand.

Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:27:23 PM EDT
[#20]
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Quoted:
These things make a killing at the german christmas markets
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Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:29:07 PM EDT
[#21]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
and to the higher end on the strip
HAUTE DOGS
The Fun-Ghi$7.99
char-grilled frank, grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, & truffle mayo

Gold Standard$7.29
char-grilled frank, smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, roast tomato, arugula, & garlic aioli

Hangover Dog$9.99
char-grilled frank, bbq brisket, grilled onions. jalapeños, swiss cheese, bacon bits, ketchup, mustard, & mayo

The Longhorn$7.99
char-grilled frank, smoked beef BBQ brisket, coleslaw, onion rings, & pickles

Reuben Dog$7.99
char-grilled frank, spicy mustard, kraut, swiss cheese, & pastrami

Mac N' Cheese Dog$7.79
char-grilled polish, macaroni & cheese, cheddar cheese, & bacon bits

Mushroom Dog$7.79
char-grilled frank, grilled mushrooms, bacon bits, swiss cheese, truffle aioli


RETRO DOGS
Undressed Dog$5.00
char-grilled frank on a bun
polish dog $5.54

Windy City$6.29
grilled frank, relish, tomato, onion, dill pickle, sport pepper, & mustard with celery salt

Empire State Dog$6.49
grilled frank, grilled onions, kraut, ketchup & spicy mustard

Detroit Coney Classic$6.49
grilled frank, chili, onions, mustard & cheddar cheese

Tijuana Dog$7.29
char-grilled frank topped with bacon, grilled onion, jalapeno, & mayo
View Quote


Damn, I don't do dogs from a stand, but I would with that menu. The prices seem reasonable as well.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:30:02 PM EDT
[#22]
Nathans or Hebrew National.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 6:43:15 PM EDT
[#23]
Whatever comes in boxes of 100 from Costco.  Good meat, whatever name it is.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 8:33:46 PM EDT
[#24]
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Quoted:
Nathans or Hebrew National.
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This all day
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:05:39 PM EDT
[#25]


Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:12:26 PM EDT
[#26]



There are these around here.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:17:31 PM EDT
[#27]
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Quoted:
I know they're dirty water dogs but the Lucky Dog vendors throughout the French Quarter seem to do really well. About as basic as a dog gets.
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I’ve only had lucky dog in the casino downtown, but it hit the spot and from what I remember it wasn’t “cheap” but then again what In a Casino is?
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:34:40 PM EDT
[#28]
OP, link to the cart you ordered?
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:43:57 PM EDT
[#29]
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Quoted:



This all day
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Nathans or Hebrew National.



This all day


X2

Don’t try and do footlongs. They’re going to require different buns, different warming tray, etc.

Consistency will be your friend if this is a side gig.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:48:49 PM EDT
[#30]
When I grew up, there was a husband & wife team, each had a cart in neighboring towns, on main streets in high traffic areas. My Father ate there before me, I ate there & my kids remember them. They put both of their kids through Ivy league schools. Thats in the North East, working from May-Sept(Memorial day-Labor Day). I still crave them in the summer time
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:52:44 PM EDT
[#31]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
OP, link to the cart you ordered?
View Quote

The Big One


Most places aren't taking orders at all or are backed up six months. This one is a month out. Its actually not my favorite design but its literally all I could get within a reasonable timeframe. Though I think the design will work fine. We did get the cooler rack and the prep shelf as an add on. Out the door it was just under 4k.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:56:42 PM EDT
[#32]
Don’t forget the biggest money maker for a food cart/stand. A hot chick with a cool attitude that will dress the part.

A few years ago a very attractive girl that would wear the right clothes set up a hotdog cart in a parking lot at Smith Mountain Lake. There was a massive line for her cart everyday that she was open.


Also, look into “Moore’s Country Store Chili”. Several places around here use their hotdog chili. It is awesome.

https://moorescountrystore.com/
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 9:59:32 PM EDT
[#33]
Op, that's cool.  Are you going to be moving locations during the day or just one setup?

I'll take 3 dags.  Chilli on all.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:00:08 PM EDT
[#34]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Don’t get a gourmet hot dog cart, do a regular hot dog cart.  

Buy buns and 2 kinds of dogs in mega packs at Costco or Sam’s.

Ketchup
Mustard
Relish
Onions
Peppers
Chili
Chip variety
Cooler with canned drinks

$2.00 for a regular hot dog
$3.00 for whatever the premium is

Boil your hot dogs, some carts have a little grill so you can throw it in and grill it quickly if they prefer grilled. Pull it out of the water and put some sear on it.

