Hot dog cart
Encyclopedia
A hot dog
cart is a specialized mobile food
stand for preparing and selling street food
, specifically hot dog
s, to passersby. A cart operator must meet stringent health regulations
designed to protect the public from food poisoning or food borne illnesses. Hot dog carts are quick and easy food services, supplying millions of people with food every day. The U.S. Hot Dog Council estimates that 15% of the approximately 10 billion hot dogs consumed by Americans last year were purchased from a mobile hot dog vendor cart.
, fully self-contained and designed to serve a limited menu
. An on-board cooler
is used to keep the hot dogs safely chilled until ready for reheating. It also provides cold storage for beverages, such as sodas
, and multiple sinks for washing and cleaning utensils. Most hot dog carts use propane
to heat the foods, making them independent of electrical power. Some carts may also be fitted with a propane grill, griddle, deep fryer, or other such cooking appliance. A colorful umbrella is often installed to protect the food preparation area from contamination, provide some shade, and advertise the cart's location.
, but some carts also have components made from plastic
, wood
, or fiberglass
. The food preparation body of the cart is often mounted on a chassis that can be easily towed to a vendor's location by a vehicle or pushed to a location by hand. Types of carts may vary from a lightweight push cart of only about 200 lbs (90 kg), to fully enclosed walk-in carts weighing 1/2 a ton or more.
A good hot dog cart must be equipped with the following components. Stainless steel construction ; 1 7/8 hitch; standard wiring ; 20 lb propane tank (NSF Approved); full-size umbrella; insulated soda cooler; although it is not a good idea due to the high heat generated by the cart. You will end up using an ice chest; hot & cold water hand sink (NSF Parts); display case w/ doors; standard tail lamps; 5 – 7 gallon fresh water tank; waste tank (7 – 9 gallon); three individually-operated burners; adjustable controls; bottom storage compartment; safe to use pilots on stove.
and the types of food that can be sold from mobile food stands usually limit hot dog carts to reheating precooked wieners and sausages. These health code regulations vary widely from state to state and county to county. In addition, health regulations often limit what side dishes, condiments, and garnishes may be sold from a mobile food cart, which are potentially hazardous food
s, foods at high risk for spoilage due to rapid bacterial growth at certain temperatures. For example, some stands may offer eggs
and dairy products. Meats that are considered to be hazardous, such as pork
and poultry
, may also be banned from sale at mobile foods stands. Therefore, wieners are served on buns with certain approved condiments such as: mustard
s, pickles
, pickled relishes, chopped onions, and tomato ketchup
.
s (see US County Health Dept Listing), and as a result, they vary widely across the United States and Canada. In addition to determining what types of foods are allowed to be served, these local codes often specify mandates of what equipment should be installed on a mobile food cart. Such codes also ensure that the food cart has built-in facilities for achieving appropriate hygiene
levels for the cart, the equipment and utensils being used, and the operator handling the food. This may include hot and cold running water, an insulated ice box
, and a number of separate sinks for washing hands and utensils. Some areas specify that a cart have as many as four of these sinks. Local or state codes may also require that a hot dog cart be approved by a quality assurance agency such as NSF International
(National Sanitation Foundation). In addition, local health codes may require the cart to be physically inspected by the local health department, and that a cart operator attend a training course in safe food handling and preparation.
recently passed new legislation that greatly affected the operation of hot dogs carts in that state. The new California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) was introduced in July 2007. This is, in effect, the strictest and most comprehensive set of laws governing the use of hot dog carts in the United States.
The Cal Code mandates that hot dog cart operators must follow a strict operational procedure that includes formal approved training in food safety. Under this new framework of food laws, hot dog carts in California must also operate from an approved commissary
, often an approved restaurant
, delicatessen
, grocery store
, or other food facility providing a safe, clean base of operations for the hot dog cart. At the commissary, the cart is to be cleaned, loaded with food and fresh water each day, drained of waste water and emptied of unused food at day's end, and stored overnight. The commissary also provides services such as storing and preparing foods for the hot dog cart operator. This would include chopping the vegetables, such as onions and tomatoes, being used as condiments. The Cal Code specifies the list of facilities, equipment, and procedures that an approved commissary must have in place. Preparing food in a private home for retail sale to the public is strictly forbidden by the Cal Code. The local county health department usually has a list of approved commissaries for their jurisdiction.
The Cal Code also specifies the necessary equipment that hot dog carts must have on-board for legal operations. This mandatory equipment list includes four sinks for ware washing and hand washing, a large volume of on-board water and appropriate sized waste water tanks, a refrigerator
for storing potentially hazardous foods, such as meats, thermometer
s for monitoring food temperatures, and sneeze guards to protect the food display and preparation areas of the cart.
