The hotdog seller's story final chapter

Lodz, Poland. That's pronounced "wood-je". Probably the best hotdogs (paroufke)- my Polish isn't what it should be. I ever came across came from Poland. The best hotdogs I ever had in Germany were German, The best hotdogs I ever had in Denmark were Danish, the best Frankfurters I ever had in Switzerland were Swiss but the best hotdogs/franks I ever had were handmade in Poland (by a lady with mustache, in the barn). These franks hung in chains from hooks (after being seriously smoked). Handmade hot dogs! Wow! I got an opportunity to do American HotDogs (the first time anywhere in Poland) but I used these Polish franks for a Dutch/English Company that opened a Burger King replica (Restaurantje Bonanza - Catchy huh) located at Lodz Railway Station. Poles eat dogs with mustard and bun on the side (for that matter so do the Germans, Swiss and Danish). Now, what amazed me was just how the "Wow Factor" comes into play when you add that "American Touch" to 'em. I took the best of what they had and value added. A great experience and the Poles are a lot of fun (although Lodz was a bit grotty).

Wow factor; I served a footlong to our American Clientele at the American School in London's little league season. This kid (accompanied by "Mom") came up to the stand, orders his dog (mustard & ketchup - living on the edge, I think). I serve it to him with spare napkin (good PR). He walks away but "Mom" says "Timmy (I'm going with Timmy as I don't remember his name but Timmy'll do) what do you say to the nice Ameircan Boy with the college education sitting on this barren field with Wormwood Scrubs Prison in the background).....Timmy says: "Wow".......Wow says it all. Wow makes me warm and fuzzy. Wow is exactly the righ answer. Wow is why I do it. Forget finding a cure for Cancer, forget solving society's ills, forget unrest in various parts of the world, all worthy, noble ambitions.....but "Wow" just makes my day.

So where does it go from here? I'm really hoping on "Being the purveyor of Fine Frankfurters in the US." It scary cause I'm already the one and only Real American Hot Dog Co. in the UK but if I'd wanted 20 years of hard labor, I'd have robbed a bank. I also am the Managing Director of the UK's one and only "neighborhood" restaurant (Port of Call International Grill) featuring great dogs, great chargrilled burgers, burritos, the whole enchilada, grilled tuna sandwiches, oven baked sandwiches and the rest but am about to sell. I was back in New Orleans (my hometown) over Christmas (with a visit to my brother in Chicago - Great town also, and believe it or not I missed it. So, I'm gonna expand "Skip's Hot Dog Empire" sometime in the near future. Don't know how, don't know when. I've enjoyed writing these "short stories" to remind me of all the fun I've had doing what I've been doing. If anyone has taken the time to read my "drivel" I hope I haven't bored them to tears. I enjoyed 'em.

Skip Murray
The Real American Hot Dog Co. London UK (for now)