Trainspotter Posted April 21, 2009 Share #1 Posted April 21, 2009 It’s a dog-eat-dog world for Brooklyn’s top hot dog sellers these days. The sinking economy has taken a big bite out of the borough’s top-grossing hot dog carts — which are now struggling to lure enough customers to pay their sky-high rents. Vendor Timothaos Ayad, who pays the borough’s top-dog price of $48,000 a year in rent to the city to set up his cart outside Brooklyn Supreme Court, said business is down nearly 50% since August. “I hope I will break even,” said Ayad, 46, a father of three, who has had the pricey contract for more than two years. Ayad, who peddles $1.75 hot dogs and $5 gyros to the throngs of court workers, jurors and others passing through the bustling downtown Brooklyn spot, said he has been hurt by the fact that so many people now bring their lunches from home as a way to save money. “In the morning, I see everybody coming by with their bag of lunch,” he said, adding he has decided to throw in the towel and not bid on the spot when it is up again at the end of the year. “The job is too tiring and the economy is bad, so it’s not worth it anymore,” he said, adding he has to finish out his contract or lose his hefty deposit. Outside Ayad’s cart, mom Jenny Guerra, 35, wouldn’t let her son Houston, 10, stop for a $1.75 pretzel because the family is tightening its belt after her husband’s retail employer stopped giving bonuses. “My husband is packing his lunch and I’m packing snacks for the kids,” said Guerra, who tried to offer Houston crackers instead. “I feel bad he still has to pay the same rent,” she said of Ayad. “But not bad enough,” she added. In Prospect Park, where some of the next-biggest rents are located, times are also tough. Tarek Elhashash, who pays $27,000 to operate a cart at the busy Ninth St. entrance in Park Slope, and another $20,250 to work the Ninth St. ballfields, is bracing for an even worse summer than last year. “It’s hurting us very much,” said Elhashash, 32, whose business last year was already down 30% from the year before. “The same customer who used to come to me and spend $10 on two hot dogs and two drinks and an ice cream, now they get one ice cream and they split it.” Elhashash said he has also been hurt by brown-baggers. “Now, people come to the park with their cooler and their own stuff,” he said. “Everybody is trying to save money.” Still, Elhashash said there could be a silver lining to the bad economy, if streams of people cancel vacations this summer and instead head to the park for fun. “I hope so,” he said. “Maybe then, it’ll be a good year.” BY Elizabeth Hays DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER April 21st 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted April 21, 2009 Share #2 Posted April 21, 2009 I'm trying to do my part to support the economy, in NY and NJ and PA and wherever else i can, but i can only do so much with my limited funds. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbanfortitude Posted April 21, 2009 Share #3 Posted April 21, 2009 i always found it to be a better deal to buy my own hot dogs and grill em at home. The prices at the carts for them were always a bit outlandish in my opinion. But I love the $5 chicken on rice with a soda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted April 21, 2009 Share #4 Posted April 21, 2009 i always found it to be a better deal to buy my own hot dogs and grill em at home. The prices at the carts for them were always a bit outlandish in my opinion. But I love the $5 chicken on rice with a soda. Just like at a ballpark you got the option of bringing in food, but if you're just in need of a bit to eat that fills you and on the go, the food stands are perfect. I just don't carry cash with me unless i need to pay a bill with it. I've been wanting some bbq chicken and roasted nuts for the longest time, in th middle of winter you go out at like 3 am and you got that amazing smell going on. Not fair! - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 21, 2009 Share #5 Posted April 21, 2009 I feel bad for them. Those gyro trucks have always been serving great food for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubwayGuy Posted April 21, 2009 Share #6 Posted April 21, 2009 Exactly. I support these guys by buying from them and not from Starf***s or those pretentious delis like "Cafe Metro" "Cafe Europa" "Pax" "Pret a Manger" that I am seeing everywhere. Their overpriced sandwiches can go to hell, I'll buy from the "local yokels" any day of the week, even if it costs a little bit more than I might like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbanfortitude Posted April 21, 2009 Share #7 Posted April 21, 2009 Just like at a ballpark you got the option of bringing in food, but if you're just in need of a bit to eat that fills you and on the go, the food stands are perfect. I just don't carry cash with me unless i need to pay a bill with it. I've been wanting some bbq chicken and roasted nuts for the longest time, in th middle of winter you go out