hot diggity dog

I have decided to pack up my Woody Herman, BG and TD cds (and a whole bunch more) and head for North Carolina. I plan to open the best hot dog joint in Western Carolina. A first class, gourmet, hot dog stand. Bon appetit, y'all.

One the Stern's, the Rushmore's, the Mayor, Grampy and
even ol'Sundance would drive a few miles to visit. Since hot dogs are not the main source of road food in Western North Carolina, am I making a mistake??????

Well that being said, what products, what brand hot dog, what stuff would you recommend for sale to all those poor lonely North Carolinians traveling on there appointed rounds ?????

Am I completely round the bend considering such a venture?????????

We were on our way back from Florida this weekend and it was lunch time in North Carolina. All I could think about was a good hot dog............and no place to get one. I cannot believe that there is no place along the Route 95 corridor to get a decent dog. HOwever, I do not know how well one would do selling hot dogs in the land of chain restaurants and "que".

Where abouts in Western NC are you talking??? Charlotte NC is a very large financial center (stock trading)(my niece just left a job with Wachovia's stock department there), hence a lot of NY transplants. You may just have a winner in downtown Charlotte. You leave that area though & your on your own.

its very simple. wherever you go, well made hot dogs are a great seller.

Mr. Mariner: Western, NC is consist of mountains. The only sizeable city large enough to afford your gourmet dogs is Ashville. Almost every other small town is very oriented toward tourist but not a large population.

Keep us apprised of your plans.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Better yet, amend your plans and open your stand in Nashville!

I was planning on a little stretch of Rte 26 between Asheville and Hendersonville. A lot of people going by, a lot of guys in trucks of all sizes, and not a hot dog in site. Lunch time just might be a good time to have one of those little hot dog vending trailers parked by the side of the road. I know a southern gentleman (giving him the benefit of the doubt on that gentleman title) who would sell boiled peanuts right along side. What a "Dynamic Duo". Sleep late, work a few hours and head home for a nap. All those dogs not eaten by the customers will be eaten by the proprietor et al.

I cooked up some Boar's Head dogs on Sunday---had the whole dang family over and they all loved 'em. Long ones that stuck out of the roll's on both ends. Slap a little, or a lot, of yeller mustard and some kraut on 'em and that will carry anybody through to supper time.

Sundance, if you and Butch Cassidy and Davy Crockett want to come over from Tennessee you will be honored guests and get the best seats in the house. I'll get an old beach umbrella and have it planted in just the right spot to keep the noonday sun off-a-y'all.

Mr. Mariner: I misunderstood your mission. I thought you were going to do the gourmet hot dog thing but it seems that you are going to do a hot dog stand. Regardless, you could probably do well. I know the area you are discussing very well as I have made the trip from Knoxville to Ashville to SC many times. Winter traffic ain't the best. Not a lot of hot dog places around the Ashville area. I suggest you get in an area where traffic is enormous

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

I beleive most hot dogs are gourmet when made the proprieters way! Good luck on your venture! Just make sure you have a darn good chili sauce, and good crisp kosher dill pickles! Those are my biggest pet peeves when visiting a stand... A variety of different mustards wont hurt either.. But in my book, build a good dog and they will come...

Eventually Sundancer. Gotta take baby steps or I might fall on my face. Maybe I'll get Grampy to open on the other side of the boiled peanuts gentleman and "Have a Martini, with your peanuts and a dog or two." for lunch business going on. The "Dynamic Duo becomes a trio"-----add a little Count Basie music pouring out from the loudspeakers. Dancing out back by the "little house"............. "Build it and they will come".

Uncle Vic, I don't know is kosher dills are allowed south of the Mason-Dixon line, at least until you get to Boca Raton.

ChezKatie, it will be a long drive from I-95 but it will be worth it. Mountain views, fresh air, and great dogs. Put your feet up and relax. Bon appetit.

After closer scrutiny, I am beginning to think just a real nice Martini site by the side of the road would do well in the Asheville area. At least I would prefer to take home the remnants of the day from the Martini trailer than the boiled peanuts and hot dog trailer.