Hot dog cart facts for kids
A hot dog cart is like a small, movable kitchen on wheels. It's made for cooking and selling hot dogs and other snacks right on the street! These carts are a super quick and easy way to get food. Millions of people buy food from them every day.
In 2014, Americans ate about 10 billion hot dogs. About 15% of those were bought from mobile hot dog carts! You can see hot dog carts everywhere in New York City. Many of the hot dogs sold there come from a company called Sabrett.
Contents
What is a Hot Dog Cart?
A hot dog cart is usually small and has everything it needs inside. It's designed to sell a few simple items, mostly hot dogs. Often, the hot dogs are kept warm in a pan of hot water. Some people even call them "dirty water dogs" because of this method!
Carts also have a cooler to keep hot dogs cold before they are heated. This cooler also stores cold drinks like sodas. There are usually several sinks for washing hands and cleaning tools. Most hot dog carts use propane gas to heat food. This means they don't need electricity to work.
Some carts might even have a grill, a flat griddle, or a deep fryer. A colorful umbrella is often part of the cart. It helps keep the food area clean and offers shade. It also helps people spot the cart from far away!
How Hot Dog Carts are Built
Hot dog carts are built with materials that are easy to clean and don't rust. This helps keep everything hygienic. They are often made of shiny stainless steel. But some parts might also be made from plastic, wood, or fiberglass.
The main part of the cart, where the food is prepared, sits on a base. This base can be pulled by a car or pushed by hand. Some carts are light, weighing only about 200 pounds (90 kg). Others are much bigger, like small walk-in kitchens, and can weigh over 1,000 pounds (1/2 a ton).
Rules for Hot Dog Carts
Hot dog carts can cook many different kinds of food. However, local rules about food safety often limit what they can sell. In places like the U.S. and Canada, carts usually sell hot dogs that are already cooked and just need to be reheated.
These rules are different in every state and even in different counties. Health rules also decide what side dishes or toppings can be sold. This is because some foods can spoil quickly if not kept at the right temperature. For example, it's rare to find eggs or dairy products at a hot dog cart.
Some rules might limit what other meats can be sold from a cart, like certain types of pork or poultry. This is to keep everyone safe. Bacon-wrapped hot dogs are often not allowed. But sometimes, you can get pre-cooked bacon bits as a topping! Hot dogs are usually served on buns with approved condiments. These can include mustards, pickles, relish, chopped onions, and tomato ketchup.
Health and Safety Rules
Health rules for food carts are usually set by local health departments. This is why they can be very different from one place to another. These rules don't just say what foods can be sold. They also say what equipment a cart must have.
For example, carts often need to have hot and cold running water. They also need an insulated ice box. There might be several separate sinks for washing hands and cleaning tools. Some places even require as many as four sinks!
Local health rules might also require the cart to be checked by the health department. The person running the cart might also need to take a class. This class teaches them how to handle and prepare food safely. So, if you ever want to run a hot dog cart, the first step is to contact your local health department! They will tell you all the rules you need to follow.
Making and Selling Carts
The hot dog itself became popular in New York in the late 1800s. Even though it's an American food, companies that make hot dog carts ship them all over the world! You can find these carts in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East.
