Tallen got me to rethink
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Topic: Tallen got me to rethink
Posted By: oldsoldier
Subject: Tallen got me to rethink
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 8:53am
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I went down to the County/City building to see on a permit for a 'meal' cart. Per the city regulation a cart 'meal' must consist of a minimum of three items, a meat or vegatable substitute main item, a bread or starch, and a vegatable. So I asked if a New York Style Hot Dog conforms. A Kosher Hebrew National Hot Dog/or Nathan's Beef Hot Dog, a standard 8 in hot dog roll, and the vegatable consisting of sauerkraut, pickle relish, and chopped onion.
The nice lady looked the items up and it conforms to the regulation. Idiotic but true here in Lincoln, NE Found a top of the line hot dog cart on line for $2500, a tow behind propane powered boilers. Perfect for NYC 'dirty water' hot dog prep. Then consulted my VA disability rep, proposed the idea of a part time (lunch only) bussiness venture. Again looked at regulations and I can 'work' under certian conditions. Can not stand or sit for long periods, OK I bring along a bag chair or bar stool. Can only 'work' 20 hours per week, OK 1030-1330 per day times 5 days so 15 hours. So we are looking at a Momma owned (minority owned tax breaks) "New York Dirty Dogs" Hot Dogs with a NY Attitude (my attitude, served to you my way, deal with it, scrape off what you don't like.) Also looking at a "Green and Red", standard NY Jewish Deli breakfast and snack bagel. Everything bagel, cream cheese, green olives, slice of red onion. Can be pre-made night before. Permit cost $500 annual, cost per dog with a 15% profit $1.75(unbelievable the low cost of bulk HN or Nathan's hot dogs shipped from east coast), Bagel $1.50, permit for spot near County City building $25 (no fast food or convienient store options in close walking distance so I will 'corner' walk up market. So VA will provide initial re-hab start up cost of forgiveable loan (show profit for two years cost totally written off, no payments for 24 months)for $2500 cart. Just a good freezer for bulk storage, a few inspections and we are up and running. Burger joints abound, standard fast food options all over, not a hot dog joint in town. Creating a little bit of home, give myself something to do, and transplant a little of NYC to downtown Lincoln, all good things. Now just have to brain game for potention problems then may dive in in August. Also can bring cart to State Fair, sporting events (Husker games will bring a fortune), concerts (the ticket wait line crowd), so far no real negatives in the way. Employees would be Momma and step daughter, so again low overhead. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: Ceesman762
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 9:00am
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Make sure you put the fore arm hairs in the water before boiling the dogs and speak with a thick accent that no one will understand.
------------- Innocence proves nothing FUAC!!!!! |
Posted By: Dune
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 9:59am
| 1. Get a very large meal truck. 2. Call it "For Those About to Wok." 3. Park outside college bars Wed-Sat, 8:00PM-3:30AM. 4. Play heavy metal music while cooking food with musical puns (i.e. Pan-tera Cakes). 5. Deep fry anything. 6. Profit. |
Posted By: High Voltage
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 11:05am
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There is a guy in town with a cart. I occasionally see him near the tower but have never stopped by to purchase a dog. Sounds like fun, OS. Good luck with sales. ------------- 
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Posted By: mbro
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 12:12pm
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I say round up to $2.00/dog. I doubt a quarter will really ding down sales much plus then you and customers don't have to deal with change, only bills.
What is the nightlife scene like in lincoln? You could hire a local kid to work for minimum wage + tips to work from midnight to 3am Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Bar close traffic is killer for street vendors with the right location. ------------- 
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos. |
Posted By: agentwhale007
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 12:32pm
| BAM HOTDOGS. |
Posted By: little devil
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 12:39pm
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Hot dog carts are a dime a dozen around here and t.o.
All have added sausages(mild, hot and garlic/honey garlic). For the people who want a little less mystery in there bags of meat.
Some offer sauted onions, some have made there own special sauces and stuff.
And all the onion, hot pepper, olives, relish and condiments are for the customers to put on.
The thing that has me going to the same cart at lunch is the sauted onions, special sauces and they will put it in a styrofoam container for transport, Somthing most places wont do, which leaves you juggling if you are picking up more than one dog.
