Mission: Anderson brings NY-style hot dogs to ET
The entrepreneur, who lives just outside of Farragut Town limits, opened Hot Dog Hut earlier this summer, and has been quite the hit as COVID restrictions have eased and regional events have picked back up.
He was booked for the August Bloodhound Rescue event in Powell and has regularly set up in North, South and Northwest Knox County, as well as Karns and Anderson County for special events, birthday parties and catering opportunities as he introduces his products to a welcoming audience.
Anderson offers high-quality beef, sausages, an array of condiments and, when he has help, freshly-squeezed lemonade.
“We keep it simple,” he said. “Our signature is a Big Dog, which is 100 percent Black Angus beef. We also have smoked sausages, and our condiments include chili, onions, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup and relish — we are looking at possibly adding cole slaw in the future.”
He also offers chips, sodas and water to round out the daily menu.
With a background that includes working as a photographer, an Emergency Medical Technician (paramedic) and Anderson’s most recent work as a subcontractor, laying flooring and tile, making a living as a hot dog vendor was not always his plan.
The idea actually began to take root about three years ago, when Anderson was visiting his father in the Poconos Mountains.
“I started reading this book, titled ‘How Hot Dogs Saved My Life,’ by Ben Wilson, and it made me think about that line of work,” he said.
The inspirational book, which he has since “read several times,” coupled with a realization his work laying flooring and tile was fraught with issues beyond his control really began to take hold earlier this year.
“I also had eye surgery in May, and while I was sitting in my den, unable to work for two weeks, I decided to pull the trigger,” Anderson said.
It took five weeks for Ben’s Carts Hot Dog Cart Store in Sevier County to custom-make and deliver what would be Anderson’s next venture, and he took possession in July after making sure it was built to his specifications.
“I wanted it to have a hot water heater, a steam table, an extra work area and a grill off to the side, making it better to handle crowds,” he said.
“It totes behind any type of vehicle and weighs 480 pounds fully loaded,” he said. “And, I am licensed to go anywhere in Tennessee. I can go places food trucks can’t because I am self-contained, compact and don’t need the set ups or hook ups.”
For more information, call 865-712-1658 or e-mail hotdoghutllc@gmail.com
