The Hot Dog and Sandwich Shop

Click link to visit our Facebook page or Webpage . Visit our "Why are we here..." section below to learn why we sell hot dogs. Also check out the updates tab regularly as we are constantly updating you on things...including perk additions

In 1912, years before Nathans opened on the boardwalk, and decades before Pinks opened in L.A., a small mom and pop hot dog store opened in my hometown. It was a place known for its homemade hot dog chili sauce. For generations, people of different colors, creeds, socio-economic status, and ages got together ,interacting with one another as people, not a class or race. It happened for breakfast, lunch, dinner, after the high school football game, after church…or just because they thought a chili dog sounded good. After being in business for over 90 years the doors closed…….

Who are we?

The Hot Dog & Sandwich Shop - our name says most of it - but not all of it! We serve good sized high quality 100% beef hot dogs, not the tiny get lost in the bun stuff. We cook them in a special way to maintain the flavor of the meat, serve on fresh steamed buns with our own hot dog chili sauce recipe. We also offer a variety of other exotic meat dogs and sausages, Frito Pies, condiments and sides and home made ketchup too!. Once established our menu is set to expand into other sandwiches such as Burgers, Fish, Chicken and a Cuban sandwich too! We also will be able to receive orders to ship our hot dog chili sauce, ketchup, and "hot dog kits" to those around the nation. Our menu offers three ways you can get your hot dogs, frito pies and other foods. Plain, Regular and Loaded with lots of different toppings and condiments to custom build your food!

That said……Our goal is to have the best tasting "great food fast" menu around, but business is not about hot dogs, it is about people!!

In our short time of existence we have had many customers come by “just to hang out”, chat with each other and us while enjoying a meal. It is amazing the relationships that have been built between people who did not know each other prior to stopping by our counter. It has become a gathering place for people:

• to be comfortable:
• to have great food
• not feel rushed out the door
• not feel like they are only a dollar sign.
• Most importantly it's a place for them to feel human!

Better than relaxing in the local coffee shop,

• business people can make deals or relax
• students can get together to work on homework and projects
• friends can catch up
• people can come on first dates
• or they can come for their  "50 year first date"
• even better they can have a "spend time with the kids" dates.  

This is ultimately who we are and what we are about, our community….The food is only a vehicle.

Speaking of the food let me tell you about how good it is…it’s really good!!!

Remember the little mom and pop shop in the story at the top? The shop may have since closed, but the chili sauce recipe didn’t disappear..... New era, different hometown, and we have been introducing it to a whole new group of enthusiasts. 

We also have our very own ketchup recipe. Once we started the stand, our customers have done a back to back between Ours and Heinz. We have yet to find one who preferred Heinz afterwards…REALLY!! 

If interested, you can read what people have been saying about us near the bottom of this campaign

Why do we need to  raise funds?

The Hot Dog & Sandwich Shop started in July 2013 as a mobile facility. We set up our stand outside of stores, grand openings, non profits, flea markets, fairs and 5k runs. An opportunity came along to take over the day to day operation of the kitchen inside of a gas station on a busy intersection. Our customer base grew quickly as word spread and we had regulars, some eating lunch with us 5 days a week. Then as fast as it happened, the property owner made a deal with a national franchise to move into the kitchen. His authority for the space trumped that of the business owners to sublease it to us.....this is what brings us to our campaign.

Our customers raised concern with the business owner that we would no longer be there. For a brief moment it looked as if he had convinced the property owner to let us stay, but ultimately the property owner sided with the franchise.

The business owner continues to let us know customers are coming by looking for us. This prompted us to find another permanent location instead of working our temporary booth. We have found a very promising location, but our equipment is made for “outside” cooking and frowned on by fire marshals for an inside venue. This new location does not have an existing kitchen like the previous one. (pictured above) To make it work we need to purchase commercial grade electrical grills/griddle, hot plates, freezers, sinks refrigerators, and vent hoods as required by the health department.

This new location is very near where we were, so it is close to our existing customer base as well as exposing us to literally thousands of new foot traffic customers per week.

