Works like a charm!

Yesterday, I gave the Gastro Dog cart some lovin!

I tested the gas system, and everything works great. The steam tabels and the grill got hot quickly.

The electrical system needed to be adjusted slighlty so that the the battery would hold a charge better, and the water pump could operate more efficiently. So I cleaned up the elctrical system and the battery and the pump check out great!

I gave the cart a good clean with soap, water, a metal scrubby, and stainless steel polish.

I replaced a blown fuse on the truck that will be towing the cart, so that the flashers and brake lights work.

I am just waiting on the custom sneeze guards which I am expecting to ship early next week. Once I receive them, I can set up my inspection with the health department.

Here is a picture of the front of the Gastro Dog cart with the new sign on it!

Status Update

We just wanted to drop everyone a status update.

The closing date for the truck financing is set for early next week. The truck is being built by a manufacturer in Texas. They are customizing a 2006 Chevy Step Van, and turning it into the CJ's Street Food Truck. We are expecting the truck to be ready to go by Late September. We will post pictures of the construction on the blog and our Facebook page.

The Gastro Dog Cart is hung up in the inspections process with Wake County. We are hung up on sneeze guards. The Gastro Dog Cart is not the typical hot dog cart design, so there isn't a typical design yet for a sneeze guard. We have been going back and forth for the past few weeks on a design for a cover for the flat top grill. We are almost there, and we have two stainless steel fabricators lined up to do the work once the design is approved. To add to the excitement, the shipping company misplaced our custom graphic sign, so we have been trying to track it down and/or file a loss claim for the past three weeks. The replacement sign was shipped yesterday. We expect the Gastro Dog Cart to be on the road by the end of July or the first week in August.

We are excited to say that we have located two potential commercial kitchens in which to make the Gastro Dog sausages. We are still trying to locate a commercial space approved for food trucks. The first one we looked at in Durham, currently has no openings for another food truck.

Slowly, but surely our dream of the CJ's Street Food concept is coming together, and we are so excited to get out on the road, and make people happy doing what we love to do!

Stay tuned!

We bought the cart, and have filled the inspection forms with the department of health, as well as ordered the custom sign for the cart! I am so excited that this business is  finally starting to get rolling after a year or so of planning.  We also received preliminary approval from the SBA for financing on the construction of the food truck!

Until the truck is built, look for the CJ's Street Food Gastro Dog Cart! It will be serving all kinds of different charcuterie as well as complimentary toppings and condiments, as well as good ole' American hot dogs! I am even working on a few different types of vegetarian "dogs!"

Once the CJ's Street Food Truck is on the road, it will serve internationally inspired street food!

If you can't tell, I am really excited to make my ideas and inspirations a reality!

Thanks for following, and being patient! I look forward to seeing you on the street!

Gluttony in a Bun

Just to show that Mr. Chef-guy isn't all serious about food, I went way over the top.

I wrapped a hot dog in bacon and fried it. I then put spicy mustard, a dill pickle and sauerkraut in the roll with the beautiful bacon-wrapped dog.

It was so awesome that I couldn't believe that I have never done that in my life.

Absolutely gluttonous.

Pork with more pork and all the right classical fixings! I wasn't pretty enough for a picture but it was worth every, dirty bite!

More Asian Style Tacos

Pork Belly Taco with Pickled Red Cabbage, Siracha, and Grilled-Scallion Sour Cream

Asian-Style Tacos

Duck Taco with Pickled Red Cabbage and Cuccumbers, Sweet Chili Mayo, Shiitake Mushrooms, Bean Sprouts, and Hoisin-Soy Rice

A Simple, Ingredient-Driven Dish

Farm-Fresh Pork Chop with a Mesculin Mixed Green Salad with an Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

This is a pork chop from a local North Carolina farm, and may have been the best pork chop I have ever eaten. It is a perfect example of sometimes simpler is better. Amazing