I finally bought my hot dog cart!!!
 

It's not the cart of my dreams, but it will work. I got it for $2,300.

It's a steam cart, but it has a portable grill on it. I figure I can use this until I break even, then I can get something better. The guy took a photo with a Sabrett's umbrella, but didn't give me the umbrella. It's not a big deal. The handles are missing on some of the pans but the guy says to use the tongs. I may just buy new pans.

The latch on the left door at the bottom is missing so I can see this being a problem when driving. The burner on the left is missing a couple of bolts to hold it in place so it jiggles. I will replace the bolts. It's missing the connector that goes from the propane to the portable grill. I'll have to buy one if I can find it.

I've already got my spot secured and paid for. I'll be selling dogs directly across the street from the Social Security Building in an area that has one of the highest concentrations of retired people in America. I'm working on the business paperwork at the moment.

I've got to get my state license. Then I apply to get a plan reviewed by the health department. Then I get an inspection. Then my county and/or city occupational permit. I'm also talking to a lawyer and an accountant about business structure, dba, etc.

I just got offered an IT job for $40/hr down here. That's almost what I was making in Los Angeles, and it's a lot cheaper here in Florida. It is very tempting, especially because the job is from 5pm to 2am. I could still run the cart.

Here's the ad I got the cart from. Let me know what you think.


http://orlando.craigslist.org/bfs/1158363561.html


http://images.craigslist.org/3kd3o83...c63de71d03.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3n13pe3...14075512a3.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3n83pc3...3234e21c58.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3nd3p33...505da61ae9.jpg

WTF? what kind of a lay down are you?! go get your umbrella or take him on Judge Judy this instant!

The ad says the umbrella is included. C'mon Jim, I'll swing by and pick up Zip and we'll teach that shiester a lesson he won't soon forget.

Who the hell does he think he's messin' with?

The cart is awesome, Radar. I respect a man who says what he's going to do and, adversity be damned, goes out and does it. Serve hot dogs from 9:30am to 2:30pm, go home, shower up and report to the IT job at 5pm. Good man.

It's seriously not that big a deal. My uncle Manny sells Sabretts and he has extra umbrella's he can give me. It's just the point that he said it was included in the ad, and when I went to buy it, suddenly it's missing.

I should think there'd be legal restrictions on that, ie, can't sell a Sabrett's brella to anybody because they might not sell Sabrett's.

Excellent point. I'm torn between branding myself (some people are brand loyal) or not. I'm leaning toward not branding and just getting a nice red & white umbrella.

If you brand yourself, they give you free things like umbrella's, signs, menus, etc. especially if you brand with Vienna Beef. They give you everything.

Sabretts are a bit less generous, but they do have the red onion sauce a lot of people seem to love.

If I don't brand, I don't get screwed if Sabretts or Vienna decide to raise prices. I can just switch brands.

On the advice of a very intelligent man I know, I was considering using Thumann's dogs, but they only sell 8/1 dogs. They don't have footlongs, or quarter pounders. This means I'd have to sell 2 different brands or only sell regular dogs...which might turn out to be better anyway.

if you're gonna market your brand, put your Dante's Devil Dogs Logo on the Umbrella.

oh, and congrats, man.....that's freaking awesome!

Thanks. Now if I can only get a van with a tow hitch. :)

For some reason I thought you were somehow comparing yourself to Ignacious... but I see you are serious... in which case I must add...

Hebrew national have ALWAYS been my favorite and were the only dogs I went for in NYC when I lived there. Are you going to grill your dogs or will they be "Dirty water dogs?"

I would prefer to have a flat grill like I originally intended. I think the smell of grilled dogs, onions, peppers, Italian sausages, brats, etc. brings a crowd.

For now, they will be dirty water dogs.

Good for you Radar. I hope it all works out exactly as you'd like it to. :)

congratulations radar. don't get discouraged with all the little hurdles, you're living the dream.

Thank you all.

We bought a house cash and it will close on Thursday. We'll have no credit card payments, no house payments, no car payments, etc. and will be able to get by on very little, but will be able to save a lot if I make a lot. :)

That cart looks great! Good job Radar. It's really coming along now.

This is awesome, Radar. I say take the IT job, get a firm financial foundation under you and your family, and build the dog business slowly, with a plan and a goal. In three or four years, pay others to run your fleet of carts, and live like a king.

You go, dude. Oh. And get a custom Devil Dog umbrella made. Trust me on this.