Frankly speaking, business is booming at sidewalk vendor’s hot dog cart.
Mike Sullivan had just been laid off from his job as a DHL deliveryman after some 15 years. The process-serving company he’d set up after his layoff was not making ends meet. The 55-year-old wasn’t sure what would, until he sat down to watch a movie.
In the background of one scene he saw a man selling hot dogs. The gears started turning in his head. “I decided I would try this, give it a shot,” said Sullivan of Braintree, as he prepped a sausage with peppers and onions at his roadside cart on Quincy Avenue this week. “It’s just a little steam table, that’s all it is. With a grill on it.”
Mike’s Hot Dog Cart may be a simple operation, but it’s been good enough to garner Sullivan a following. “I don’t want to see you once. I want to see you over and over again,” Sullivan said of customers.
Since he set up his New York-esque stand at the Quincy/Braintree line, Sullivan has developed several repeat customers. All of them know the story of how he went from delivering parcels across the state to grilling dogs in the parking lot of Viking Hall in Braintree.
Original article at the Patriot Ledger
Esteban Guzman
// Sep 9, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Way to go Mike, thats awesome, I wish you all the success. I hope to follow in your footsteps soon, can’t wait to get my cart going! Once again, great job, keep slinging them dogs!
Esteban
Paul A. Kaiser
// Sep 9, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Great set up! I wish I could have an open grill!
Tim/Get Grilled
// Sep 10, 2009 at 6:21 am
This is cool, I love watching the other carts in action. I wish Mike all the best and hope that he has a ton of success. This lifestyle puts a whole new meaning to “it’s a dog’s life”
way to go Mike, good luck!
Chuck Ellis
// Sep 10, 2009 at 6:51 am
Great job Mike! Nice grill too…
Clarence Burrell, Jr.
// Sep 10, 2009 at 7:04 am
I believe the umbrella attract business. We have a one person mobile food trailer. Business is beginning to pick up. Italain sausage is out selling hot dogs. We also sell crab cakes and frind chicken. I forgot the bologna burgers are selling. That is thick slices with mustard and friend onion. Mike–I enjoyed the video. My wife and I are on the right track.
Maria Paz
// Sep 10, 2009 at 7:30 am
I grew up in Quincy and am here in West Palm Beach, Florida now seriously thinking about getting a hot dog cart !
Doug's Dogs
// Sep 10, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I would love to try sausages and peppers but i can’t seem to find a gas griddle. help!!
Jeff
// Sep 10, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Great Clip!, It reminds me that even when times may be slow,,,I’m on the right track.
Doug you can find those griddles at either a RV store or even at Costco you may have to hit up Costco.com to find it because summer is over buy I’ve seen them.
Jeff
Cindy
// Sep 10, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Here is a site with stainless steel griddles. They have good reviews.
http://www.littlegriddle.com/products.html
Louise
// Sep 10, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Very nice set up Mike, and I also LOVE to see a cart in operation, wishing there were more videos out there.
I haven’t started yet, running into a bit of red tape due to the fact that I’m right on a state-line, having to deal w/ VT and NY HD’s.
That’s a pretty good location, right across from a car wash. Drivers have already stopped so might as well just cross the street and grab a dog!
Louise
Jim Lester
// Sep 10, 2009 at 7:29 pm
great video we sell dogs and sausages in a so minnesota of about 18,000 people the word is out and we sell out every day it’s aGREATTTT!!!!!!!!!!! BUSINESS
Roy @ Roy's Chicago Doggery
// Sep 11, 2009 at 9:53 am
Mike – great job, keep up the hard work!
Dick
// Sep 19, 2009 at 11:31 am
Hey Steve,
Great sight.
Hoping to get a cart soon to sell in Manchester N.H.