  Bigcab Member Username: Bigcab Post Number: 13 Registered: 08-2006 |
So...I bought a Hot Dog Cart on ebay, traveled to sunny Florida to pick it up with the intent to operate it in Detroit.I will need a high foot traffic location,and it has to be at least 500 feet away from an establishment that sells hot dogs (no parking it in front of Lafayette Coney •• Where would YOU put a hot dog cart ? | ||
Pgn421 Member Username: Pgn421 Post Number: 297 Registered: 02-2005 |
Bigcab- I was in Fla recently, looking into the same operation.Changed my mind too much politics down there. Anyhow, when the weather is nice id put it on the Riverwalk, if i could. Is licensing hard to get here? | ||
321brian Member Username: 321brian Post Number: 543 Registered: 02-2006 |
Move it from place to place depending on what is going on. I don't think there is one place you can count on for steady business every day. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 998 Registered: 03-2006 |
Your going to have to be a nomad. Tiger games, summer festivals things like that. If you pick your spots and times you could do ok. Does the city allow you to move around or do you have to pick a spot and stay their? | ||
Lo_to_d Member Username: Lo_to_d Post Number: 41 Registered: 07-2007 |
maybe somewhere by the DMC? | ||
Pgn421 Member Username: Pgn421 Post Number: 298 Registered: 02-2005 |
In Florida, Ft.Myers, you have a mobile permit and a stationary permit. But, they are not issuing any more permits. They do not allow you to sell dogs along the beach.Plus, i talked to a couple vendors, and they both said business is down. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 999 Registered: 03-2006 |
I always liked the Hot dog girls in FLorida. They would station themselves on the side of a highway, wearing skimpy outfits and bending over a lot. The old geezers loved that | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 900 Registered: 01-2006 |
If allowed, somewhere on the WSU campus. I cannot tell you how many times I've needed a cheap meal on the go and not had time to stop in to anywhere to pick something up. | ||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 717 Registered: 11-2005 |
Also eastern market saturdays. | ||
Pgn421 Member Username: Pgn421 Post Number: 300 Registered: 02-2005 |
Big Cab- Have you found out about licensing,health dept,food handler license? Eastern Market sounds good. How about Belle Isle? | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 1801 Registered: 03-2006 |
WSU is a good idea | ||
Bigcab Member Username: Bigcab Post Number: 14 Registered: 08-2006 |
Pgn421 : No license yet...I'm anticipating a typical bureaucratic type nightmare. BUT the cart is brand new with 4 sinks on the side. Detroit Star and Chitaku : Any specifics on the WSU location idea ? Must be City Sidewalk or private property with owner permission. Good intersection with high foot traffic.Thanks for the replies so far | ||
Tiorted Member Username: Tiorted Post Number: 115 Registered: 02-2006 |
i'd put the cart here: 0%2C9.698639944750878http://ma ps.google.com/maps?q=&ie=UTF8& ll=42.359234%2C-83.065256&spn= 0.005502%2C0.013561&z=17&om=0& layer=c&cbll=42.356471%2C-83.0 65735&cbp=2%2C340.128865929362 63%2C,0%2C9.698639944750878,ht tp://maps.google.com/maps?q=&i e=UTF8&ll=42.359234,-83.065256 &spn=0.005502,0.013561&z=17&om =0&layer=c&cbll=42.356471,-83. 065735&cbp=2,340.1288659293626 3,,0,9.698639944750878http://m aps.google.com/maps?q=&ie=UTF8 &ll=42.359234,-83.065256&spn=0 .005502,0.013561&z=17&om=0&lay er=c&cbll=42.356471,-83.065735 &cbp=2,340.12886592936263,,0,9 .698639944750878 | ||
Bigcab Member Username: Bigcab Post Number: 15 Registered: 08-2006 |
Tiorted..Wow nice ! I like the way you think ! | ||
Pgn421 Member Username: Pgn421 Post Number: 301 Registered: 02-2005 |
BigCab- Keep us posted! Im always in the mood for a dog! | ||
Bigcab Member Username: Bigcab Post Number: 16 Registered: 08-2006 |
pgn - me too..Hopefully I'll get sick of them from being around the hot dogs so much, otherwise Im gonna weigh 600lbs. So far WSU looks good. I wonder if the Florida vendors were trying to steer You wrong to keep the competition away ? | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1424 Registered: 09-2007 |
Try Woodward and Warren or the Financial District. | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 96 Registered: 11-2007 |
Pick up a newspaper and find out when the big concerts are and stand outside the venue when they get out. This goes for big shows at Small venues that don't serve food too. | ||
Rjk Member Username: Rjk Post Number: 1011 Registered: 11-2003 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =7v5ytejpW98 | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 901 Registered: 01-2006 |
Anthony Wayne Dr. right outside the residence halls is always an extremely busy pedestrian area. I'm not sure if that is a public or private sidewalk though. Also Cass Ave just North of Warren. | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 230 Registered: 11-2007 |
If allowed I would move around at the foot of major office buildings different days of the week. i.e. Penobscot folks know - Tuesday is hot dog day! Every corner in Toronto is licensed. Eventually, if the city allows unrestricted movement, you'll have turf wars. | ||
Dan Member Username: Dan Post Number: 1491 Registered: 10-2003 |
Get a metro times, and watch the clubs. When there are not sporting events the clubs can supply allot of business, thought you have to hang out till 2am. Concerts might be easier, State Theater's line, St. Andrews, etc. | ||
