You have your location. You have your business licenses. You know what you need to pass the board of health inspection.
Now all you need is a hot dog cart, trailer or truck.
New or used is up to you. There are certainly many used carts trailers and trucks out there and they can be a better value than new equipment. If you have the cash, there's nothing like a brand new rig! The thing to consider is the equipment you'll need to cook your dogs. I personally like to have a grill for my buns and for sausages and hamburgers plus steam table equipment. My new truck has a fryer, but I'll never use it-TOO MESSY! Consider what you want to be able to prepare so you can determine the equipment you MUST have and make sure any equipment you purchase meets with your local health codes. That's why you talk to the Health Inspector BEFORE you buy.
You may also want to Build Your Own Hot Dog Cart. You can customize it yourself to any specs a local health inspector may require, and save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars. Start building your own cart today!
FALL AND WINTER ARE THE BEST TIMES TO FIND BARGAINS ON USED EQUIPMENT! Craigslist is LOADED with bargains in the fall and winter. If you're ready to buy a used hot dog cart or hot dog truck, Fall and Winter are the times to do it! It gives you plenty of time to get a location and permits.
Here's a few places to find used hot dog carts, trucks and trailers online. There are many more, but these sites consistently have quality listings:
Ben's Carts
Custom Concessions
Besides these links, eBay always has a lot of listings and you can always find some on your local Craigslist (that's where I found my new Hot Dog Truck). And, when all else fails, JUST F@#$ing Google it.
Also be on the lookout in your community for carts, trailers and trucks for sale that don't make it to "the internets." With a little sleuthing, you can get quality used equipment for a fraction of what you'd pay for new.
Here's a nifty item that's a must for any hot dog cart, trailer or truck. It's the Prodyne AB-6 Condiments-On-Ice. Keep your condiments cool and your customers happy!