The new location we are looking at currently does not have any food options. The property management realizes the value that can be added by a permanent food location. With literally thousands of people per week, all foot traffic, frequenting the big box retailer and the other businesses there, they have offered a permanent space for us to set up to be that added attraction for all of their tenants and customers.

Any financial help you can give would be greatly and sincerely appreciated.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help. We know times are tough. That's one reason we like that we provide great food that will not break the bank.  We also know that you may know someone who can. So we ask if you believe in our vision, even if you cannot contribute, that you please share our link:

• In your email
• Tell your friends by speaking or text,
• Post it in your social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc.
• Post it on a telephone pole
• Use sidewalk chalk in your neighborhood
• Those who like to get tatoos...hey it beats that symbol that doesn't mean what they told you it meant...
• Any place else you can think of getting word out.

YES...she did get her chili dog!!

One of the perks to those who contribute. We thank you in advance!

• OUR FIRST T-SHIRT: "VEGETABLES  Are What Food Eats"

What are people saying about the Hot Dog & Sandwich Shop?

Verbal comments at our stand and counter

"Most times a hot dog is just a tasteless thing to hold condiments, but your hot dogs are really good. I mean they have a great taste."

"WOW, I don't like hot dogs. I only ate this because my mom got it for me. What is this?...its good. Can I have another one?"

"Sir you make a better hot dog than any major league ball park I have been too. Nolan Ryan has nothing on these down at the Ranger games. "

"Can I have an extra chili on this one? Better yet do you have a bowl with some in it so I can just dip the hot dog in it...yes still put some on top too!"

"Ok we need more chili dogs. Here is another $20 bucks for my family and me, just yell when we run out and I will bring you more."

“Man I will tell you, I just did a back to back taste test between Heinz Ketchup and the stuff you make, and bro I will tell you there is no comparison -- it blows the doors off
Heinz”

“I've always really loved Heinz ketchup, but there's really no comparison. Yours just hits the exact right balance between sweet and tangy”

“Next time you make a batch of ketchup I need two bottles. We had hamburgers last night and my daughter sat with the bottle I just got from you in her hand and kept squeezing on for each bite she took….and its gone already"

"Ok, one more chili dog, no better make that two…..no better yet my wife will probably want another one so make it three. If she doesn’t eat it I will..Ok I am back again, those ones are gone now. Can I get 4 more to take with me?"

Comments to us in emails and on facebook

“I absolutely loved the Hot Dog Shop, not only is it owned & operated by an awesome owner but all the food you get is fresh & delicious. It makes you wanna go back for more every time! I would recommend it to any & all hot dog lovers!” -- Kayla

"If your looking for a hotdog, this is seriously a good one!"  -- Eric

“As a mother of 2, when feeding my family quality and value count. The Hot Dog Shop offers both of those and more. Todd's commitment to having a family food establishment is unmatched. He cares about his customers and their eating experience. He is building a wonderful family legacy and I encourage everyone to go eat some tasty treats and meet him. You won't be disappointed!” -- Shannon

"Great tasting hot dogs, for a really great price! I love the chili sauce, too. My favorite menu item is the "loaded" frito pie, which I get with cheese, chopped onions, and bacon. Yum!" -- Rebecca

"Listen...The Hot Dog Shop has the BEST dogs in North Texas, hands down. Simple, delicious, AMERICAN style hot dogs. The owner Todd is an incredible guy and a pleasure to hang out with while you're chowing down. You really will be glad you came by. Enjoy." -- Alex

 Why We Sell Hot Dogs (Expanded)

Expose and promote small non profits. There are many big non-profit agencies that everyone is familiar with that raise money for disasters or aid with little of it actually going to the people they claim to help. There are also hundreds of smaller non profits who have their feet on the ground doing the real work.

Because their goal is ACTION and not "making a living for themselves", the little money that they bring in goes directly to the community to help and not filling their pockets with huge salaries. Not having a marketing budget like the large agencies means they do not have the name recognition, sometimes even in their own community. No name recognition makes it hard to raise more funds, making it a vicious cycle.