at like 3 am and you got that amazing smell going on. Not fair! - A I hear ya....they get my business on occasion...i just dont tend to buy food that i can make much better at home. Meaning I haven't bought a hot dog at a hot dog stand since i was 15. Tend to buy their chicken and rice stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maserati7200 Posted April 21, 2009 Share #8 Posted April 21, 2009 This thread is making me hungry for hotdogs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted April 22, 2009 Share #9 Posted April 22, 2009 This thread is making me hungry for hotdogs.. Indeed. Nice big plump franks with a firm roll and some toppings. Coney island caviar! :cool: :tup: . :eek: - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 22, 2009 Share #10 Posted April 22, 2009 This thread is making me hungry for hotdogs.. Can't resist the temptation to help them........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 22, 2009 Share #11 Posted April 22, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest Glen Posted April 22, 2009 Share #12 Posted April 22, 2009 I buy hot dogs at Gray's Papaya, not the carts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RokuSix Posted April 22, 2009 Share #13 Posted April 22, 2009 I would love to support the local street meat, but every time I eat it I feel extremely sick the next day. I don't know why they just can't serve hot dogs, gyros, and chicken and rice in an indoor, slightly more sanitary restaurant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Julio Posted April 22, 2009 Share #14 Posted April 22, 2009 I would love to support the local street meat, but every time I eat it I feel extremely sick the next day. I don't know why they just can't serve hot dogs, gyros, and chicken and rice in an indoor, slightly more sanitary restaurant. It's probably why you get sick. Eat more street meat and you'll see how you won't be getting sick no more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 23, 2009 Share #15 Posted April 23, 2009 I would love to support the local street meat, but every time I eat it I feel extremely sick the next day. I don't know why they just can't serve hot dogs, gyros, and chicken and rice in an indoor, slightly more sanitary restaurant. It depends per person. Some people, after eating the food once, won't feel anything. I had qualms when I first bought halal food from a truck near Wall Street. But the aroma overrode my fear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest Glen Posted April 24, 2009 Share #16 Posted April 24, 2009 Street vendors don't wash their hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 24, 2009 Share #17 Posted April 24, 2009 Street vendors don't wash their hands The thing is though, while those guys don't wash their hands, the people inside the restaurants cooking aren't clean either. I've heard cases of gastroenteritis illness due to restaurant cooks "dropping a few friends into the lake" and not washing their hands and then proceeding to cook the food. Wasn't "Typhoid Mary" an example of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbanfortitude Posted April 24, 2009 Share #18 Posted April 24, 2009 It depends per person. Some people, after eating the food once, won't feel anything. I had qualms when I first bought halal food from a truck near Wall Street. But the aroma overrode my fear. its kinda like how i can eat white castles...i used to be able to eat no more than 4 lol now i can kill quite a few and be fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32 3348 Posted April 26, 2009 Share #19 Posted April 26, 2009 I prefer to buy hot dogs and buns and make them at home. $2 for a dog is a bit overpriced IMO, whereas $7 for 10 hot dogs and 8 buns is a much better deal. Still, you gotta feel for those hot dog stands. Must be a b!tch to get by in that economy...(sorry, but with all the bad dog puns...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest Glen Posted April 26, 2009 Share #20 Posted April 26, 2009 its kinda like how i can eat white castles...i used to be able to eat no more than 4 lol now i can kill quite a few and be fine... The only time I really felt ill from fast food was when I had the macaroni and cheese at KFC. It's not even real cheese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 26, 2009 Share #21 Posted April 26, 2009 The only time I really felt ill from fast food was when I had the macaroni and cheese at KFC. It's not even real cheese. Man, don't remind me of Taco Bell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locomotion69 Posted April 28, 2009 Share #22 Posted April 28, 2009 Since we are on the subject of hot dogs,this is a good read. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb2008019_705788.htm Not a bad gig if you have an outgoing personality,would be better suited indoors so weather isn't a problem. Me,I rather sell flavored ices from a cart,not as complex as hot dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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