Ask Josh about his infamous Hot Dog Man in upstate NY. Josh insisted on dragging me over the border from Vermont to New York to taste one of the world’s best chili dogs. It was amazing. I will never doubt Josh again regardless of how crazy his ideas may seem at first. There might even be a few photos of our excursion lying around in a shoe box. It was 1992 after all.

TGP

The first is (or, was) a guy who calls himself “The Hot Dog Guy.” His trailer was parked along the side of Hwy 7 or 9 just SW of Middle, VT. This highway runs north/south along the base of the Adirondacks in New York.

The “Hot Dog Guy” (that was his trade name) was a Manhattan lawyer who was tired of the rat race. One day, he’d had enough. He left to start the best hot dog stand he could do. The Hot Dog Man took great pride in that fact all his hot dogs and gyros were made from the freshest ingredients, straight from the docks of New York City. To me, this guy was a great example of someone who focused and set out to deliver the highest quality of products. We made many visits that Summer.

The other vendor extraordinaire is a recent discovery in Gadsden, Alabama. Her name is Debbie. Her game is Debbie’s Dogs. Debbie’s a regular fixture of downtown Gadsden.

Her hot dogs are differentiated. Difficult to describe, but they are unique and delicious. Her personality is even more bubbly than her refreshments, a compliment to Debbie, not an indictment of her drinks. Debbie is only hot dog vendor I’ve ever met who posts photograph-covered signs all around her stand of happy customers enjoying her delectable treats — another interesting branding technique.

However, the signs were not necessary. The always-present crowds say it all.