There is a surprisingly large number of regional recipes and presentation styles for hot dogs. These styles may range from specific condiments, such as a Michigan hot dog
or a Montreal hot dog
, to sauces that are added to the wiener and bun such as chili sauce and red onion sauce. Wieners are offered in a wide variety of sizes and types of meats including beef, chicken, turkey, and even vegetarian. Sausages reflect the various American and European styles such as Polish, Hot Italian, and Kosher. The bun itself can be offered in a number of varieties of sizes and bread types.
Although the hot dog is considered an American food invention dating back to New York in the late 19th century, cart manufacturers ship hot dog carts all around the world, including Europe, Asia, South America, and even the Middle East.
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
cart is a specialized mobile food
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
stand for preparing and selling street food
Street food
Street food is ready-to-eat food or drink sold in a street or other public place, such as a market or fair, by a hawker or vendor, often from a portable stall. While some street foods are regional, many are not, having spread beyond their region of origin. Most street food are both finger and fast...
, specifically hot dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
s, to passersby. A cart operator must meet stringent health regulations
Food safety
Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards....
designed to protect the public from food poisoning or food borne illnesses. Hot dog carts are quick and easy food services, supplying millions of people with food every day. The U.S. Hot Dog Council estimates that 15% of the approximately 10 billion hot dogs consumed by Americans last year were purchased from a mobile hot dog vendor cart.
Overview
A hot dog cart is generally a compact cartCart
A cart is a vehicle designed for transport, using two wheels and normally pulled by one or a pair of draught animals. A handcart is pulled or pushed by one or more people...
, fully self-contained and designed to serve a limited menu
Menu
In a restaurant, a menu is a presentation of food and beverage offerings. A menu may be a la carte – which guests use to choose from a list of options – or table d'hôte, in which case a pre-established sequence of courses is served....
. An on-board cooler
Cooler
A cooler, cool box, portable ice chest, chilly bin , or esky most commonly is an insulated box used to keep food or drink cool. Ice cubes are most commonly placed in it to help the things inside stay cool...
is used to keep the hot dogs safely chilled until ready for reheating. It also provides cold storage for beverages, such as sodas
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
, and multiple sinks for washing and cleaning utensils. Most hot dog carts use propane
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...
to heat the foods, making them independent of electrical power. Some carts may also be fitted with a propane grill, griddle, deep fryer, or other such cooking appliance. A colorful umbrella is often installed to protect the food preparation area from contamination, provide some shade, and advertise the cart's location.
Construction
Hot dog carts are generally built from materials that resist corrosion, are hygiene friendly, and are easy to clean. This generally means that they are made of stainless steelStainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
, but some carts also have components made from plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
, wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
, or fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
. The food preparation body of the cart is often mounted on a chassis that can be easily towed to a vendor's location by a vehicle or pushed to a location by hand. Types of carts may vary from a lightweight push cart of only about 200 lbs (90 kg), to fully enclosed walk-in carts weighing 1/2 a ton or more.
A good hot dog cart must be equipped with the following components. Stainless steel construction ; 1 7/8 hitch; standard wiring ; 20 lb propane tank (NSF Approved); full-size umbrella; insulated soda cooler; although it is not a good idea due to the high heat generated by the cart. You will end up using an ice chest; hot & cold water hand sink (NSF Parts); display case w/ doors; standard tail lamps; 5 – 7 gallon fresh water tank; waste tank (7 – 9 gallon); three individually-operated burners; adjustable controls; bottom storage compartment; safe to use pilots on stove.
Issues
Although hot dog carts can be equipped to cook a variety of other meats and foods from fresh or raw states, local health code regulations in the U.S. and Canada governing food safetyFood safety
Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards....
and the types of food that can be sold from mobile food stands usually limit hot dog carts to reheating precooked wieners and sausages. These health code regulations vary widely from state to state and county to county. In addition, health regulations often limit what side dishes, condiments, and garnishes may be sold from a mobile food cart, which are potentially hazardous food
Potentially Hazardous Food
Potentially Hazardous Food is a term used by food safety organizations to classify foods that require time-temperature control to keep them safe for human consumption...
s, foods at high risk for spoilage due to rapid bacterial growth at certain temperatures. For example, some stands may offer eggs
Egg (food)
Eggs are laid by females of many different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, and have probably been eaten by mankind for millennia. Bird and reptile eggs consist of a protective eggshell, albumen , and vitellus , contained within various thin membranes...
and dairy products. Meats that are considered to be hazardous, such as pork
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....
and poultry
Poultry
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
, may also be banned from sale at mobile foods stands. Therefore, wieners are served on buns with certain approved condiments such as: mustard
Mustard (condiment)
Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of a mustard plant...
s, pickles
Pickles
Pickles may refer to:* A pickled cucumber, the food most commonly referred to as a pickle in the U.S. and Canada* A pickled onion, the food most commonly referred to as a pickle in the UK* Other vegetables that have been pickled...
, pickled relishes, chopped onions, and tomato ketchup
Ketchup
Ketchup is a sweet-and-tangy condiment typically made from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar or high-fructose corn syrup and an assortment of...
.
