I spent a week in San Diego about 10 years ago and fell in love with southern California. Unfortunately, my wife is a confirmed mid westerner and I resigned myself long ago to the fact that I’ll never live out my California dream. So imagine how I felt when this came across my desktop today…
- Long Beach, California
“I have a superior quality Hot Dog Cart for sale . I also have a location that can be transferred . The only one in the city !!! I was featured in the Press Telegram as the Best Hot Dog in The City and surrounding counties. I am relocating to another state due to family issues so this excellent opportunity to be your own boss with your own highly profitable business will go to the first person ready . If you have the cash now and are ready to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity call Craig now at 562-343-1623 .”
OMG! Are those sailboat masts in the background? Yep! I could be selling hot dogs by the ocean in SoCal, listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers while watching “Point Break” over and over on my portable DVD player. (I know, I’m stuck in 1991). AAAAAARGH!!!
But Get This…
This deal is sweet and rare. Here’s why. About a year ago the California legislature passed a new set of rules for mobile food vendors. In essence, the new law states that hot dog carts must be specially equipped to comply with the much stricter “Cal Code”. Selling dogs in California is still a great business, but now it will set you back about $16,000 to buy a new cart that complies with these laws.
However…
Existing business are grandfathered and are exempt from the Cal Code. I’m guessing that whoever buys Craig’s hot dog cart business will be able to step right in and start vending with the current cart- saving $9000 right off the bat. I’m certainly no lawyer so be sure to verify this for yourself, but it sounds like the deal of a lifetime.
Oh well, back to the reality of winter in St. Louis. At least it’s not blowing freezing horizontal rain at the moment. Now where did I put my checkered Van’s?
Gnarly!
-Steve
Charlie Ellis
// Jan 7, 2009 at 3:15 am
Wow! That is a sad story. Dreaming of SoCal and stuck in St. Louis. I know I can’t wait to get my first cart and start selling hotdogs here in Mobile, Alabama, home of The Mardi Gras. I haven’t seen any hotdog carts here, outside of some special event. I love these stories in my email every few days. It keeps me focused on my dream of being, “Sidewalk Charlie, The Hotdog Guy”. Sounds silly to some of my friends, but they don’t have my dream!
Keep em comin’. Charlie, the soon to be hotdog guy!
Bob from Windsor, CO
// Jan 7, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for the updates, I was thinking of opening a cart this Spring in CO, but maybe taking this over is a good idea. Can you forward the info to me? Keep up the emails.
Chris
// Jan 7, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Unfortunate but the change of ownership requires that you comply with the new Cal Code. But we have experienced large support from the county health department, well at least in here in Northern California, in regards to cal code and untenability to make a large part of the older carts complainant. For instance refrigeration and 3 compartment sinks. As per the sinks after in depth discussions with our inspector we came to agreement of carrying multiples of particular item such as tongs, ladles etc. The fridge was sovled after some heavy searching with small NSF refrigerator that can be mounted with very little effort to an existing unit. So don’t be discouraged, talk to your inspectors, find the areas of comprise and wala! If you are interested in the unit send me an email and i will send you location and model number – cheers
Mark
// Jan 9, 2009 at 11:50 am
Chris -
I would be interested in the NSF Refridge. Georgia Regulations changed in Oct. 08 and they are now expecting a Refridge.
Thanks, in advance -
Mark
Georgia
Darrell
// Jan 18, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Hello does anyone have information on an NSF refrigerator that will work for Cal-Code requirements? I had a hotdog cart built in 2006 when I worked for a company, but I always dreamed of owning my hotdog cart and makiing money for myself. The law changed the following year, making my investment worthless to operate without the fridge. I retired at the end of 2007 and am looking to put my cart to work in Northern California, Sacramento. Any help is greatly appreciated. Email me with what you have.
steve
// Jan 18, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Darrell’s email is Darrell_Jacks21@hotmail.com
Darrell Jackson
// Feb 15, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Hello everyone, still trying to find a fridge that will work, but have not gotten a word back from anyone on it. My email is Darrell_Jacks21@hotmail.com, so if you have any information, please contact me. Also, thank you Steve for posting my email for me, didn’t know I had left that out, until I saw email again. If you don’t have email, please call me at 916-919-0845.
steve
// Feb 16, 2009 at 6:29 am
Hi Darrell,
I think Will Hodgkiss over at Willy Dogs sells an NSF fridge.
Tell him Steve said “Hi”.
mike
// Jul 26, 2009 at 2:58 am
Ha, it is the only one in the city… for now. They get decent business because of location… I don’t know if it is still Craig.
I may start up a veja-link or veja-taco cart to bypass the nsf fridge requirement. Worthington has some non refridged meatless food. If you live in an artsy city like long beach or SF, you should get a decent amount of regulars I would think. Any ideas?