First Time Here... I wanna be a Dog Man

I am a professionally trained chef, have a great family, nice paying job and love the business. I have finally come to the crossroads of my son needing a baseball coach (me) and the restaurant industry just won't allow me to do that so I will take the risk but have to move fairly quick. I have wanted a lunch truck for a few years but I will have to start off with the less expensive hot dog cart for now. I have one in mind (custom cart 525 model-- used and reasonably priced). I want to do more than hot dogs to still be creative, I make great meatballs, sausage and peppers etc. I guess i need to know exactly how to get this thing going. I live in South Jersey so local experience would be helpful. Location is the number one issue, permits are they from the county you serve the food in or the one you prepare items at (commisary or commercial kitchen?) Can you use an open air cart like that all year long in the North East, It gets cold but I guess with the Global warming effect we've hardly had any snow as of yet. I respect the opinions and info that is here so any help would be appreciated.

Here's your starting point buckaroo:

http://www.hotdogu.com/

Run by Roadfood's very own chicagostyledog. Check it out.

Buddy

Chefdom
every town in NJ seems to be different. Call the town you are in. (where u will have your cart) and ask their rules. Most times you need to have a spot picked out and permission to be there before anything else. Do you have a spot in mind? If so call the town and ask. Good luck. I have a commuter 650 (which is enclosed) and i started out at the end of Nov. and there was some really cold days. (and i was enclosed.) being totally outside in some of the weather is tough. and then getting people to come out when it is really really cold can be tough. Good luck to you. I love it. and i too was in the food industry for many yrs. (manufacturing end and then deli/catering) and i like this sooooo much better. (bascially because i don't have to depend on anyone but me!!!

Shelly,
the commuter is a beauty, I can't invest that kind of money right now considering I am giving up my bread winning job right. I have a personal chef business also which will help supplement the cash flow dilema. I'm assuming you did a private spot, if you don't mind me asking how did you find / approach the owners to use there property? It's great to hear that you are enjoying it and not getting discouraged when things were a little slow. I can't wait to be in a position where I don't have to depend on anther person to succeed. Thank you

Chef
I got mine used and i got it for a good price. (i was very lucky). Yes i am on a commercial lot with permission from the owner. I had a spot which was good in the respect that i didn't have to pay rent because my family owns the property. but the spot was NOT good and so i was out of biz for a bit. And so my search began and i looked and looked and finally i found this spot which just so happens to be not far from where i was and desperation kicked in and i just went in and asked. And long story short, he said yes, i pay rent and i am doing pretty good. (at least i am pretty happy with my days so far). Again, i love this job soooooo much. And best of all, it is only me and that is GREAT!!! Good luck again.

awesome.... best of luck

Welcome, click your heels together three times an repeat after me LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
congradulations your now the Weiner man!!