Hitting a new spot in the morning - PICS added

Tomorrow is my first day actually selling Chicago Style dogs to the Texas public. I've gotten permission to set up in a busy area next to a river. The river is low this year and the tourist count is slower than normal but I'm giving it a go. People go tubing and drink plenty of beer. I'm in a spot where they get out so they should be hungry and ready to eat. This spot will give me a good chance to evaluate my skills on customers that are not from this area. So , if I screw things up somehow, I probably won't see 99% of these folks again.

I have 80 dogs and a bunch of soda and chips. I'm determined to come home without any hot dogs. However long it takes is how long I will be there. Setting up around 9AM. I'll take my camera along to document. Selling regular dogs for $2.50, Chicago's and ChilliCheese for $3.00. I got my signage ready to go and good weather is here to stay. Bring on the hungry people!!!

Wish me luck.

Arnie
The Family Dawg

I don't know much about hot dogs sold from a cart, but I cannot imagine ever being willing to spend $2.50 for a hot dog. As for a Chicago-style hot dog, well, I wouldn't pay a dime for one of those -- but that's just me. I realize there are people who think they are edible.

Good luck Arnie...looking forward to the report and the pics!

$2.50 for a dog is a better value than five dollar diesel! That's for sure.

Hey Hoff, my chili dogs sell for $2.50 here on the street of beautiful Charlotte NC and I sell a mess of em. I am by far the busiest lunch cart by a long shot. Fact is that good food gets what price it is worth. I have showed several folks over the last four years where they can obtain a cheaper dog, some follow my advice and some are impressed enough to stay and eat. Also, like folks at a sporting event or a theme park, food price is relative to where you are and the proximity of a cheaper alternative. (and after my visit to Kensandiego's I do like a Chicago dog, Sam I am!)

Arnie, I wish you nothing but the best. Keep the smile wide and the burners wide open!

Hey Hoff, when your in Charlotte, look me up for some good cart food, I love a convert!

I'm afraid I've not seen anyone on this site named Hoff.

Anyone who wont spend 2.50 for a quality dog belongs at the gas station eating 99c roller dogs.

BEST OF LUCK ARNIE! I know you know what you are doing.

When the river is running , you can float from point A to the get out point where I'm set up in about 2 hours. When the river is low like it is now, it takes about 4-5 hours. So all the tourists who expected a short float like they had last year (water was up) are going to be either drunk, burnt, tired, hungry, or all of the above.

If your money is wet, I may have to apply a small surcharge. LOL. Just kidding, I like it wet or dry!

It's a beautiful place.

http://marsorange.com/files/IMG_5490-2.jpg

Arnie

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

I'm afraid I've not seen anyone on this site named Hoff.

Don't Hassel the Hoff!!!

The jury has spoken.

Michael, no disrespect intended. I have the tendancy to shorten names all over the place. (Imagine my distress at having a neighbor named ****ima, no kidding!)

Seriously, I hope that someday you can get by and find a dog that is worthy of the cost.

Chili

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

I'm afraid I've not seen anyone on this site named Hoff.

Michael, if that's really you, you may want to consider a chest wax with your Chicago dog!

Arnie,

I wish you all the best and I hope you are sold out by now, and can't wait to see the pictures. I know right now, I am craving a decent $ 2.50 dog and easily would spend/my pleasure, for a Chicago syle. Yumm.

I enjoy your positive spirited posts and look forward to hearing more of your successes. It's all in the ATTITUDE.

MG

What a beautiful Texas Saturday. I headed out at 0830hrs and arrived at my destination aroun 0915.
On the road:




I stopped at the local store headquarters to meet the folks that gave me permission. They weren't there but I snagged a list containing their employees and told them they would get a discount. Bought a little extra shredded cheeze from them for my chili dogs. That turned out to be a good move.

Here I'm all set up. By 1030AM I had dogs and buns steaming.



It was pretty slow. I had a bazillion cars drive by but not to many stopped. I wasn't in a very good location to serve vehichles but thats ok. I know a spot ......

My shade and some interesting pics:





Glamour Shot


I sold out (80 hot dogs). Took me 8 hours to do it but I grinded it out. I sold my last dog at 6PM. Sold a few bags of chips and maybe 10 drinks. Everyone on the river brings plenty to drink, just not much to eat.

