Howdy, howdy! Ben here. I want to talk about something I get asked a lot, and that’s whether you can serve tacos or taters from a hot dog cart.

The answer?

Heck yeah, you can!

A hot dog cart is essentially a mini mobile kitchen, and it’s far more versatile than you might think.

If you’re thinking about diversifying your street food offerings, let me walk you through just how much you can do with one of these bad boys.

The Versatility of a Hot Dog Cart

Before we get into the specifics of making tacos and taters, let’s talk about what a hot dog cart really is.

It’s not just a cart that’s been pigeonholed into slinging only hot dogs.

Nope, it’s much more than that.

Think of it as a restaurant steam table on wheels—one that you can tow behind a motorcycle if you want.

(Helpful: Your Cart Is a Mini Mobile Kitchen)

That’s right, this thing has everything: sinks, water systems (hot and cold), storage for bread and condiments, and a cooking system that allows you to do more than just boil dogs.

What Can You Cook on a Hot Dog Cart?

When it comes to hot dog carts, there’s not much you can’t do.

Sure, all 50 states allow hot dogs to be sold from them, but some states are even more lenient and let you whip up all sorts of other delicious foods.

Here are a few things you can cook up:

• Tacos: Yes, you can make tacos! Imagine the smell of sizzling meat and onions wafting from your cart, drawing customers in like moths to a flame.
• Taters: Whether it’s baked potatoes, loaded fries, or anything in between, your cart can handle it.
• Pasta: Set up a pasta bar with different sauces and toppings. Perfect for events!
• Soups: This is especially great in the winter. Just swap out your regular pans for deeper soup pots, and you’re good to go.
• Barbecue: If your state allows, you can serve up some smoky, saucy goodness right from your cart.
• Street Corn: Roasted or boiled corn on the cob is another great addition.
• Seafood: Steamed clams, oysters, or even fried fish if your cart is equipped with a fryer.

(Helpful: Possum Pecan Soup On A Hot Dog Cart)

(Helpful: Best Hot Dog Sauce Recipe Ever)

Tacos And Taters: How To Get Started

Now let’s get down to brass tacks.

If you’re looking to serve tacos and taters from your hot dog cart, here’s what you need to know.

Tacos

Tacos are pretty straightforward.

All you need is a flat-top grill or a cast iron skillet that you can place on the grill section of your cart.

Grill up some seasoned meat, maybe toss in some onions and peppers, and warm your tortillas on the side.

Keep the toppings simple—lettuce, cheese, salsa, and you’re in business.

One of our vendors out west uses a setup like this and swears by it.

He uses the cast iron skillet on top of the grill, sautéing everything to order.

It’s quick, efficient, and customers love watching their food being made fresh.

Taters

Loaded baked potatoes are a fan favorite and super easy to do from your cart.

Keep a pot of potatoes boiling or steaming, and when someone orders, slice it open, fluff it up, and add the toppings.

You can keep the toppings warm in your steam table pans—think chili, cheese sauce, bacon bits, and sour cream.

In Washington, we’ve got a vendor who does exactly this and has a line of customers every day waiting for his loaded taters.

He even offers a soup that you can pour over your baked potato, which is a real crowd-pleaser.

Private Gigs and Events: Expand Your Menu

One of the greatest things about hot dog carts is their flexibility.

If you’re booked for a private event—say a company picnic or a festival—you’re not limited to just hot dogs.

In these cases, you can cook pretty much anything you want.

Catering and Private Gigs

Let’s say you get invited to cater for a corporate event.

(Helpful: Hot Dog Vendor Catering Tips – Private Gigs)

You can serve tacos, taters, and whatever else your heart desires.
Why?

Because at private events, you’re essentially a caterer, not a street vendor.

So, the same state regulations don’t apply.

(Helpful: Catering With Your Cart)

For example, I once catered for the Ball Corporation (yep, the folks who make those canning jars).

They had me out there serving food two days a week.

Since this was a private gig, I could serve anything I wanted without worrying about the same restrictions that apply to street vending.

Event Umbrella Permits

If you’re working a public event like a festival or fair, you’re often covered under an umbrella permit.

This means you can serve a wider variety of foods, including tacos and taters, without worrying about specific licenses.

It’s an incredible way to diversify your income and offer something a little different from your usual street food fare.

How Much Can You Make?

Let’s talk numbers because I know that’s what you’re thinking about.

How much can you really make doing this?

(Helpful: Hot Dog Vendors Make What?! What's a Good Day? Bad Day?)

Well, I surveyed over 31,000 vendors nationwide, and we came up with an average income for different types of vendors.

If you’re smart about it, pick the right locations, and maybe do a couple of events or private gigs a month, you can make a full-time income with a part-time effort.

For instance, I used to work two days a week at night, catering to the third shift at the Bush Baked Beans plant.

In just those two nights, I was pulling in roughly $900 a week.

That’s middle-of-the-night vending! Imagine what you could do with a few more gigs like that.

The Final Word

So, can you make tacos and taters from a hot dog cart?

You bet your boots you can!

Whether you’re looking to add a little variety to your menu or completely change what you’re offering, your hot dog cart is capable of so much more than just hot dogs.

So get out there, fire up that grill, and start making some tacos and taters!

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! 🧡🧡

I love you, and I can’t wait to hear about your success stories.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help.