By WYNN KOEBEL FOSTER
Robert Gehrke, 72, of Norridge, made his living as an American Airlines mechanic. But all the while, he dreamed of someday owning his own hot dog cart.
“When I was in high school, my friends and I would hang out at The Hub Roller Rink,” Gehrke said. “Afterwards, we’d head to a pizza place at Addison and Harlem. My friends would eat pizza, but I’d be outside buying hot dogs from the guy with the cart in front of the pizza place.”
On July 16, Gehrke’s life-long dream was fulfilled. Wearing a Vienna beef hat, a Vienna beef apron and a grin that stretched from ear to ear, he presided over the grand opening celebration for his own hot dog cart — Harwood Heights’ newest business, right in front of its oldest, Big John’s Landmark Pub, established in 1938, at 5135 N. Oriole Ave., just south of Foster Avenue.
While Gehrke waited on a steady line of customers, Elvis tribute artist Ronnie Vegas entertained the crowd.
The hot dogs were served on poppyseed buns and suitably dressed for the occasion, with each customer’s choice of ketchup, mustard, celery salt, peppers, tomatoes, onions, dill pickles, cucumbers and every Chicago style hot dog aficionado’s favorite — fluorescent blue-green relish.
“This is really good,” said Gehrke’s grandson, Bobby, a mustard and ketchup man.
Landmark Pub bartender Ed Osborne ordered his hot dog dressed in onion, relish, tomatoes and celery salt.
“This is a great hot dog,” Osborne said. “The condiments are fresh and tasty, and the bun is terrific.”
“Everything’s really fresh,” said Kim Malecki, of Chicago’s Oriole Park community.
“Me? I love the relish,” added Kim’s husband, Mark.
“(You Ain’t Nothin’ But a) Hot Dog — ‘er Hound Dog,” Vegas warbled, following that with “Jailhouse Rock,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Teddy Bear,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Little Sister,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Love Me Tender,” “Suspicious Minds” and more.
Gehrke’s wife, Lillian, took orders and presided over the cash drawer. Many customers went back for seconds. Motorists stopped in the center of Oriole to watch the fun.
Weather permitting, Gehrke plans to be open for business in front of the Landmark Pub from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to midnight every day but Mondays, from March through October.
“I’ll be around even longer than that if the weather’s good,” he insisted.
Unfortunately though, Elvis/Vegas has left the building.
Story courtesy of the Norridge-Harwood Heights News: www.pioneerlocal.com
Am a new subscriber. Enjoyed all the news you have sent me. Will be joining ranks of hot dog operators soon.
Many thanks for the advice/insights.
hey steve , i ordered your book , i love your newsletters , i lost my job after 12 years with a major car rental company due to a merger, i had 2 dreams about hot dogs so thats what made me order your book. My wife doesnt think that this is a great investment, i have this gut feeling that i can do this! I have a friend that owns a gas station he told me i could set up there for FREE< i ve been hanging out there observing the traffic and it is non stop,Steve i just need that push to get me over the edge so i can go out and get my cart and start living the dream, thank for all your help, I think that one push into going for it will mak it happen.
Hey Marcos,
A job loss is often a blessing in disguise. It opens your eyes to the fact that you were relying on bogus “job security”. POOF! That’s gone.
It also gives you the time to put 100 percent effort into your new business and be your own boss. That’s real security that a lot of people would give an arm and a leg for.
The alternative is to go out and get another J.O.B., put your fate in someone else’s hands again, and wonder for the rest of your life if that hot dog thing would have worked out.
Marcos, you’re sitting pretty right now as long as you choose to see it that way. But I’m not going to be the guy to nudge you off the fence. Ultimately you alone are responsible for your actions and decisions. You have to make the call and own the consequences.
Only you can decide when the time is right, but really – what do you have to lose at this point? A small amount of money and a month of your time. Not a bad bet considering the upside…
Good luck,
– Steve