.75 for chips
.75 for drinks



Pay a pretty girl $15 an hour to run it. You’ll be printing money.

Don’t put chili on the menu. Instead do a chili dog special everyday. It’s a chili dog, chips, drink for $4.50. They are paying you $1.00 for 2 tablespoons of chili.

View Quote



This dude gets it. If I’m getting a hot dog, I want simple and quick. If I’m going to spend $10 on lunch, I want a food truck or a restaurant.

For what you want, a simple basic hot dog cart is all you need. And it will be the most profitable.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:05:25 PM EDT
[#35]
Can you pull off wearing something like the Nostalgic Florida Hot Dog Girls?

Attachment Attached File
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:08:31 PM EDT
[#36]
Could smash like three hotdogs right now after reading this thread.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:09:56 PM EDT
[#37]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Op, that's cool.  Are you going to be moving locations during the day or just one setup?

I'll take 3 dags.  Chilling on all.
View Quote

The plan is for now only to plug holes in our food truck schedule at our venue. If it does well we may send it out to various places just to create a full time job for someone.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:11:13 PM EDT
[#38]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Can you pull off wearing something like the Nostalgic Florida Hot Dog Girls?

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188107/AB0D1CD8-F283-4F83-A715-D0EEED8A6EBE_jpe-1996264.JPG
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I remember those girls.  Clearwater, FL about 1989 to 1995.  They made Bank.  That one looks familiar ??
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:11:29 PM EDT
[#39]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Can you pull off wearing something like the Nostalgic Florida Hot Dog Girls?

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188107/AB0D1CD8-F283-4F83-A715-D0EEED8A6EBE_jpe-1996264.JPG
View Quote

I mean I could wear it. But no-one would be happy about it. Plus I won't be running the cart. So I guess I could wear it when I go out to check on it.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:17:46 PM EDT
[#40]
OP Fir gods sake stop with the suspense

Post a link to the cart you ordered
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:21:21 PM EDT
[#41]
Research Paradise Vendors.  Ignatius J. Reilly got famous selling their hot dogs.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:25:03 PM EDT
[#42]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
OP Fir gods sake stop with the suspense

Post a link to the cart you ordered
View Quote

A handful of posts above yours.
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:29:56 PM EDT
[#43]
The Sabrett's onion sauce was a hotdog addition I tried for the first time in NY and got hooked on. Worth the offering as a premium "NY hotdog" item
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:36:39 PM EDT
[#44]
Costco dogs
Link Posted: 6/29/2021 10:58:00 PM EDT
[#45]
I missed what type of venue but food trucks are fierce business. At an outdoor flea market I paid $5 for a regular dog and soda. I'm guessing $3/$2 split. I don't remember.

Since you are sort of the constant backup food vendor you don't want to be so special you pirate too much sales from the other trucks or they won't be back. You'll have to take over as primary.
Link Posted: 6/30/2021 12:41:50 AM EDT
[#46]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

A handful of posts above yours.
View Quote

Yeah i caught that. Old and slow I am.
Congratulations
Link Posted: 6/30/2021 12:52:08 AM EDT
[#47]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I know they're dirty water dogs but the Lucky Dog vendors throughout the French Quarter seem to do really well. About as basic as a dog gets.
View Quote

Lucky Dog seems dirt simple and in the absence of options, patrons are thankful and happy.
Link Posted: 6/30/2021 12:53:07 AM EDT
[#48]
We have lots of stupid odds & ends around here for dine-in/food truck types of food. My closest hotdog fix is a 7-11 about 20 minutes away with no competing heatlamp vendors to argue with.
I'd be all over a solid hotdog stand around here.
Link Posted: 6/30/2021 12:59:39 AM EDT
[#49]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


I was thinking Nathan’s all beef and $2.50-3.00.

As well maybe multiple kinds of chili just to be different.

When I was a kid I loved Stewart’s hotdogs in Huntington, WV. They don’t do any sort of franchise but maybe I will reach out just the same, you never know.
View Quote

I think that’s way to cheap.

If you’re selling at a venue where there are no other options, and you don’t really care how many you sell, I would say $5-6 easy.
Link Posted: 6/30/2021 12:59:44 AM EDT
[#50]
Check out my wife and I hotdog biz.  Started as a cart, now have small restaurant.   Still do cart for events.  
Julieshotdogs.com. or on FB
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