Help w/ Our New Dog House, Ideas, Prices???

My husband and will be leasing a building that's right off an interstate, across from a truck stop and on the way to school and we are going to start a Fried Hot Dog place. We really need help. We're concerned about prices. We want to have after school specials. Also family paks for take home and tailgating and something fun for after ball games but we don't want to over-price and certainly not under-price.

We would also like some ideas on what brand of hot dogs and buns to use.

I was thinking that we might need to use a homemade hot mustard as a kicker but the recipe I have takes 2-3 days to make because of soaking the mustard seeds and cooking it down. It would be nice to find some condiments that are not sold here in Arkansas and order them or maybe a secret ingredient to add.

As far as I know the only place to get a hot dog around here is Sonic and at Quick Shops. We want to offer something unique and delicious.

Thank you for any and all advise, wisdom and ideas that you offer.

You're all invited to the Grand Opening!!!

God Bless,

Cathy

You might want to contact your local wholsalers and find outwhat products they carry and sample them as well. If your deep frying the barkers you also will have to figure out what type of oil is going to work best with the product. The priceing factor has too many variables hard to put a figure on that one. Your major concern is going to be quality, cleanlyness and service. Good Luck and welcome to Roadfood. Chow Jim

Thanks for the welcome Jim, and the advice.
Cathy

sounds like an interesting place.. good luck

I wouldnt worry about the mustard. Folks are pretty well fixed on their tastes. (Just use a generic yellow mustard and/or brown mustard). IF your going to take time to make something, make a decent pickle or garden relish... Your own recipe of course! Also, being a northern chili dog loving guy, I have to say, the further south I drive, the sweeter the chili sauce gets... Nothing against the south, but them sweets and spices ya'll add, I dont really like.. Make an honest chili sauce there.. That should make you unique in itself.

Good Luck in your venture there, and keep us updated!

As far as an answer to what type of hot dogs to use, you could get more than a dozen answers, and they'd all be correct. Everyone has their favorite. Obviously, you can't please everyone, but nonetheless- the one thing you should definitely NOT do is to use run-of-mill, everyday dogs that anyone can get from supermarket shelves. I don't know if you'll need a certain type to use for frying, or not. My wife and I never used to like hot dogs, until I started reading this forum. Now we enjoy the occasional dog or 2 or 3! We just never buy those dogs I mentioned earlier- never any B*llP*rk, S*g*rd*le, etc. The one single item that you need to be the pickiest about is obviously the dog! That is what would determine whether my first visit was my last or just one of many more to come! We like several brands, available in select grocery stores and delis, but they can be pricey- from $4.99lb to $6.39lb. Recently, we went to a local meat shop that makes their own wieners, and the retail price is only $3.19lb. Of course, w/ a vendor's license (Or whatever it's called where you are) and a large quantity, your wholesale price would be considerably lower! You may want to contact some local meat markets that make them right there. This would cut out the middle man and any shipping costs, making your expense much lower!

Another thing to consider (You may already have) is to be very aware of any and all health dept. requirements, licensing laws, codes, etc! I was going to start a coffee and espresso business about a year ago, and all the codes, laws, etc, made it all but impossible for me to open.

Good luck, and God Bless you in your undertaking!

What part of the good ol' USA will you be in so that we can all stop in and have a bite.

We are in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I hope all of you can stop by. We're pretty sure our name will be Heckmann's Dog House. My husband things we should spell dog "Dawg", what do you think?

I've found a company that has 100% black angus beef dogs. They call them steak n' franks. They are going to send us some samples. I really don't even like hot dogs very much since I've gotten older, and I've never liked them cooked. At least we know I won't be eating up the profits! My husband and kids love them tho.

I'll have to work on my chili recipe. I make it at home with beans and lots of juice. I'll make it thick and meaty and try to hold the sweetness down. UncleVic, do you think spicy is OK as long as it's not spicy AND sweet? You'll have to come taste test it for us.

I read about Hot Dog Nuggets too. Slice em up, dip in corn dog batter and fry. I think we'll do "puppy meals" with a little toy for the kiddies.

I'm ready to get started before school starts so we'll have the after school crowd. The building we're leasing was a store when I was in school and everybody stopped there for a soda and snack. The store already has a freezer for hand dipped ice cream so we are going to serve that also.

Try to get Hummel Bros hot dogs that are made in New Haven Conn. They are the best hot dogs I have ever had.
You can find them on the internet!

quote:

Originally posted by supermom1023

We are in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I hope all of you can stop by. We're pretty sure our name will be Heckmann's Dog House. My husband things we should spell dog "Dawg", what do you think?

I've found a company that has 100% black angus beef dogs. They call them steak n' franks. They are going to send us some samples. I really don't even like hot dogs very much since I've gotten older, and I've never liked them cooked. At least we know I won't be eating up the profits! My husband and kids love them tho.

I'll have to work on my chili recipe. I make it at home with beans and lots of juice. I'll make it thick and meaty and try to hold the sweetness down. UncleVic, do you think spicy is OK as long as it's not spicy AND sweet? You'll have to come taste test it for us.

I read about Hot Dog Nuggets too. Slice em up, dip in corn dog batter and fry. I think we'll do "puppy meals" with a little toy for the kiddies.

I'm ready to get started before school starts so we'll have the after school crowd. The building we're leasing was a store when I was in school and everybody stopped there for a soda and snack. The store already has a freezer for hand dipped ice cream so we are going to serve that also.

Kelly Eisenburg Dogs I taketh? Read about CSD's recomendations on this dog, but nothing even close around here selling them puppies... ( http://www.kellyeisenberg.com/detail.asp?item=109 ) Maybe next month when I skirt thru Indiana I'll be on the lookout...

As for Spicy, it's all in ones taste... What I find semi mild makes my buddies cry.. So hard as it is, I try to hold back on the spices (not that it works, but in theory it was a good idea)... Also, if your using beans, use a hand held blender to puree the mix... Alot of folks dont like beans, but if they dont see it, they wont complain! Flavor is all there, and thats what it's all about...

Yep... that's the ones. We got our samples from them today and they are very good. Where do I find the CSD's recomendation.

They just got a distributer here in town and the man I've talked to has left at least 3 messages for them to call me but he hasn't. Everyone at the company is very nice tho.

We're just concerned about other places selling the same dog.

Cathy