Betcha didn’t know your hot dog cart is actually a mini mobile kitchen!

“What’re you talkin’ about, Ben?”

Well, if you’re like me, you’re fixated on selling hot dogs, and there ain’t anything wrong with that. That’s how I started. Thousands of other vendors have, too.

But sometimes they, and I, got hung up on just selling hot dogs, and forgot that the cart can cook waaaay more than just dogs.

We drool over the tool, so to speak, and jump the gun when we get ready to name our business. Just like I did: Hillbilly Hotdogs!

A genius name, if you ask me, but there’s a problem with it, as it turned out, because it pigeon holed me as “the hot dog guy.”

Heck, I’m STILL the hot dog guy.

Not only did I pigeon-hole myself and my cart business, but I did it, again, when I created this website: learnhotdogs. If you’ve been around for a while you know that the site ain’t just about selling hot dogs anymore.

We’ve expanded into all kinds of mobile street foods, and foods that can be made in your house under the cottage food laws in your state.

So I made a little video about all that.

What’s in the video? A Whole Lot of Stuff!

It’s not just a hot dog cart! It’s a mini mobile Kitchen! (2:10)

You can serve all kinds of things from it!

“Like what?”

• Soup
• Pasta
• Baked ‘taters
• Chili bowls
• BBQ ( in some places)
• Tons more!

It’s also a mini Catering Kitchen! 3:20

• You can use your cart for catering! Not the white napkin, wedding kind of catering (though why not?)
• I’m talking about all kinds of events, especially outdoor events
• In some states you don’t even need a license to do catering! Of course, you need to do your due diligence and check with your health department to make sure, because some states do require it.

Can I have a fryer on my cart?

• In some states, yes. Many, no. It’s not all that great an idea anyway, Why not? I’ll tell ya in the video!

What is a Commissary, and how to find one, if you need one. (6:00)

• What is a commissary? It’s just a commercial kitchen. That means it’s been inspected to uphold certain health standards and stuff.
• Most states require you to have one to sell hot dogs, and many other foods.
• You can borrow one from a local restaurant, non-profit, some churches.
• You can rent one!
• Build Your Own! (16:50)
  • If you can’t find a free one (you can), or don’t wanna pay rent forever, you can build your own!
• For the full low-down on commissaries, go here!

You can DIY your hot dog cart/mini mobile kitchen! (7:00)

• Our design is legal in all 50 states!
• You can get the kit, which includes the hard to find stuff, here.
• We give you video instructions of every step!
• These days, you can build it for under about $1200
• Use the profits from it to buy a bigger cart later!

Easy Peasy Catering! Drop off Catering with a Mini Mobile Kitchen (9:00)

• You can rent the cart out to people throwing events!
• Birthday parties
• Neighborhood yard sales
• Fundraisers
• Festivals
• Family reunions, etc

I’ll show you a couple carts we make!

The Big Dog Full Service Mini Mobile Kitchen (11:00)

This cart will outwork you!

The Cater Pro Cart: the Not So Mini Mobile Kitchen

This one has all the bells and whistles!

Okay, here’s the video. Watch it now!

You can work Part-time! (17:45)

No, you don’t have to work every day like I did when I started. I was broke and desperate! You can totally start out part-time, like Michael Wood!

He started out only 2-3 days a month! Now he’s retired but still helping other vendors in Vendors United!

Come check out Vendors United, risk free!

Get access to thousands of other street food pros! You can join free for 5 days! And you’ll get Full access. I don’t do things the way others do. I hold nothing held back.