Larry Joe has had a Tough Year

Frequent readers will know, I am a big fan of Larry Joe's New England Fire Pit. This hot dog trailer has that rare combination of excellent hot dogs and what I will just call "atmosphere." Last December, Larry Joe suffered a devastating fire. A cigarette butt smoldered in a trash can for hours, finally igniting some wax paper while the trailer was parked in Larry's driveway. The trailer blew up.

It was a total loss.

Luckily, Larry Joe had insurance for his hot dog business, so he was able to rebuild. Because of the exacting design specifications Larry had for his trailer and the fact that his first manufacturer couldn't complete the job, it took 26 weeks for The Fire Pit to reopen. 

Sure enough, near the beginning of July, Larry Joe was once again parked in the parking lot of Larry's Package Store (no relation).

Fanatic Fans of Larry Joe's New England Fire Pit were once again secure in the knowledge they could lay their hands on Larry Joe's delicately smoked, half pound, Pearl franks.

BUT (could you feel it coming), once again, Larry Joe faced a setback. Larry's Package Store was sold and the new owners didn't want the Fire Pit in their parking lot! Never mind that Larry's presence increased sales at the store, they politely asked Larry to leave and, rather than make a big stink, he politely left.

Once again, the sight of Larry Joe handing out his Pit Dogs and Fire Dogs seemed in jeopardy. Poor Larry, if it wasn't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all (I can almost hear him playing the tune now).

Larry is a survivor though. He promptly found a new location about a mile away in Mendon, MA. He'll be in the parking lot of  Westwood Lumber at 23 Cape Road (route 140) in Mendon. Larry found the spot and got all his permits in order at one Board of Selectman's meeting; he must have fed the local politicians for them to move so fast!

I am told the owners at the new location are DELIGHTED that the Fire Pit is on their property. I'm glad he landed on his feet too. Larry not only serves some of the most outrageous franks I have ever had, he's also a good guy and a good ambassador to Hot Dog Nation. I am going to swing by the Fire Pit for lunch tomorrow to check out the new digs.

Here's hoping Murphy's Law is done with Larry Joe for a LOOOONG TIME!

Hot Dog Trailer for Sale in Framingham, MA

Zippity Do Dogs in Framingham, MA is for sale.

This is a cool little hot dog trolley trailer made by Boss Hog Trailers. The business is a going concern and is up and running.

Current owner Mike Gerrol stays open year round.

It is located in an office parking lot near the Natick Mall and close to many large office buildings.

This is a great trailer. Mike never did much catering, but a new owner could clean up with seasonal sports tournaments in the Framingham area. Read about and watch videos of this business on Hot Dog Stories.

Here are some of the specifics:

8x16 Trolley concession trailer

Copper roof

125 amp power supply – currently tied into NStar with meter.

50 amp plug

New floor

Stainless steel counters

Copper vent hood with lights and exhaust

New built in Air Conditioner

Stainless steel triple sink

Stainless steel hand sink

Fresh water storage – 30 gallons

2 waste water storage - 20 gallons each

Triton hot water tank

Flojet demand pump

Crank out canopy in front

1 All-Clad grill

1 All-Clad griddle

1 commercial grill

3 steamers (dogs, rolls, condiments)

Microwave

Convection oven

2 refrigerators

1 electric can cooler

2 bay Lemonade cooler dispenser

3 outdoor tables with 2 large umbrellas and chairs

Fryolater

Cash register

2 portable heaters – this business can run all year.

Existing lease with landlord – with ~10 parking spots

Loyal customer base – great reviews

Very close to many businesses and mall.

Trailer is mobile or can sit at any site. Great for catering at any event.

All rights to company name, logo, website domain

YellowBook listing and website (until May 2012)

All recipes for existing sauces, etc (Best Coney sauce on the planet)

Existing business – clean and ready for new owner

Zero BOH violations

Asking: $42,500 or Best Offer

For more info, email Mike at gerrol@charter.net

Boston Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon

The other day, I headed into Boston to Newmarket Square. Newmarket Square is an industrial area set away from downtown Boston that's home to many shipping concerns and the area houses a lot of wholesale food businesses.

It's also the home of a Boston Hot Dog icon: Boston Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon.

The "Original" Speed is now 92 and enjoying retirement after serving up Boston's most celebrated hot dogs for over thirty years. 

The business is now run by Gregg Gale, a classically trained chef who has known Speed since he was eight years old. When Gregg was looking to get into something a little simpler than being a head chef at area restaurants and country clubs, he decided to take over Speed's Hot Dog Wagon. Gregg must have gone to the finest culinary school in the land: there is no ketchup on the trailer!

