I am looking for the name of the manufacturer who makes the "Lucky
Dog" hot-dog shaped carts found in New Orleans.  They sell hot dogs in
them out on the street, and are very memorable and a great marketing
idea!  I would like a list of all hot dog cart manufacturers that
offer a cart that is in the shape of a hot dog.  I have seen many
carts that are just plain carts.  But, I want a hot-dog shaped one. 
(Just so you know, Willy's Dogs is the only one I have found thus far,
and their cart is not suitable, so please don't give me references to
that one).  Basically, I want a hot dog cart that is very simaler to
the lucky dogs cart.  If you can find a fiberglass designer who can
just make the lower hot dog part, that might be a suitable
alternative.  Any help would be appreciated.  But, please don't just
send me a generic list.  Feel free to use other search engines as well
to find the answer.  Many thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 31 Aug 2004 15:02 PDT

Dear Deepmartini,

Here is an an image of the Lucky Dogs hot dog cart.
http://www.geocities.com/guiadeviagem/pics/orleans1.jpg

All A Cart Manufacturing, Inc. seems to make a very similar cart.
http://allacart.com/specialized_hot_dog_cart.htm

Is this the type of cart you need or are you looking for something else?

Thanks,
Bobbie7

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Clarification of Question by deepmartini-ga on 31 Aug 2004 15:33 PDT

Hi,

The All A Cart hotdog isn't suitable.  It is too basic and looks to be
used more for "storage" and display.  Also it appears to have a grill
on it, I need one that I can use to boil the hot dogs with.  I really
need one more like the Lucky Dog's cart, with steaming/boiling pans,
etc.  The Lucky Dog carts are nice too because they can be pushed
around easily by one person (hence the handles on them).  What I
really need is a more mobile type of cart (lucky dogs), not a huge
trailer based version (like all a cart).  Anyway, hope this helps!

How about this one?
http://www.worldsbesthotdogcarts.com/cart_gallery.php

Hi, the cart listed at Worldsbesthotdogcart.com is actually a Willy
Dog's cart, that they are acting as re-sellers for.  As I mentioned
before, their carts aren't suitable.  What I am looking for is one
more like the Lucky Dog's cart.  Any help would be greatly
appreciated.  Thanks for looking for me...I know other hot dog vendors
out there are looking for the same thing.  Please keep trying!  :-)

I take it walking up to one of these carts you love and asking where
they got it isn't an option.

What you might consider is running an ad in the local want ads
requesting the info.  Offer $50.00 bucks and I bet you'd have your
answer within a week.

I have always loved the idea of Hotdog carts and selling great
hotdogs.  So I went a little crazy....

Here is what I found out.  Lucky dog does NOT sell their carts.  I
called them at 504 523-9260.  The guy on the other end of the phone
told me they do not make the carts themselves, but have them built
special.  I, of course, asked who builds them for you.  I was meet
with silence....  But, all was not lost, he did give me a new phone
number and that is: 504 524-6010, the "main office".  So if you are
really interested in the Lucky Dog Hotdog cart and can talk your way
into a hotdog sellers heart, you may get a phone number for the
builder!  Or  maybe, just maybe, be able to buy a cart that they are
no longer using....

I suggest reading the article at the first link as it will give you an
idea of the owner.

I found this, it might be of interest.

http://www.inc.com/magazine/19990801/830.html

and this:


Description:
Lucky Dogs is a staple sight in the French Quarter. There is even a
book about the hot dog cart empire: Managing Ignatius: The Lunacy of
Lucky Dogs and Life in the Quarter

After World War II, brothers Stephen and Erasmus Loyacano wheeled
their Lucky DOg carts onto the streets of New Orleans. By 1949, they
decided to market the popular steamed hot dogs at a convention. When
hundreds asked for information, the brothers forget about sales and
moved into leasing or franchising.

Their advertisemtn read "Cruise the midway. Get around town. You and
Lucky Dog follow the crowd." "A red hot steam job that will roll up
profits everywhere you go." "Steam cooks 100 dogs, buns, and chili.
Stores everything for 300 more." "A fleet of eight carts now
successfully operating in New Orleans." They were not succesful, and
by 1952 gave up and after 23 years of steaming wienies and buns, the
Loyacanos sold the business.

New health code requirements stated that Lucky Dogs could not longer
steam their dogs, but had to sell pre-packaged product.
The board of health finally agreed that a sneeze guard and a fancy
hand-washing system were sufficient and the company went back to
steaming their hot dogs. Doug Talbot and Peter Briant purchased Lucky
Dogs Novelty Carts Inc. in 1970.

If anyone can find the name, address and telephone number of the
manufacturer of the Lucky Dog's cart, that would answer my question.

For those of you who live in or near New Orleans, maybe you can walk
up to the cart and look for a name on it or something.  I live in the
Boston area so am not in the area.

If someone wants to try calling Lucky Dog's main number at
504-524-6010, maybe you can get the manufacturers name from someone
there.  I couldn't get through to anyone and wasn't able to leave a
message, so maybe someone else will have more luck.  Try to sweettalk
them, and emphasize that you are outside their area, so aren't any
competition to them.  Try flattering them on their carts too, maybe
that will work.  Any help would be appreciated.

Please let me know.  Many thanks to everyone for trying!