In between times, I used to sell hot dogs, snow cones and drinks from a little cart that I would drive around town. I had my favorite spots and they expected me daily. I also used to do special occasions and the YMCA was a favorite stop. The kids love it and looked forward to having their hot dog with whatever they wanted on it, a snow cone, bag of chips or a drink
NONE BETTER COULD BE HAD ANYWHERE
I prided myself on carrying the best meats, sausages and breads. But I didn't stop there. I had the freshest and best condiments your money could buy. My mustard was top of the line PLUS I mixed it with pickle juice which gave it a custom after bite and taste. A real nice kick to a sandwich. Onions were fresh cut and perfect sized for the sandwich. My relish, mayonnaise, jalapenos, pickles and ketchup were all premium
TRUCK STOPS
I had trucks stops where the truckers would all order two massive dogs or sausages topped with everything followed by their choice of a large snow cone with fresh milk and syrups. My ice was blue and clear and just the right size for either slurping or crunching. It got to the point where I had to carry around six fold-able chairs on top of my cart because people-liked to sit and jaw while eating
SNOW CONE FLAVORS
I had 10 famous syrups of flavor for my fresh snow cones and upped that to double the choices. Kids and adults couldn't make up their minds on what flavor to have. I constantly had to advise which flavors complimented when mixed and which destroyed. People wanted to try them all.
CROWDS FORMED PEOPLE ATE
I used to pull into places and sell out in an hour or two. Other places it took about 6 hours. People love these little carts and I knew they would flock to me. I just wanted to serve the best foods so that they had a premium experience. Good money, good times and the simplicity of life itself.
DOLLAR DOGS
I carried dollar dogs for the kids and the less fortunate. Then, a premium choice and then a super tasty I'll have another type dog. Buns were steamed, dogs were boiled and what many don't know is that if boiled in a beef bullion boiling water, the dogs flavor increases 6 fold. As a further bonus, the smell permeated the air, the looks, the pricing and then the taste topped off by the experience. A poor man can step up and feed his large family well for under ten bucks and walk away proud and content
MAKE YOUR OWN
I let people fix their own toppings. You weren't supposed to but I wanted people to make their own and some people went all out carefully taking their time to build a sandwich of their liking. This is what you expect from these little carts and places. The personal touch or experience. A dog with everything on it not only looked good, but tasted wonderful too. Made the sandwiches twice their size when piled on
OSCAR MEYER FLAGGED ME DOWN
I was once followed and then asked to pull over by a man. I did. He said he worked for Oscar Meyer Wiener and wanted me to appear at all their shows. I would be given an exclusive with the understanding I serve their product. This meant a guaranteed income of $2-4K per day for any event attended. The problem was the logistics of it. They wanted me to travel distances and it was too much to go on the road with this to faraway places.
THERE'S RICHIE...and off we go
I got to know people in the neighborhoods where I went and they knew me. Sometimes I bought people a dog with everything no charge. The looks on their faces stay with me today. I met cops, criminals, stopped crime, helped people, made friends, heard stories and I have stories galore after two years of carting around. Richie's Snow Cones, Hot dogs and drinks...
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