Britt and John live in Scenic Arizona and have an interesting hobby - a traveling hot dog stand. Coming off the I-15 exit to Beaver Dam AZ on my way to the post office, I saw the red umbrella and the red Hot Dogs sign right by the side of the road, all by itself. Hot dogs happen to be one of my very favorite home cooked meals, so I pulled over.
I rolled down the window and called out, "I'll take one!" The man said, "OK, let me steam the bun, you want everything on it, right?"
"No, just mustard - lots of mustard."
He actually stopped and stared at me for a moment, kind of indignantly. The lady beside him started laughing.
Then she explained. John is from Chicago and knows what a good hot dog is. These are Vienna beef hot dogs, flown in from Chicago, then they are steamed (NOT boiled), and they are NOT usually served with "just mustard."
"Well, what usually comes on it?"
Onions, neon green relish (also flown in from Chicago), cucumbers, tomatoes, celery salt and of course, mustard.
I have been doing it wrong all of these years.
Sometimes Britt and John park by the side of the road if there is an event nearby, some weekends they will be at the Scenic General Store in Littlefield AZ. Wherever they are, they usually start around 11:00 am and are sold out by 2:00 pm. One day, while working their stand at the Scenic General Store, a gentleman tried one of these hot dogs and asked them to come sell them at his store in California - so John and Britt will be in Santa Clara for the rest of June.
They also do catering and private parties - think about that for your next Super Bowl party.
OK, I confess. I got 2 hot dogs, not one. And I ate them both on my way home to Mesquite, which is only about 10 miles from Beaver Dam. They were good. Very good. Too good to share with Mikey, who was riding around with me.
He is still mad at me.
What a neat idea and little business they have going. I wonder if they can get one license to cover for wherever they decide to set up shop. The "dogs" sound yummy and is making me hungry for one. I never heard of the cucumber and tomato thing on a "dog".
Sue of Robin and Sue
Hi Sue - tomatoes, I have tried, but cucumbers is a new one on me. Each state has different requirements, some places have a city license required, too - but what a great 'hobby' to supplement retirement income and meet new people - they really seem to love it.
Hi Virginia, I'm not as docile as Mikey, one of those dogs would have been mine. Sounds yummy!
Virginia,
Send me some overnighted? I've not had a good hot dog in a long time! Hope you're doing well!
First let me say Mikey is adorable!! Cucumbers on a hot dog? That is a new one for me! LOL I love hot dogs too!
Now I'm hungry! Sounds like a great line of work and good way to travel around the country, too!
Oh, Greg, I would have got 2 for you - you wouldn't want to mess with my ferocious poodle.
Nellie - Hot dogs in the mail! :)
Debra - Mikey has me wrapped around his little toe. Cucumbers - who thought that one up?
Mary - Yes, little paid vacations - they sell out everyday after a few hours, then they are free to go.
He would have been unhappy with me, too. I only have onions on my hot dog. But, Vienna Beef sure sounds good! Makes my mouth water!
I didn't see sauerkraut on that list and now I am disgruntled ;)
Doreen, I actually like them burnt on the grill, then smothered with mustard.
Renee - I will let them know next time I see them, nothing worse than a disgruntled hot dog consumer.
Sounds delicious - wish I could stop by....