HotDog Cart advice in Tampa

I am located in the Tampa, Florida area and would appreciate the advice of others that may be in the know.

I purchased a really nice hot dog cart months ago and am wanting to get it up and running.

I have the paperwork and but have not started the process yet.

I wish to do it all properly.

I need to find a commissary and read on here about someone that was opening a real one here in Tampa. Did that ever happen?

Is there anyone out there that is already in operation in the Tampa area that would not mind assisting me along the proper routes in order to get it up and running?

Thank You,

try contacting genewj. He's a member here, lives in the tampa area, and is a wealth of info. Have you decided what type of commissary you are looking for. If you are looking for a non-profit such as the Elks or VFW you will be limiting to what you can cook.

James,
For a plain old hot dog, it's hard to beat Lykes.
Good luck with your venture. You might do especially well in Ybor City, but you already know that.
Upcountry A Ways, Ort. Carlton in Amazing Athens, Georgia.
P. S. We have quite a few successful hot dog vendors here. After all, Athens is quite the "party town," so there are plenty of hungry college students (and visitors) out on the downtown streets practically every night.
P. P. S. All my Carlton kin are from inland below Tampa in interior Florida. I've been all over Tampa in my day, hunting thrift stores.

For some reason, I regard Lykes with the likes (no pun intended) with Ball Park or Oscar Meyer. I can't get Vienna or Thurmann's in Fl but I am able to get Sebrett's and Best Kosher. Maybe I need to re-visit Lykes

There are places serving Vienna Beef all over the Tampa Bay area. I'm sure they must be getting them locally.

Give this a try, these are wholesale provisions:

Thumann's Provisions
200 Sarasota Center Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34240
(941) 377-2485

Vienna Beef Ltd
2650 Corporate Way
Palmetto, FL , 34221-8480
Phone: 941-723-7234
FAX: 941-723-7235

mhill95, thanks so much. I'm going to contact them. I can't find either brand at my local Publix or Costco in the entire state!

When are you getting up and running in Tampa?

You might think about a dry run at the race in Sebring ... there hasn't been a viable dog there in years. I went to a dog place there last year and they threw my dog in the microwave, cold bun, condiments in little foil wrappers. (Yes, it got throwed away after one bite.)

I go to the races in Sebring every year and you're right wheregreggeats, there isn't a good dog around. I do know that it is very expensive to be a part of the entire event. last year the Lowes lady had her cart there serving boiled dogs (not too bad in a pinch) but she was charging 4 bucks for a dog that looked like a Ballpark. I do have to disagree with you though on one point. I don't think that an event that large is a place to do a dry run. It's long hours and a ton of people. Maybe starting out doing a bike show, craft fair etc. would be a nice place to get your feet wet.

quote:

Originally posted by DandyDog

I go to the races in Sebring every year and you're right wheregreggeats, there isn't a good dog around. I do know that it is very expensive to be a part of the entire event. last year the Lowes lady had her cart there serving boiled dogs (not too bad in a pinch) but she was charging 4 bucks for a dog that looked like a Ballpark. I do have to disagree with you though on one point. I don't think that an event that large is a place to do a dry run. It's long hours and a ton of people. Maybe starting out doing a bike show, craft fair etc. would be a nice place to get your feet wet.

My main dog consumption at Sebring is (are?) the corn dogs at the end of the concession area.

You're right, it was naive to think of that as a "dry run."

My fave for corn dogs is inside of the pit (paddock) area right by where the cars come off the track. There's also a pretty good pizza concession on the midway, however these vendors can't choose their locations so it may change from race to race. They charge about 3-4 dollars for a pretty good slice. Trust me, I know all the food vendors....even the VFW beer concession. There's a HUGE smoker of sorts by Jonesville Sausage but I've never gone there. We have a reserved RV spot that we've had for over 25+ years (although it hasn't always been required to pay for)so we always do our own smoking....meats that is......it's a joint effort by all of us ol' farts....If you're in the area this March, we are on Turn 6 and we're a family of about 60....just ask for Patty. You might have to remind me of your Roadfood affiliation though!!!!! There's a lot of Foodies there that like to pull out our Big Guns!!!! Any suggestions that might bring them to their knees????

Oh by the way... we are left of turn 6 before you cross the bridge..............see you there