First day with my cart

I had fun today. It didn't feel like work.


We live in a rural area and had a yardsale on our highway frontage.I set up just over the cattlegaurd. I gave away more hotdogs than I sold because I couldn't charge friends and family. They were my guinny pigs. Went out with 50 and came back with a handfull. Made 35 bucks so I must have sold around 15. I was selling the Sams 80 Pack Beef 8/1. They were ok. I had fresh buns from the store but they seem to dry out fast. Maybe I need to modify my cart slightly for a roll top to do the par baked Chicago buns. Everyone said my hotdogs tasted good but I know they were crap compared to better quality products. I really want my business to evolve around a true CSH. I love that hot dog so much and I know that all my fellow Texans are really missing out. They don't know what they are missing.

My cart performed great. Temperature control was very good all day. I kept my dogs at 140 degrees. I was really suprised about my cooler area. My ice lasted all day long, 1 bag, and it was 100 degrees outdide today. This cart just sips propane. I was almost on Empty and figured I would have to change tanks but it chugged along for 6 hours.I am very very impressed with the cart and the quality of it's construction.

Learned something about the demographic. My Hispanic neighbors really like the jalepenos on their dogs. I brought a little along just in case I needed them and I sold out. Might have to add a jalepeno dog to the menu. Condiments on my cart included onions, relish, cheese , chili, ketchup, mustard, jalepenos.

A pic with my youngest:


Can't wait to do it again.

Congrats on your first day out! But ya need to step up the quality of the dog.. You alone saying your not happy with them, is worse then a customer not coming back. But your in your infancy, so now you get to fine tune your product and services! Wishing you the best of luck there!!

What's the make of your Cart and where are you located? Good luck with your business!
P.S. From now on, I suggest your friends, neighbors AND RELATIVES Pay.
Otherwise you will have a problem later on when you have to say NO to the freeloaders!!

That is a SWEET looking hot dog cart! I am jealous!

Remember your buns turn to crap if they are in the sun. They get sunburned. Always keep a towel over them to keep them from getting all cruddy.

Best of luck....may you sell out everyday!!!!

Yes good luck but as UncleVic said you definetly need to step up the dog. If you aren't happy with it why would you want to sell it???? If you don't like it, would'nt eat it, buy it, etc, etc then don't expect others to. And besides don't you want to be known for the guy with the nice little cart that has really GREAT dawgs? Again, good luck to ya.

I agree. The dogs came with the cart so I used them to get rid of them and learn how my cart operates.

The cart is a Creative Mobile Systems 325.

I'm on vacation all week so I'll be running around San Antonio and my local meat markets looking for product. I'm also going to visit a local bakery to see about buns. I have to get my cart license plates updated and put in my name. Plenty do do but I want to knock it out fast so I can gain a foothold in a neighboring town. They just started a Friday night block party in the downtown area and are looking for vendors.

The biggest challenge I see so far when it comes to providing a great product is managing the bun. Thanks for the "out of sun tip". I need to see about reconfiguring my steam table. I need to find a big pan with a roll top built in.....unless any of you guys know can tell me how to steam buns in one of those little pans. If it will help, I can take a pic of my steam table for everyone.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Having fun!

Arnie

Sams sells Nathan dogs by the case. I believe they come 160 to a case for $80 or .50 cents each. They are a good dog that are much better than the boxes you previously used. Just go to the deli and they will get them for you

quote:

Originally posted by ArnieTX

I agree. The dogs came with the cart so I used them to get rid of them and learn how my cart operates.

The cart is a Creative Mobile Systems 325.

I'm on vacation all week so I'll be running around San Antonio and my local meat markets looking for product. I'm also going to visit a local bakery to see about buns. I have to get my cart license plates updated and put in my name. Plenty do do but I want to knock it out fast so I can gain a foothold in a neighboring town. They just started a Friday night block party in the downtown area and are looking for vendors.

The biggest challenge I see so far when it comes to providing a great product is managing the bun. Thanks for the "out of sun tip". I need to see about reconfiguring my steam table. I need to find a big pan with a roll top built in.....unless any of you guys know can tell me how to steam buns in one of those little pans. If it will help, I can take a pic of my steam table for everyone.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Having fun!

Arnie

Try keeping one pan free for buns. I find a steamed bun almost as important as a good quality dog. Hard bread or a raw bun can ruin a hot dog for sure in my opinion.

Try this. Keep one of your steam pans free for buns only. Maybe put a cloth or small towel over the steam tray and have a little water in the bottom. Add a couple buns as people order or approach the cart. It only takes a few seconds to get some steam on that bun and it will be way better then no steam at all. Be sure not to leave them in there too long or they will turn to mush. Just add the buns as they order for now.

Good Luck and the cart looks great. Are you going slap some signage on that bad boy?

I've been thinking about my cart layout. I have one big pan with a split lid that I actually fill with water, it sits on the right.This past weekend I filled it with water and simmered my dogs in it.

The other side of the table has smaller pans that sit in water. I assume these are for keeping product warm. I didn't use these pans for anything, except for the smallest one on the end was used for chili. The previous owner would simmer his dogs and them move them over the the other pans to keep them warm. Here's what I'm dealing with:



I need a place to simmer or steam my dogs. I think that place is on the right in my big pan directly over the burner. I need a place for buns so do you guys think I need to take out the first divider from the righth and steam my buns there in another large pan? That would leave me one pan and two smaller pans on the left side.

I want to serve only hotdogs. I have found a local distributer of Vienna products so I should be able to get the par baked buns. I have a meeting with them tomorrow. Any advice on how to set up my steam table for maximum performance would be appreciated.

Thanks

and yes, I have signs in the works. I want to take some high def pics of my products and build them into my menu. I have to get my product first though. I'm heading into town today to register a business name and get a tax ID. I should be legal soon and have my logos and signs done in a couple of weeks.

The local Chamber of Commerce has been sending me leads. They have been really receptive to my cart idea. So far this has been a great learning experience for me. Thanks