Health regulations
Health code regulations are usually dictated by county health departmentHealth department
A health department or health ministry is a part of government which focuses on issues related to the general health of the citizenry. Subnational entities, such as states, counties and cities, often also operate a health department of their own...
s (see US County Health Dept Listing), and as a result, they vary widely across the United States and Canada. In addition to determining what types of foods are allowed to be served, these local codes often specify mandates of what equipment should be installed on a mobile food cart. Such codes also ensure that the food cart has built-in facilities for achieving appropriate hygiene
Hygiene
Hygiene refers to the set of practices perceived by a community to be associated with the preservation of health and healthy living. While in modern medical sciences there is a set of standards of hygiene recommended for different situations, what is considered hygienic or not can vary between...
levels for the cart, the equipment and utensils being used, and the operator handling the food. This may include hot and cold running water, an insulated ice box
Ice Box
The Ice Box is a 5,010-seat multi-purpose arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was adapted for hockey upon the Lincoln Stars' arrival in 1997. The Ice Box is located at 1800 State Fair Park Drive, on the Nebraska State Fair grounds....
, and a number of separate sinks for washing hands and utensils. Some areas specify that a cart have as many as four of these sinks. Local or state codes may also require that a hot dog cart be approved by a quality assurance agency such as NSF International
NSF International
NSF International is an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based not-for-profit public health and environmental organization that provides standards development, product certification, auditing, education and risk management services.-History:...
(National Sanitation Foundation). In addition, local health codes may require the cart to be physically inspected by the local health department, and that a cart operator attend a training course in safe food handling and preparation.
California
CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
recently passed new legislation that greatly affected the operation of hot dogs carts in that state. The new California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) was introduced in July 2007. This is, in effect, the strictest and most comprehensive set of laws governing the use of hot dog carts in the United States.
The Cal Code mandates that hot dog cart operators must follow a strict operational procedure that includes formal approved training in food safety. Under this new framework of food laws, hot dog carts in California must also operate from an approved commissary
Commissary
A commissary is someone delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office; in a formal, legal context, one who has received power from a legitimate superior authority to pass judgment in a certain cause or to take information concerning it.-Word history:...
, often an approved restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
, delicatessen
Delicatessen
Delicatessen is a term meaning "delicacies" or "fine foods". The word entered English via German,with the old German spelling , plural of Delikatesse "delicacy", ultimately from Latin delicatus....
, grocery store
Grocery store
A grocery store is a store that retails food. A grocer, the owner of a grocery store, stocks different kinds of foods from assorted places and cultures, and sells these "groceries" to customers. Large grocery stores that stock products other than food, such as clothing or household items, are...
, or other food facility providing a safe, clean base of operations for the hot dog cart. At the commissary, the cart is to be cleaned, loaded with food and fresh water each day, drained of waste water and emptied of unused food at day's end, and stored overnight. The commissary also provides services such as storing and preparing foods for the hot dog cart operator. This would include chopping the vegetables, such as onions and tomatoes, being used as condiments. The Cal Code specifies the list of facilities, equipment, and procedures that an approved commissary must have in place. Preparing food in a private home for retail sale to the public is strictly forbidden by the Cal Code. The local county health department usually has a list of approved commissaries for their jurisdiction.
The Cal Code also specifies the necessary equipment that hot dog carts must have on-board for legal operations. This mandatory equipment list includes four sinks for ware washing and hand washing, a large volume of on-board water and appropriate sized waste water tanks, a refrigerator
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is a common household appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room...
for storing potentially hazardous foods, such as meats, thermometer
Thermometer
Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer is a device that measures temperature or temperature gradient using a variety of different principles. A thermometer has two important elements: the temperature sensor Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer (from the...
s for monitoring food temperatures, and sneeze guards to protect the food display and preparation areas of the cart.
Manufacturing and sales
A large number of manufacturers of hot dog carts exist in the U.S. and Canada to service the industry.There is a surprisingly large number of regional recipes and presentation styles for hot dogs. These styles may range from specific condiments, such as a Michigan hot dog
Michigan hot dog
A Michigan hot dog, or "Michigan", is a steamed hot dog on a steamed bun topped with a meaty sauce, generally referred to as "Michigan Sauce". The chili may or may not be tomato-based, depending on where the Michigan is purchased. Michigans can be served with or without chopped onions...
or a Montreal hot dog
Montreal hot dog
The Montreal hot dog is one of several variations of hot dogs served as a fast food staple at restaurants and diners in Montreal and other parts of Quebec...
, to sauces that are added to the wiener and bun such as chili sauce and red onion sauce. Wieners are offered in a wide variety of sizes and types of meats including beef, chicken, turkey, and even vegetarian. Sausages reflect the various American and European styles such as Polish, Hot Italian, and Kosher. The bun itself can be offered in a number of varieties of sizes and bread types.
Although the hot dog is considered an American food invention dating back to New York in the late 19th century, cart manufacturers ship hot dog carts all around the world, including Europe, Asia, South America, and even the Middle East.