I just wanted to throw out an update to everyone.
I plan on opening CJ's Street Food full time starting the week of Labor Day, as I am still working out my notice at my current chef gig.
Everything is lined up as far as having a location to operate. As of right now, I have a regular location for the Gastro Dog Cart on the 2600 block of Hillsborough Street in Raleigh at the corner of Gardner Street and Hillsborough, across from DH Hill Library. I plan on adding other locations in other areas in the near future, but for the moment until I am up and running full-blast, this is the location I will start at.
I plan on setting up at my location on Hillsborough Street this Saturday, August 18th. It won't be the true Gastro Dog experience yet, since I don't have my charcuterie production up to speed, but there will just be some unique toppings for some high quality hot dogs and sausages. I just want to get started at this point!
I do have our first event lined up for Sunday, September 9th at Chatam Hill Winery in Morrisville, which I am really excited about. My charcuterie, toppings, and condiments will be the cart for that event!
As far, as the food truck goes, I just approved the CAD drawings, so they will be submitted to the health department for approval, and then construction will begin!
Everything is taking shape. I hope to see some of you this Saturday!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Big Day!
Today, we got approved for our city of Raleigh pushcart vendor permit for the Gastro Dog cart. We are now able to operate at our permitted location in Raleigh! Once we open, we will be permitted to be across from the NCSU library on Hillsborough Street.
Also, the process is almost complete of getting the commercial kitchen with the sausage making equipment all squared away.
I am headed off to Durham County offices this week to get the Durham permits all wrapped up. My understanding is that if I get can get through Raleigh's permitting process, then Durham's should be no problem. I am hoping to get it all wrapped up by the weekend.
I am seeing a light at the end of the initial regulatory process, and I am really excited to be able to open!
Thanks for following our progress, and for the encouragement and support!
Also, the process is almost complete of getting the commercial kitchen with the sausage making equipment all squared away.
I am headed off to Durham County offices this week to get the Durham permits all wrapped up. My understanding is that if I get can get through Raleigh's permitting process, then Durham's should be no problem. I am hoping to get it all wrapped up by the weekend.
I am seeing a light at the end of the initial regulatory process, and I am really excited to be able to open!
Thanks for following our progress, and for the encouragement and support!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
October 1!
Now that the contracts are signed and the check is delivered, we have an estimated date for the completion of the truck.
We are scheduled for an October 1st completion date on the truck, so mark your calenders!
Until then, come say "Hi," and check out the Gastro Dog Cart.
I am planning on having the cart out on the road by August 1st, barring any more bumps in the road.
I am working on locations for lunch stops and late-night stops for the cart. I have a good amount of feedback and suggestions on prospective locations, but I am always open to more suggestions!
I will continue to keep you updated on all the progress on the locations of the cart and truck construction through this blog.
We are scheduled for an October 1st completion date on the truck, so mark your calenders!
Until then, come say "Hi," and check out the Gastro Dog Cart.
I am planning on having the cart out on the road by August 1st, barring any more bumps in the road.
I am working on locations for lunch stops and late-night stops for the cart. I have a good amount of feedback and suggestions on prospective locations, but I am always open to more suggestions!
I will continue to keep you updated on all the progress on the locations of the cart and truck construction through this blog.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The Check is in the Mail!
It is a big day for us!
The sneeze guards are completed, shipped and the tracking number said they should be here by Wednesday. Once I have them in my hand, I will schedule my cart inspection with Wake County. Hopefully, they can schedule me for later this week, so that I can have my permit in my hand by the weekend. I just wanted to thank all the people at Top Dog Carts, who worked with me and the health department to design and manufacture the sneeze guards for the cart so they meet the new standards for the state.
The ink is dry on the contracts for the financing and construction of the truck! As ole' Jack Burton would say, " The check is in the mail!" (Sorry for the bad "Big Trouble in Little China" reference!) We signed the contracts, and we are on the board at the manufacturer to have our truck built. We started designing the truck, and looking at financing options over a year ago so it has been a long process to get to this day.
If all goes as planned, I will get the Gastro Dog cart out on my day off as early as next week!
Before we know it the truck will be on the road, and we will be doing our best to bring a great experience to you!
The sneeze guards are completed, shipped and the tracking number said they should be here by Wednesday. Once I have them in my hand, I will schedule my cart inspection with Wake County. Hopefully, they can schedule me for later this week, so that I can have my permit in my hand by the weekend. I just wanted to thank all the people at Top Dog Carts, who worked with me and the health department to design and manufacture the sneeze guards for the cart so they meet the new standards for the state.
The ink is dry on the contracts for the financing and construction of the truck! As ole' Jack Burton would say, " The check is in the mail!" (Sorry for the bad "Big Trouble in Little China" reference!) We signed the contracts, and we are on the board at the manufacturer to have our truck built. We started designing the truck, and looking at financing options over a year ago so it has been a long process to get to this day.
If all goes as planned, I will get the Gastro Dog cart out on my day off as early as next week!
Before we know it the truck will be on the road, and we will be doing our best to bring a great experience to you!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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!
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!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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!
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!
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