Virginia Distributor for Sabretts, etc?

You all surely don't remember me, but about 6 months ago I was inquiring on setting up a hot dog cart. Well, things are starting to move along, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a Virginia source for Sabretts, or other quality brand dog available in this area.

I of course am checking with the food distributors, etc. but thought I'd ask anyway on this site due to your help earlier.

Also, as a starter, what are your opinions for the best toppings for a good dog?
I of course have what I think is a decent idea for them, but I respect your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

I live in NYC and always thought of Sabrett as a New York (i.e., local) product. It's the "standard" hot dog for New York hot dog carts, but a lot of carts also serve Hebrew National, which I believe is available nationally -- and, more important, is, in my opinion, of much higher quality and better-tasting.

For toppings, all New York carts have mustard, sauerkraut, and a kind of onions-in-red-sauce (also made by Sabrett). I would love to find a cart that serves fresh, chopped onions, especially sweet (Vidalia) onion. I also am very happy when I can find a cart that also has relish; most New York carts don't. And chili. Very few New York carts have chili and, invariably, it's Mexican-type chili with beans. I would love to find a cart that has Coney-style no-bean chili or sauce. A cart that served a standard Coney Island hot dog, with mustard, Coney sauce and chopped onion, would be heaven. And I suppose a Chicago dog -- with pickle, lettuce, tomato, sport pepper and celery salt might be nice, too.

Another option would be checking into the Vienna Beef brand. Sysco may distribute them in your area.
Here in Michigan we have the Kogels brand which is not bad (especially their 8/1 natural casing viennas)..

As for the toppings, considering your from Va. You may want to offer slaw.. For me, Chili is a must (with or without beans, it makes no difference to me - but normally the beans are pureed into the mix).. Then your basics of relish, pickles, FRESH diced onions, an assortment of mustards (yellow deli, stadium, brown, dijon) and Kraut is nice to have! Either the cooked and seasoned variety or straight out of the jar variety... I've yet to try the cooked onions as mentioned above (thin sliced onions in tomato sauce with a little seasoning), but thats an east coast thing and not available anywhere around here... Though Ketchup (Catsup) is a no no by many folks, I'd have some of that on hand for folks that dont care about the no no rule... (Heinz)..


Send me your email addy and I'll send ya my dream list for a stand!

Steve,
Sabrett makes only 2 recipes, spicy all beef referred to here, and a lesser used beef/pork dog. The all beef dog, which they are famous for, and what you more than likely had comes in either skinless or natural casing versions. But they come in different sizes, and this makes a difference in the product's texture and consistency. I've talked to people who sell Sabrett's at carts and I've tried them at various places. The skinless dogs and the larger natural casing dogs do tend to be a little mushy. The smaller 11 and 12's have a tight casing, but they are too small for my taste. The one I prefer for texture and casing are the 10's. These are served at some of the better carts and are grilled at Papaya King and Gray's Papaya in N.Y.

Sabrett is thought of and promoted by distributors as a New York dog. However, Sabrett originated in Jersey City, N.J. I believe the plant was on or near Henderson and Coles Street. Roadfood member poundpod has posted about this in the past. Sabrett was sold; maybe more than once, and is now owned by Marathon Enterprises of East Rutherford, N.J. The franks are produced in a factory in the Bronx. I believe it is the Stahl- Meyer plant.