Well howdy! Let’s talk about why you should never, ever wash utensils in front of your customers while vending.

This is something I see way too often and I wanna save you from making a rookie mistake out there on your hot dog cart.

Whether you're slingin’ dogs from a Big Dog Cart or a DIY build, this one little misstep can ruin your customers' trust and your day.

Why You Shouldn't Wash Utensils on the Cart

So picture this: you're out vending, you’ve got a good line going, you’re double-clickin’ your tongs like you're supposed to — click-click — and boom, you drop those tongs.

What do you do?

Let me tell you what not to do.

Don’t walk over to your cart’s sink, start wash-rinse-sanitizing them right in front of customers.

Even if your Big Dog Cart has four sinks and the whole nine yards, it doesn’t matter.

Because here’s what’s going through that customer’s mind: “Those tongs just touched the dirt!”

It don’t matter how clean your sinks are.

You could have the Queen of England bless your sanitizer bucket — it’s still not gonna feel right to someone watching you wash utensils in the middle of lunch rush.

That’s why I say…

Always Have Backups to Your Backups

If you’re running a cart and you’ve only got one pair of tongs — you’re setting yourself up for a panic attack.

Always keep extras.

I’m talkin’ two, three extra sets of tongs minimum.

Toss ’em in a Ziploc bag, keep ’em in your bread box or dry storage.

That way, when you drop one (and trust me, you will), you just toss it aside and grab a clean one.

Drop it in your dirty pan, and clean it later at the commissary.

Helpful: Commissary For Hot Dog Cart: What You Need to Know

No fuss, no weird looks, no “did-he-just-pick-that-up?” moments.

Wash Utensils Later — Not During Service

The best time to clean your utensils is when no one’s watching.

Save it for the end of your shift at your commissary or your home kitchen (if licensed).

During business hours, your focus should be on clean presentation and smooth operation — not a mini dishwashing session.

Helpful: Save HOURS on Street Food Clean Up!

Do This Instead for Cleanliness

You wanna show customers you care about hygiene? Here’s what you do:

• Walk around and wash your hands. Even if you’re wearing gloves.
• Pull off the gloves, head over to the sink, wash your hands and say, “Just give me a second, I wanna wash up.” Customers love that.
• Keep your cart wiped down. Keep a little bucket of sanitizer (water + a capful of bleach) and a restaurant towel.
• Use that rag to keep the cart looking clean and tidy. Nobody wants mustard crusted onto a hot surface. It’s ugly and smells burnt.

What If You Drop a Hot Dog?

This one’s fun. You’re making a dog, gettin’ in the rhythm, and plop — it hits the ground.

Now what?

Here’s what I tell vendors: pick it up, smile, and say, “This one’s half off!” Then toss it in the trash.

It’s human to drop stuff.
It happens.

What matters is how you handle it.

Don’t leave it on the ground to rot in shame while customers step over it.

That’s gross.
Throw it away.

Take your gloves off, wash your hands, re-glove, and keep going.

Whole thing takes 20 seconds, tops.

Customers ain’t looking for perfect robots — they’re lookin’ for real people who care.

Helpful: Gloves And Money On A Hot Dog Cart

Confidence Comes From Reps

When I first started, I’d get a line of people and immediately start sweating bullets.

I’d rush, mess up orders, drop stuff, you name it.

Over time, I realized — the key is treating each customer like they’re the only one.

One dog at a time.
One order at a time.
That’s it.

Don’t rush. Don’t panic.

Just stay clean and stay cool.

Final Thoughts

So if you take nothin’ else from this article, let it be this: Don’t wash utensils on your hot dog cart in front of customers.

It looks bad, feels worse, and costs you credibility.

Bring extras, stay clean, and keep slingin' them dogs like a pro.

I love you, and I hope you have a freakin’ fantastic day. If you’ve got questions, holler at me. I’ll do my best to help ya.

Ben

P.S. If you're just gettin' started or want the full breakdown of how to succeed in this business, check out the free training at LearnHotDogs.com/start.

No email.
No gimmicks.
Just real help.

And if you want to take your vending business to the next level, go and get together with the best vendors on the planet inside the Vendors United community.

You can learn about it HERE (it is 100% free to try it out for 5 days!!)…

🧡🧡 Vendors United – 100% FREE 5 Days Trial – Try It Today! 🧡🧡