Nipper's Gourmet Hot Dogs

They're NIPPERLICIOUS!

Nipper's Hot Dogs
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How Nipper's was born...a dogs tale.
by Bob Shenise
Like so many great ideas, Nipper's was conceived over a couple of cold brews. The idea of operating a hot dog cart was not first on our "to do" list but discussinos usually centered around finding a way to make a little extra cash and having fun. Walter, a retired New York State employee and I, owner of Shenise Productions, LLC, a video production company in Albany, enjoyed taking our spouses to craft fairs, antique shows and music festivals.
The more brews we consumed the more our discussions centered around food.  It wasn't until I watched a report on CBS News Sunday Morning about Hot Dog University that piqued my interest. 
I immediatly called Walter and suggested we attend the "Harvard of Encased Meats" because:
1. We needed a road trip
2. Operating a hot dog cart sounded like fun
3. The Miller Brewing Company was located in Milwaukee

 

So off we went to Milwaukee on our great adventure to learn about "The Art of the Cart"!

 
    Walter in the state of Beer Nirvana                         I found Paradise

 To this day I beleive the tour of the Miller Brewing Company sold Walter on the idea.
 
 
The first day at Hot Dog U with classroom discussions on  how to start a business, safety and health topics, cart specifications, purchasing and storing hot dogs and applying for local permits.

The second day was hands on for the Art of the Cart.

Our first customer

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The "Chicago Style" hot dog got its start from street cart hot dog vendors during the hard times of the Great Depression. Money was scarce, but business was booming for these entrepreneurs who offered a delicious hot meal on a bun for only a nickel. The famous Chicago Style Hot Dog was born! They'd start with a Vienna Beef hot dog, nestle it in a steamed poppyseed bun and cover it with a wonderful combination of toppings: yellow mustard, bright green relish, fresh chopped onions, juicy red tomato wedges, a kosher-style pickle spear, a couple of spicy sport peppers and finally, a dash of celery salt. This unique hot dog creation with a "salad on top" and its memorable interplay of hot and cold, crisp and soft, sharp and smooth, became America's original fast food and a true Chicago institution.

 

 
Hot Dog Guru Mark Reitman, Professor of Hot Dogs (PHD) shows off a BIG WALLY, a full half pound of encased joy and feared by all! 

The first class of 2008

Chicago's O'Hare Airport