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An italian hotdog is a type of hotdog popular in north jersey and the boardwalk of the jersey shore. Although there are a number of different ways to prepare one, the basic ingredients are a cooked hot dog and a combination of fried peppers (green or red), onions, and potatoes cooked in soybean oil. The hot dog is then placed in pizza bread, and topped with the vegetables and potatoes and some like it with mustard or ketchup.
Altho not much, I have a little input from trying to find an Italian hot dog here, which I have not seen on any menu. I luvs me some Italian hotdog!
THEN, I was stoked to see it on a menu of an Italian restaurant where I became a regular customer. We're talking, hot dogs, peppers, onions, potatoes, mozzarella cheese wrapped in pizza dough and baked in a brick oven - the good stuff - right? Also,the version I have had previously in NJ (North Jersey).
Well, one time I went and they changed their menu a bit and they TOOK OFF "my" Italian hot dog!
I asked the owner why and his reply was " People kept pointing and asking what the heck is an Italian hot dog" (like Lumbollo said).
He said they didn't sell. (They made it delicious and I miss being able to order them )
That DOES NOT mean there is not a market for them, I am just throwing that out there since you are looking for input. I know I would be at your door. And I am guessing, DITTO what Couponjack said, about LOCATION, service,price and food, there might be others out there like me looking for YOUR product.
This story took place over a year or two ago? And despite this restaurant being off the beaten path, seem to be doing A'OK. Location might be against them, but they are thriving on the other mentioned factors, service, price, and food (At least IMO).
I mention that to you, because, this place does a big word a mouth business from people out there excited about their product. Just like I was excited to see "your future product".
I wish you luck! (lucky for me, if you succeed) Don't knock'em till ya tried 'em!
sounds yummy. Does it have to be a specific brand of hot dog? (Like our Chicago dogs have to be Vienna beef hot dogs or they are not the same)
I am not sure what brand they use. I did not live very close to a Jimmy Buffs, so I was only there a few times, we made our own. We used "Best" brand beef hot dogs.
heartsN charlotte... where was that italian restaurant?
and yes price, service and location would be key.
thats are biggest challange is trying to decide where to open it
we would still offer your normal hot dogs and sausage sandwiches for the people that like a normal push cart style dirty water dog.
if we do anything it would take a while to get it up and running and hopefully everyone will be doing better money and job wise. and the area and prices would have to be right, i was thinking somewhere in the middle of charlotte around southpark or even somewhere on carmel rd but we are not sure yet. and yes the prices would have to be right to bring people back some of the places up north charge $5 for a single dog and $7 for a double sandwich thats two foot long dogs with onions, peppers, and potatos its a whole meal in its self and maybe we can have specials like you buy a double and get a free drink, you go to mc donalds its $6 for a hamburger fries and a drink and its crappy food....
If you head there, you are almost guaranteed to have mostly natives who simply won't pay that kind of money for a hotdog. I would recommend that you head to the further flung suburbs where there are a lot more transplants. As I said earlier, the reason there are no expensive hotdog shops in the South is because Southerners don't consider this to be something to spend a lot of money on. IMO, I think it is a mistake to assume that because you located in an expensive area, that it means people will pay expensive prices for food.
You should add grease truck sandwiches to the menu! You will probably have to diversify your menu, because regardless of all the transplants, most people here won't know what they are and may be hesitant to order them. Also, make sure you add local stuff to the menu, like a Carolina style hot dog, sweet tea, etc. just to be safe. And I think your concept would work better in the Ballantyne/Blakeney/Arboretum area rather than SouthPark.
You should add grease truck sandwiches to the menu! You will probably have to diversify your menu, because regardless of all the transplants, most people here won't know what they are and may be hesitant to order them. Also, make sure you add local stuff to the menu, like a Carolina style hot dog, sweet tea, etc. just to be safe. And I think your concept would work better in the Ballantyne/Blakeney/Arboretum area rather than SouthPark.
Yes, a grease truck/italian dog/pizza place would do well in certain areas!...
the point is like a couple posters said, you won't get the natives to bite however that is not the target market. But you still can be successful, you just have to be smart about location/pricing,etc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lumbollo
If you head there, you are almost guaranteed to have mostly natives who simply won't pay that kind of money for a hotdog. I would recommend that you head to the further flung suburbs where there are a lot more transplants. As I said earlier, the reason there are no expensive hotdog shops in the South is because Southerners don't consider this to be something to spend a lot of money on. IMO, I think it is a mistake to assume that because you located in an expensive area, that it means people will pay expensive prices for food.
I get what you're saying 100%. I lived in South Jersey for over 40 years & never heard of Italian hot dogs until I saw it on this board. The same goes for a number of food items that pop up here. Never heard of them. Never saw them on a menu.
If it was me & I was looking to play to the transplant crowd, I would add MidAtlantic foods to the NY/North Jersey foods, as well as a few local items. For instance, from Philly to Richmond, Maryland crab cakes are very popular. If you drive around South Jersey, you will find barbecue places, complete with whole pigs being turned on spits over fires built in large pits that have been dug in the ground.
thanks guys, yes we would still offer other stuff it would be anything that has to do with hot dogs and sausages and yes we would want the people from the south so the Carolina dog the regular push cart style dog and sweet tea would be on the menu..
grease truck sandwiches would be awesome but we want to start out simple at first
we are pricing up the equipment right now. and started looking into leases
thanks guys..keep your thoughts coming and i will keep you updated
An italian hotdog is a type of hotdog popular in north jersey and the boardwalk of the jersey shore. Although there are a number of different ways to prepare one, the basic ingredients are a cooked hot dog and a combination of fried peppers (green or red), onions, and potatoes cooked in soybean oil. The hot dog is then placed in pizza bread, and topped with the vegetables and potatoes and some like it with mustard or ketchup.
That actually sounds pretty tasty.
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