The dining room is probably a tad less fancy than some of the fancy joints Chef Gregg has cooked in! Apparently the spartan surroundings don't scare people off. Warren Buffet visited the wagon back in July and asked Gregg if he was interested in selling the business. Gregg, who was unaware of who he was speaking to at the time, said "You don’t have enough money." Methinks Mr. Buffet could buy out every business in Newmarket Square and not even dent his wallet. When asked by a Boston Globe reporter about the incident, Gregg said he "likes his music." It's a funny story.

Chef Gregg kept Speed's concept of "southern style" barbecued hot dogs, but he decided to use a hot dog that he himself "produces."

He has the Boston Brisket Company make his hot dogs according to his exact culinary specifications. Chef Gregg cares about quality and he believes his dogs are the best. He's not the only one, The Wall Street Journal called Boston Speed Dogs "the best hot dogs in America" a few years back! Besides being of very high quality, the Boston Brisket hot dogs are convenient- the trailer is parked in their parking lot.

Chef Gregg grills his dogs on an "oil drum" style, charcoal grill over hardwood, lump charcoal. As the dogs cook, he constantly bastes them with his marinade and barbecue sauce. When they split, they're done.

I was offered a sample of the newest addition to the menu: wood grilled pastrami. You can now get a pastrami dog at Speed's; that's some wood grilled pastrami and a hot dog. The pastrami was delish.

Chef makes all his own sauces and toppings. He has his home made barbecue sauce and cranberry relish on sale at the wagon. he also has tee-shirts and sweatshirts and promises to have hats next year. You can buy these goodies at the trailer and they will soon be available on the Boston Speed Website. You can even give a Speed's Gift Certificate (hey Christmas is coming).

First timers are REQUIRED by Chef Gregg to order a dog with EVERYTHING. That has his custom made mustard, barbecue sauce, cranberry relish, chopped onions, and a beanless chili sauce. I had one at the SoWa market a few weeks ago- it's guaranteed to ruin your dinner and it's out of this world good.

I got one "lightly loaded" with mustard, cranberry relish and onions and

CHOWED DOWN!

This is one fine hot dog- it is definitely one of a kind. Boston Speed's Famous hot Dog Wagon gets 

TWO THUMBS WAY UP!

If you are in the area, it is a must eat hot dog establishment and ought to be on any hot dog aficionado's "bucket list." Speed's also can be found at the SoWa Open Market on Sundays through October. He occaisionally travels and you can keep tabs on the wagon's hours and whereabouts on Gregg's Facebook Page. When you stop by, grab some extra wet naps and tell Chef Gregg "the Hotdogman sent me."

Check out the Video of my visit to Boston Speed's on Hot Dog Stories

Fred's Franks: In Search of the Shnurble

To celebrate the last day of training for my new job, the boss sprung for lunch at Fred's Franks! My new co-workers had never been there and they were curious about the Shnurble.

These guys were curious too!

Fred's Franks is owned by Carl Gallasso, a former high tech type who spent 25+ years in the semi conductor business before taking an early retirement (he got laid off) a few years ago. He met former trailer owner, Fred, and bought the business. Carl has the market cornered on cool- just check out those shades!

Carl was grilling up Shnurbles today, as he does every day.

Carl grills on the Big Green Egg grill, "the Original American Designed Ceramic Cooker. Derived from an ancient clay cooker called a "kamado," the modern Big Green Egg has undergone many improvements since it was introduced in 1974. Especially significant is replacement of the clay used in early models with durable space-age ceramics developed specifically for Big Green Egg to make the EGG® virtually indestructible under ordinary cooking conditions."

Carl uses Wicked Good Charcoal, a five hardwood blend of lump charcoal made in Maine. He also throws apple wood into the mix. Good Stuff!

I had to admonish one of my new, young co-workers about putting ketchup on her hot dog...

Soone enough, my Shnurble was done! A Shnurble is a half link of chourico split down the middle, and a quarter pound, Pearl, all beef frank. The meats sits on a bed of sweet cabbage, mayonnaise, Carl's Sharasababa sauce, and Cholula hot Sauce. This is one serious sandwich!

Time to

CHOW DOWN!

It's a serious sandwich that's seriously AWESOME!

Head on up to Wakefield when you get a chance. Fred's is just off the rotary of exit 40 on route 128. Get yourself a Shnurble and make sure you tell Carl "the Hotdogman sent me." Wear your shades too.

Check out the Shnurble on video over at Hot Dog Stories.