A Chicago style hot dog vendor wagon is coming to Gallatin the first weekend in June. Opening location will be at 510 W. Grand St., between the sale barn and the old high school.
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The Von Opitz family will wheel out the wagon during a multi-family garage sale be- tween 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 6-7.
The Von Opitz have been in Gallatin for about 18 years. They are originally from Chicago where independent hot dog ven- dors plying the streets are a familiar sight.
“We miss the food,” said Nancy. “Whenever we go back we make sure and get a good Chicago hotdog.”
On a recent trip to the Windy City, her husband Don had the opportunity to buy a hot dog cart at a good price, so he did. Nancy likes to cook and the Opitz used to own a restaurant. The busi- ness will be a family affair. Their daughter Gracie, 12, will help this summer, along with some of her friends, under a watchful eye.
“It will teach them some business sense,” said Nancy.
The Von Opitz are planning to have a dog day on the courthouse square on Fridays and Saturdays. On Mondays, the cart will be at 510 W. Grand. They may also travel around and cater events. The cart may also be rented out.
“We’ll have hot dogs to go,” Nancy said. “People will be able to phone ahead if they want an order on their lunch hour.”
The weenie wagon is silver chrome with a distinctive um- brella. It is self-contained with running water. All the food is steam cooked.
Nancy said the drink offered is also a staple of Chicago that she remembers sitting in line waiting and waiting for. It’s an Italian lemonade-based ice.
“You can add any fruit you want,” said Nancy. “But since we have watermelon growing in the garden, ours will be water- melon.”
The Chicago style all-beef hot dog comes loaded with all the works — yellow mustard, relish, chopped onion, tomato wedges and a pickle spear, served on a poppy seed bun. Plus a secret ingredient. (Nancy said she can’t give it away; it’s added at the last minute.)
The Chicago hot dog doesn’t believe in ketchup. But ketchup will be available for those who want it. You may top your dog with homemade chili or take it plain.
Tom Tom Tamales will also be served with or without chili. (It’s not a Mexican tamale, Nan- cy said.) Also on hand will be Chicago style Italian beef sand- wiches. Lettuce and pasta salads may also be ordered. They plan to use a lot of produce from their garden.
“Come and try our Chicago style hot dog,” said Nancy. “You’ll be surprised at the dif- ference.”
Contact the Von Opitz family at 660-663-3004 for more infor- mation, parties or catering.