Dan Member Username: Dan Post Number: 1492 Registered: 10-2003 |
Will you have tofu dogs? | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1389 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have an idea... I'm a photographer and I am at clubs all over southeast Michigan. The BEST location I have seen is outside of clubs at 2:00AM if you are looking to make some money at night as well. Elysium (on Shelby and Congress)has a vendor there and it is PACKED EVERY Friday and Saturday night. Tiki Bob's and Visions in Pontiac is packed as well. They used to sell pizzas outside of The Emerald in Mt. Clemens which did very well. I would assemble a small crew of maybe 3-4 people that night for staffing needs as well as security and cater to the crowds of people starving after a night of drinking and dancing. Shoot me a message offline and we can rap more kevin at crushmediagroup dot com | ||
Pgn421 Member Username: Pgn421 Post Number: 302 Registered: 02-2005 |
BigCab- send me an email pgn421@comcast.net | ||
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin Post Number: 5459 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ok I know off-topic but Vizion since I now know that you are a photographer, can I speak with you on some photographic issues? You can email me @ detroitstylin2000 at yahoo dot com | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 7493 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bigcab, You'll love the hoops you'll be jumping through with the City. First off, you'll be limited to a single location, pick wisely, although you will probably find many locations are already reserved by someone or otherwise "unavailable". I looked into setting up a cart a few years ago, and decided bartending was a bit more lucrative. Good luck with the venture and let us know your location. I might suggest another use for your cart, while you dance with the City for all the approvals necessary. Rent yourself out for birthday parties, picnics golf outings, street fairs, etc. Eliminates some of the onerous burdens and restrictions the City demands and you have the luxury of a single check guaranteed. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1391 Registered: 11-2003 |
Don't just limit yourself to Detroit look @ some of the surrounding cities that have a business district. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2093 Registered: 11-2003 |
Check out the hot dog cart in GPW in front of Alexander and Polen on Mack. That baby gets a lot of business, especially in the summer time. It's practically a landmark now. | ||
Pgn421 Member Username: Pgn421 Post Number: 303 Registered: 02-2005 |
Yeah,They own the store. Im surprised GPW hasnt said anything. Being it on the sidewalk. Frank the owner probably made a deal. | ||
Dannaroo Member Username: Dannaroo Post Number: 183 Registered: 05-2006 |
I would love for there to be a hot dog cart around WSU. I would recommend somewhere on Cass around Warren or on Third across from the parking lots/garages. I think on Cass though would probably get a lot more foot traffic right there with Barnes & Noble, Marwill, Old Main, State Hall... | ||
Bigcab Member Username: Bigcab Post Number: 17 Registered: 08-2006 |
Jams: The City has voted on approving more vending locations : http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20080115/NEW S01/80115045/1003/NEWS01 | ||
Fareastsider Member Username: Fareastsider Post Number: 795 Registered: 08-2006 |
St Cyril & Erbie Street | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 7498 Registered: 10-2003 |
Glad to see that. Wish the best for you, and hope you will have sauerkraut and mustard to top those dogs. Although, I also like that nuclear green relish and pickles of the Chicago-style dogs. | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 409 Registered: 04-2004 |
Kind of off topic, but I always loved the battle between two hot dog vendors in the heart of U of M's central campus. Right across the street from each other at the crosswalks. I can only imagine how ticked the first vendor was when competition showed up one day. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 695 Registered: 04-2006 |
toss a couple of tofu dogs on that bad boy and i'll come a runnin'... seriously... I think if you had just a couple tofu dogs on the cart you'd get a little extra business.. healthy folk and vegetarians... not enough of that kind of food in detroit! - andy | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 999 Registered: 07-2007 |
Another vicious battle between entrepreneurs.This is one battle the government can't resolve. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 1193 Registered: 10-2003 |
The first thing that you want to do is to contact the DPD to make sure that they are not going to bring back the mounted patrols in any of these areas... you don't want to put the cart before the horse! | ||
Edziu Member Username: Edziu Post Number: 26 Registered: 07-2007 |
Hamtramck, Just be sure they are halal. | ||
Bigcab Member Username: Bigcab Post Number: 19 Registered: 08-2006 |
Edziu I get the halal joke,,but do you think Hamtramck would be a good spot ? for real ? | ||
65memories Member Username: 65memories Post Number: 515 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dannaroo beat me to it...Wayne State, in front of State Hall. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1431 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wayne State on the Northwest Corner of Cass and Warren. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1432 Registered: 11-2003 |