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Posted By: oldsoldier
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 12:55pm
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Right now just in infant planning stage. There are no carts of any type in Lincoln, due to a lot of idiotic regulations and permits. Since it is a 'hobby' income, I am better suited to run at a low profit, will not support a family income need in any way, manner or form. May expand as market requires/demands, but as of now the simple quick NYC 'dirty water' dog will do the job.
Was also looking at the NY stuffed Dill, hollow out large dill pickle (special dowl tool needed), roll a piece of ham, sharp cheddar, and hot mustard,and insert roll into pickle. Lincoln is a pretty plain Jane food enviornment, not hard on any spiciness, dark or spicey mustard is a rarity, that yellow French's 'stuff' is the norm. Bar/Night life near UNL campus is pretty heavy, wander home food is pretty expensive. Also thought of a store front 'dollar' dogs near campus at one time. -------------
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Posted By: agentwhale007
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 1:05pm
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I know you know this but I'll reiterate what has been said in this thread: Hit up the late-night college crowd. They've got money in their pockets as they went out prepared to drink, and they've most likely got the drunk-munch cravings. There are two food-carts here that do rather well by being near the bar area. Granted, this is podunk town for the most part with not a lot of late-night food options, but I believe they get solid customers regardless. One is a burrito place and one sells quasi-Middle Eastern food. There is also a sandwich cart that started setting up, calling itself "Epic Sandwiches," but I've yet to try it. Maybe bravecoward has. |
Posted By: Benjichang
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 1:28pm
-------------  irc.esper.net #paintball |
agentwhale007 wrote:Posted By: FreeEnterprise
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 1:42pm
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Cool OS. Should be fun and a learning experience to help enlighten others on the burdens of running your own business while dealing with all of the regulations and hoops you have to jump through.
I don't like the name though.
"dirty" should not be in the name of a street vender...
How about "Ain't Yo Momma's Hot Dogs"...
Or "Soldier Dog's".
Also, many people don't carry cash (I never do anymore) so being able to accept credit is important. many phones can be adapted to accept credit card transactions. ------------- They tremble at my name... 
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Posted By: Ceesman762
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 1:46pm
Dirtywater Dog carts in NYC don't have CC machines...and they are on every corner of the Big Apple. ------------- Innocence proves nothing FUAC!!!!! |
Posted By: agentwhale007
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 1:54pm
There is a bit of a difference between New York City and Lincoln, Nebraska, in almost every aspect, though. I think people can get away with it in New York City because of the popularity of the carts themselves. In an area where a hot-dog cart is unfamiliar it's probably better to assume most customers want to use plastic. FE's right - there are applications for smart phones now specifically for reading debit/credit cards while vending. They're normally set up by the bank you choose to run the business through. I'd still put a tip jug out though. Some of the drinking crowd will have cash (I still like to pay tabs in cash) and will drop change off in the bucket. I do, however, think the name "Dirty" is fine. The kids now-a-days like ironic things. I don't think it'd be a turnoff as much as an icebreaker to get people to the stand. |
Posted By: Ceesman762
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 1:56pm
It must be Authentic, OS practice a thick Middle Eastern accent. ------------- Innocence proves nothing FUAC!!!!! |
Posted By: mbro
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 2:03pm
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Maybe Grouchy Dogs: Hot dogs with an attitude. That way you have a gimmick and you get to be an ass to your customers as part of the experience. -------------
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos. |
Posted By: Ceesman762
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 2:04pm
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Isnt there a hotdog stand like that in Chicago?
------------- Innocence proves nothing FUAC!!!!! |
Posted By: FreeEnterprise
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 2:13pm
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I would tie the name in some way to your military service... Everyone wants to support a veteran, especially one with as many cool stories that you have. ------------- They tremble at my name...
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Posted By: jmac3
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 2:43pm
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Board of health and a portable sink will most likely be necessary. ------------- Que pasa? 
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Posted By: DaveEllis
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 5:00pm
The Weiners Circle
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Posted By: kickinwing2010
Date Posted: 30 June 2011 at 5:12pm
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If you actually go through with this I will have to come down and visit you. ------------- 
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Posted By: SSOK
Date Posted: 01 July 2011 at 1:19pm
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The NY Hotdog Nazi NO DOG FOR YOU ------------- 
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