Made some pretty good tips without a tip jar. I saw a couple of kids that were standing about 20' from me waiting for Mom and Dad to catch up. Evidently these kids got seperated and got out first. They kept talking to eachother and saying how they wish Mom and Dad would hurry up because they are starving. I told them to come here and I gave em' a free dog and a back of chips. They said thanks and ran off. About an hour later their Dad came over to me and thanked me saying that was a really nice thing I did for them. I told him no sweat, my pleasure. He tried to give me some money but I wouldn't take it. He insisted, I told him just a buy a soda and we are even. - He gave me a $20, I gave him change and he gave me an $8 dollar tip. Very nice guy! As he was about to leave I ran up to his truck and slid him a Chicago through his window for the road. Everyone was smiles.

Sitting there during slow times I jotted down things I thought about. In no particular order:
- I like being my own boss. Very satisfying earning money doing something you want to do.
-Hot dog salesman never have to pack a lunch.
-I need non work cloths to do set up. By the time I was done setting up I was covered in sweat. Luckily I brought an extra shirt
-Every buddy loves hollering at the hot dog guy. Everyone smiles at the hot dog guy when they drive by.
-Bikinis are cool.
-Steaming buns is very managable. Didn't have any issues. Worked as advertised.

All in all I had a great day. I forgot my onions but I stuffed an extra onion in my cart on the way out so I made it stretch 7 hours. Everyone commented on how good the buns were. They were Vienna poppy seed and steamed to perfection. The dogs steamed nicely and kept there color all day. My cart sips propane. I love this cart. I ran it on pilot light only most of the day. Chili Cheese and Chicagos sold well. I had two groups order 8 and 12 in a 20 minute span. I know if I get in town where there is more foot traffic I can sell at least 100-150 a day. Maybe more.

Well, I appreciate everyone's help over the last month. My cart is great, this business is fun, and I'm looking forward to fine tuning it and getting better.

Have a good weekend. I'm hitting the sack!

Arnie

Congrats Arn! I'm glad the new spot worked.

Also noticed you are using Miss Vickies chips! Nice choice!

Great workday report. Early on, as I looked at the photos, I thought, "Where are the people"? But they showed up!

Of the 80 hot dogs that you sold, how many were Chicago-style?

Congratulations on following the dream and sharing it with us!

Hello everyone!

That's my nephew posting those pics!

He's got the charm of his dad and the spunk of his mom, my sister.

Remember nephew - A real man makes his own way!

You've always been on the right path, keep them dogs steaming and that stand gleaming.

Uncle Tommy

I guestimate I sold between 15 and 20 Chicagos. Sold a lot of Chili dogs. I had about 3 repeat customers that ate in the AM and later in the PM.

Arnie

Great pictures. I'm surprised you didn't sell more dogs. When I get off the water I'm starving and would love a couple of great dogs. Were the rocks hard to work on all day, (feet, back)?

Good luck! I had to look up D'Hanis. If it wasn't so far from DFW we'd give you and the river a visit.

I smoothed out the area around my cart. Not too bad.

Wish I was there today.........

Arnie

quote:

Originally posted by ArnieTX

What a beautiful Texas Saturday. I headed out at 0830hrs and arrived at my destination aroun 0915. ...Snip of a great write-up

Congrats on your day, Arnie. I really enjoyed the pics and the narrative. Well done and well played.

Congrats Arnie! Sounds like you had a good day there.. Especially with the scenery when it was slow.
And Saps, you must have lurked for a long time... I think you hit just about everyone that will get a knuckle.

Congratulations! Arnie, you're living proof the "American dream" is alive and well!

Arnie that sure is a super sharp cart youve got.

You is da man.

Arnie,
Glad to read your report and see your business is going well...where we are here in Jersey,a $2.50 dog is more than a fair price...they look good and you get to work and enjoy the nice view!!!!!! Best of luck and may you sell out every day!!!

Thanks for everyone's support. I'm having fun!
Arnie

Arnie
Congrats. Great looking place! Keep up your great attitude and keep us posted. Love your pix. I have a heck of a time posting pix. Just can't get it.
You go guy

Congrats Arnie!
had I been on that river,
I can't think of a single thing that would have been better than one of your dogs!
Your set up looked wonderful,
and as the mother of 2 ravenous 12 yr old boys, that was a really nice thing you did for those kids...