The Daily Times

Driving down East Broadway Avenue, it’s hard to miss the two large, rainbow-colored umbrellas that sit atop a bright red cart next to Stevenson Tire company.

This cart is home to The Steemie Weenie, where Chris and Amy Jenkins serve up hot dogs and Frito pies to hungry customers almost every day. While the business has its challenges, the couple could not be happier serving the community and find the rewards to be worthwhile.

The Steemie Weenie started after Chris Jenkins lost his previous job. The business was an idea he had been working on — he had already started working on the cart at nights and on weekends — and he became even more serious about it after the loss of his job, as he hoped it would be the perfect solution to an unfortunate situation.

“I wanted to do something where I knew I wouldn’t get laid off,” he said.

He had also noted the success that other hot dog carts had experienced and liked the idea that he and his wife could go into this venture together. However, he remained realistic about what it would take for The Steemie Weenie to be successful.

“If we were going to do this,” he said, “we would have to do something other than what you could get at a gas station.”

Tried many brands

They were, therefore, faced with the task of deciding what they wanted to serve — specifically which brand of hot dog they would sell.

“We tried so many hot dogs before we started this,” Chris said.

After considering all the options, they finally settled on Nathan’s brand hot dogs, which Amy notes are the same brand used for the Coney Island hotdog-eating contest and are top-of-the-line (and admittedly delicious).

This was not the only decision the couple had to make, however. They also had to make the important decision of where they were going to set up this hot dog cart.

“We wanted a place where there weren’t a whole lot of other eating places,” said Chris. “We also wanted somewhere that was easily accessible.”

Keeping all of this in mind, they confronted Steve Stevenson, who graciously allowed them to set up their cart in the parking lot next to his tire business. So with a location, a fully-assembled hot dog cart and a large supply of Nathan’s hot dogs, the Jenkinses started their business.

“People would not imagine how much time goes into this,” Chris said. He noted that they have to maintain certain rules and regulations, as they are regulated by the Health Department.

“It’s fun,” Chris said. “It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s fun.”

Favorite part: people

Both Amy and Chris Jenkins agree that by far their favorite part is interacting with and meeting new people every day.

“I like working with people,” Amy said, “so I enjoy getting to meet people and learn about them.”

“We have people who come from all over town,” Chris added.

They also have many regular customers who frequent their hot dog cart, as evidenced by the many times Amy greeted customers with a friendly, “It’s good to see you again.”

By the pure fact they are getting these returning customers, as well as new customers every day, the Steemie Weenie seems to quickly be turning into a local favorite, which Chris and Amy both are both incredibly pleased about.

“The best part (about the business) is being able to do something that people are happy to see us here for,” Chris said.

Hot dog challenges

He also noted the challenge that comes with finding something that will please everyone, especially — as Amy notes — since they on occasion get customers from places like New York, where they are serious about their hot dogs.

“Everyone has their own idea of what a hot dog should be like,” Chris said, adding, “You have to do your best to have a little something for everyone.”

So far, The Steemie Weenie seems to be doing just that.

The Steemie Weenie is open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and some Saturdays.

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