Please Someone Talk Me Off the Ledge

Hi everyone, my name is Anthony im new around here but i have been trolling the board for a little while to get info on starting my hot dog cart. I bought a cart last thursday, got permits, inspections and got the permission from the business owner to put my cart in place and all that other good stuff. That part was very basic and easy.
 
Yesterday was my first day, it was a bit of a disaster, by the time i got everything set up and the rain stopped, i ended up only out there set up for like 2 1/2 hrs. I barely did any business, like $40, which i fully expected to have a horrible day anyway so no biggie. Now today, my second day, total nightmare due to rain again, and the rest of this week is not looking good either. So here are the problems i see with myself and my location so far. 
 
First, i am from philly, and in philly a hot dog is split, grilled, drowned in cheeze wiz and chili, same thing goes for a hot sausage. With that said, i now live in florida and i plan to make the dogs and sausage exactly the way they are made back home. A problem that i am running into is that i grill the dogs, sausage, and brats and then let them sit on one of those steamer pans or whatever they are with the holes in it. The problem i am having is that the cart is to hot to leave the flame on so i am constantly shutting it off and turning it back on. Another issue is that i havent been busy at all in the short time that  it wasnt raining yesterday and today so the dogs sausage and brats just sit there. My queston is what are my other options as far as keeping them hot and fresh even tho they are grilled? 
 
Second situation, i am in a spot that on paper is PHENOMINAL, buttttttttt, in reality, i have no clue if it is actually going to work out, as of now i have a bunch of people who just stare at me as they drive by. I am at an intersection on a 10 mph industrial park road with office buildings down the one street which is one way in and one way out which forces them to pass me. The other street is the only way into and out of a landfill. In my mind, it is a fantastic location due to it being all blue collar workers with a constant flow of trash trucks all day that have to stop at the stop sign that is 8 feet from my cart. I dont know if i am over reacting after 2 rainy days, but i am wondering if the guys will stop for my cart? What are your expierences with a similar situation?  Thank you guys for any help you can give me.

I think the general consensus is that if it's raining, hot dogs typically won't sell.

Maybe hit up some of the buildings and drop off a couple menus to the receptionists so that people know you're there. Maybe give out some free dogs to people here and there.

And put a sign by your cart that says HOT DOGS <YOUR PRICE> in big bold letters.

As for keeping them hot, mine seem to do fine just sitting in the steam pan. They seem to hold just fine for at least a couple hours before they start getting ugly looking.

I'm pretty new too so that's about all I can offer.

thank you sir... when you say your dogs do pretty good in the steam pan for a couple hours.. is that with the flame on constant heat?

Tanks,
 
I hope you take this the right way. Your first day out - no one knows you from  adam, the weather was lousy and yet you still took in 40 bucks. All things considered not quite the disaster you say. Its a slow learning process. No one goes out first day or first week or even first month and hits it right off the bat. Be patient and give it time.
 
Again, I hope I havent offened you.
 
 

hippie, i didnt take offense to it at all, i appreciate the help.. i was more or so just kinda wondering if i am lieing to myself when i tell myself that all the guys just have to see me there for a couple weeks and get used to me being there and then once they see me on a regular basis they will start stopping by the cart... is that accuarate? thanks again

Its so simple, treat people right - get them to laugh and know you - put out the best product you can and price it right and before you know it you will be really enjoying your new found freedom.
 
the hardest part is the patience.
 
Im in florida also and the crummy weather is putting the brakes on my deal too.

what part of florida are you in?

disregard, i didnt look at location.. im a noob

Im about 1 1/2 hours south of orlando - used to be in ft laud and miami.

oo cool cool, i am in sarasota. do you do pretty good with your cart down here?

No cart, used to be in sub business years ago and sold it - then went into graphics business and sold it recently - moved here to retire but now Im looking to get into sub business again and was thinking I wanted a brick and mortar but have been thinking of a trailer or truck to do it out of. Found a great candidate on Craigslist. The profit margin on theses sandwiches is insane and I like the idea of being mobile. Besides this county wont let you do a cart.

oo.. yeah i lucked out over here the county i have my cart in is veryyyy verryyy easy going thank god...  Well good luck with the new venture.. thanks for your help..