We become their voice and the hot dogs are the loudspeaker. We do this with NO CHARGE to the non profit. We make sure we are not assisting a “fly by night operation". We help solid organizations that we KNOW are out in their communities and in the world to affect change and give aid because we have seen their efforts. Our customers learn who they are, what they are about, why we support them and how they can get involved further if they choose. Most people are not aware that while you see the big name agencies on the news...it is these smaller ones who are actually in the background doing the work, bypassing the cameras to make sure help is there for those in need. They do this without any financial aid from the ones taking the credit for doing the work.

Our policy is, when we partner with a specific non-profit with our mobile booth, the profits from every sale goes to that organization. Sometimes the non-profits have hired us to cater their events. In those cases we share their vision to the public they are reaching out to. With our permanent stand, the organizations will be able to have their materials on hand at our place. For any special collections they are doing we can provide a collection point. Plus as always a portion of what we make goes towards their cause. Our goal is to help them do their work. We have recently partnered with non profits such as American Trooper and Real Options for Women in their events and 5k runs. American Trooper exists to help veterans and active military families in need of everything from food to furnishings on an as needed basis. They also have two resale stores to help their mission. They also are instrumental in providing an opportunity for those who need to satisfy community service hours by allowing them to help in the stores. We have seen a few of those people stay on as volunteers with AT after their community service was up and turn their lives around in the process. Real Options provides counseling and many services to those who are pregnant and in need. You can click the blue links to learn more about them.

In the future we also look to help Juvigap who helps navigate the red tape of the legal system for juveniles and their families...getting the youth on the right track. Another organization that I have personally volunteered with is ACTS (Action Crisis Teams). They respond with aid and man power to disaster victims who usually never see aid from the big relief agencies because "the disaster is too small". Even if it is one house destroyed. For those people it is still a disaster. They have done tons of work in the midwest over the years with flood and tornado victims, including the recent Oklahoma tornados.  Past work has been feeding victims of Hurricane Ike in south Texas, Hurricane Dolly, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Dean in Southern Mexico. Their work helped a village there who was not recognized as a people by the Mexican government. The village was literally wiped out by Cat 5 Hurricane Dean. No recognition meant no aid, not even from the big agencies. ACTS stepped in not only got them food and water but continues to help them 6 years after the event build a better home for their people. They did the same in Haiti after the earthquake and to this day continue work rebuilding and helping the people around that island. This is an example of who we help...and why we help them 

Build future leaders: Working with schools and other organizations in their programs that build up future leaders of the community and country. Teaching them the “American Dream” does in fact still exist if they make it happen. They can come to control their own lives without becoming slaves to society; learning security comes from their own actions. With youth today feeling so much is holding them down, and school systems that only teach to pass tests and be a good employee....we show them that success does not discriminate against their race, sex or what their current or past social and economic status is. When they branch out in to the country taking those skills with them, they can build a better family unit and closer knit community not separated because of differences in status, class, race, income, or home owners association.

Foster entrepreneurship: Everyone, no matter income level, must be given a chance at their definition of success. Recent reports show how hard it is to start a business for many people. Even those in fast food cannot afford to buy a franchise due to monetary restraints.  We believe sweat equity still means something! If those who work for us show a desire to become owners of their own business, franchise or their own restaurant, we will take them through an apprenticeship program. Teaching the same steps we used to build this and other businesses giving them the knowledge and skills to reach their goal.  It is that hands on experience that one can never learn by only taking business courses.

Provide college students work options: Tuitions are high, part time jobs don’t pay much, often collide with class schedules and student loans can take decades to pay off. We have been asked by quite a few college students if we can help them get a temporary cart or booth going. By helping students run a mobile location, they have the ability to make enough money to survive and possibly even pay for school. This while being able to make their own schedules around classes.

Boost the attraction of an existing business: Food can be a delicious attraction as well as a valuable distraction to sales and “service while you wait" type industries. Many businesses do not have the internal space or resources available to offer a food option to their customers, but they do have the space available outside. With our mobile facility we help set them apart from their competition by offering a service the others do not. By partnering with us, they now have an added service to their customers without the huge expense. 

Thank You.