Oh wait... 500 ft from a place that sells Hotdogs... Thats too close to the Coney place on the Southeast Corner. I guess I'd measure up Cass until the point where you are 500 ft away. If thats in front of State Hall, that would be great. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2102 Registered: 11-2003 |
Was it the Jack Benny or the Fred Allan radio show that had Mr. Kitzel, the Jewish hot dog vendor? He would chant in his best Yiddish accent: "Pickle in the middle and the mustard on top. Just the way you like 'em and ther're always hot!". I am leaning toward Benny. Ask your grandparents. Winner gets a free dog at the GPW Alex/Polen hot dog stand on Mack. | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 645 Registered: 06-2005 |
Have you considered a spot outside the 36th District Court on Madison or the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice Bldg.? There's lots of regularly occurring coming and going at those locations. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 1194 Registered: 10-2003 |
Would you care for some mustard with your last meal sir? | ||
Jman Member Username: Jman Post Number: 111 Registered: 10-2006 |
Jack Benny with Artie Auerbach as Mr. Kitzel the Hot Dog Man. Would you mind buying me a hot dog on the westside? (Message edited by Jman on January 27, 2008) | ||
Bigcab Member Username: Bigcab Post Number: 20 Registered: 08-2006 |
Neilr: I had to pay a ticket a few years back at 36th...remember long lines of people waiting to pay too (inside) Great idea ! Seems like you would have the people and the workers too. Year round trade also. I wonder if WSU would have a slow season (Summer ?) Thanks for your input. | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 1006 Registered: 07-2007 |
Too late there already is a dog stand in front of the 36th. Put it in front of Comerica during baseball season, wait, better not, Illitch might have the DP vice squad arrest you for selling hot dogs too cheap. | ||
Scooter2k7 Member Username: Scooter2k7 Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2007 |
Anyplace is a good place fot a hot dog stand | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2103 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks Jman---Jack Benny and Mr. Kitzel. A fine combination. Yes, I could venture over to the west side. Seems to me the last time I was there, I was looking at a new DeSoto at the dealership on Livernois. So its been a while.I think there is a hot dog stand in front of the Montgomery Wards store in Dearborn, just East of city hall. Again, its been a while. | ||
93typhoon Member Username: 93typhoon Post Number: 41 Registered: 04-2006 |
Set up shop on the riverwalk in front of the ren-cen. On a sunny day there are lots of folks out there and nothing to eat or drink. | ||
Edziu Member Username: Edziu Post Number: 27 Registered: 07-2007 |
Hamtramck has a lot of bars and a lot of people with the munchies after they close. But this is mainly on Fri.and Sat. Genie's Wienies did one heck of a business. They are gone now. There is a need, in my opinion for a late night, cheap eatery in Hamtramck. However Bigcab I don't know if a hot dog stand would fill the bill. You would do okay in the middle of July, but what about the middle of February? If somehow you could get permission to set up in or near a factory like the Poletown plant I am sure you would do well. In Europe there are a lot of walk up sandwich, gyros etc. eateries. The kitchen portion is enclosed and people just walk up to a window and have a sandwich prepared while they wait. These always seem busy, even in the wee hours. I would think you want to locate where there is a lot of foot traffic and students. Hamtramck is in need, but there would be a lot more foot traffic around WSU or near the ren cen. I don't know why White Castle doesn't set up shop in Hamtramck. | ||
Newport1128 Member Username: Newport1128 Post Number: 160 Registered: 05-2007 |
Bigcab, just a few practical questions: How will you transport your cart to wherever you're going to keep it during off-hours? Parking a van or truck in some locations could be a problem. Unless you have a partner, who will watch the cart while one of you gets the transport vehicle? Finally, what are the chances of getting robbed, especially if you're out there by yourself? | ||
Bushay Member Username: Bushay Post Number: 121 Registered: 05-2005 |
There used to be a guy set up in front of the Farmer Jacks on Jefferson and St. Jean. He made a killing. I used to chat with him on a regular basis as I have an older cart myself. He got more business by word of mouth in front of that supermarket than he could handle. The store is of course now closed and he unfortunatly has passed away but he used to tell me that he was approached and eventually set up at St. Andrews hall on the weekends. He told me it was a gold mine but he had to be there when the crowds got out at 2 am and he said it was extreamely dangerous. He ended up pulling out of there. | ||
Jman Member Username: Jman Post Number: 112 Registered: 10-2006 |
Rock, I know what you mean. The last time I had lunch on the eastside was at a brand new restaurant. If I remember correctly the name was something like Al Greene's On The Hill. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 2104 Registered: 11-2003 |
Good spot, too! Al Greene was featured in the local paper recently. Then there was Huck's Lakeshore, the Bronze Door and The Golden Lion. No hot dog carts in front of those places I can assure you. |
