Questions for the Health Dept

Here is my list of questions for the health dept. IS there any thing I've forgotten?

Prepacked foods, so a hot dog and a bun and my menu is ok?

Grill, does it need to be attached to the cart or can it set beside the cart?

Can I have a griddle to cook onions and peppers.?

Do I need to get a pre approval from u before ordering a cart?

Do you allow deep fryers that are attached to the cart?

I need a list of restricted foods, because for obvious reasons my business will grow and will add items to the menu?

Does the cart need to be NSF Certified?

What is the cost from the health dept to get my cart approved?

Do I need to apply now and get some kind of pre approval?

What is the approval process and getting started step by step?

Can I have an extra cooler that is not attached to the cart for cokes, ect?

Do I need 3 or 4 sinks attached to the cart?


Do I need to store my cart at the commissary? I have to wash it there everyday? What other things am I suppose to do on daily basis at my commissary? Chop Onions ect?


Do you need to go to the commissary? Do I need to be there? I guess you would inspect my cart there?

It is easier to ask for forgiveness afterward that permission beforehand.

Be smart. Don't ask open-ended questions as "does my cart have to be NSF?" In most places they don't, but if you ask some uninformed county worker that never heard the question before, he's going to tell you "yes," just so he doesn't sound dumb. Same for all the commissary questions. Whittle your list down to just the pertinent stuff. Doesn't the Health Department where you're at have a website that lays all this out for you?

As an example, in NC you can license a cart as a push-cart and not have any sinks or water tanks at all if you're just serving dogs, sodas and chips. Coolers next to the carts are also allowed. Find out as much as you can before you go in with a laundry list of questions that they might answer "Oh yeah" to all of them. Once they say "yes" or "no," pride will often prevent them from reversing themselves, even if they know that they rightly should if you offer an objection. Good luck.

In my city, I can barely get someone to answer the phone. They answer emails about 1/2 of the time.

She said my cart can sell hot dogs only. One county near me did send me some info but it wasn't very complete. I am starting to think they don't have a clue.

Is Ven Dog and thehotdogcart (Don) the same people? There websites and the name of the carts are the same.

Anyone have any dealings with either of them?

You need to burn some shoe leather my man! You can't beat face to face communication, it will eventually solve all your problems. They want your money just as bad as you want to make it.

Turn off your computer and cell phone and go over there and get'r done. Show them some love, go in with a big A$$ smile and tell them how hard they work and how much you appreciate their help. They will help you! Nail the right person down, schedule an appointment, and come back later with all you material , plans, questions..........

Arnie

Ask your equipment suppliers and food suppliers..not the BOH