Hot Dog! Food Cart Duo Puts Pleasure Over Profit

The operators of a portable hot dog stand have taken an unusual approach to customer service.

“It’s all about how we feed you," says Enox Shepard of Middletown. "If we see some kids who are hungry or thirsty, then we’ll give then something. If we have a bum come up to us, then we won’t give him money, but we’ll give him a hot dog."

Shepard and co-owner Eric Wells of Plainville take pleasure in sating people.

"This business is all about giving the community the best possible food we can and providing people with a needed service,” Shepard explains.

Most people would not expect to hear this sort of business motto from a typical hot dog stand, by nature a transient business model. But for Shepard and Eric Wells, EDogs's (so named because both owners’ first names start with E) business is about more than making money.

It's about making a connection with residents on a personal level.

For the first half of the summer, EDogs did a booming business at the corner of Grand and Main streets, across the from the Community Health Center under construction (where Steve’s Gas Station, now closed, once stood). Building workers and North End passersby stopped by for a quick bite from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In July, the car moved to deKoven Drive on weekends, across from Rental Center, at the baseball fields, and on Sundays, EDogs can be found at Vinal Technical School grilling dogs for softball games.

Shepard and Wells are old friends with experience in the food industry. Wells was a cook at the same restaurant where Shepard was a doorman and Wells owned and operated a bagel shop for five years before it went under in 2010. Even though Shepard and Wells hold other jobs — they are by no means amateurs.

They take EDogs seriously and want it to become an important dining option in Middletown.

Although Middletown is known for an array of restaurants, there are no quality food carts serving fast, hot food.

EDogs draws consistent business with tasty hot dogs, beverages and the especially popular chili.

In a short time, EDogs has gained an impressive following and sense of community. It is there in the jokes and high fives the men have with children or the friendly conversations and smiles of customers.

Middletown families are “excited when they see EDogs embracing the local community,” Shepard says.

Ultimately, EDogs wants to become a community institution in Middletown.

“Our ultimate goal is to be out here in the wintertime,” Shepard said. “If we can get an indoor vehicle for serving food, I think we’ll be able to establish ourselves even more.”            

We love you. Now show us some love! Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.