Business Is Booming for “The Hot Dog Chef”

When times are tough, the tough take a drive down Martine Avenue and visit “The Hot Dog Chef” for an old-fashioned, all-American hot dog.

At $1.50 each, it’s a steal—and local hot dog lovers, as well as those from several neighboring towns, are dropping by Ron DeJohn’s portable food cart to take advantage of it.

A Scotch Plains resident and self-named “Hot Dog Chef," DeJohn has been selling hot dogs on the shoulder of Martine Avenue for the past 4 ½ years. He got started in the restaurant business 30 years ago while working at a ski resort, and then moved into construction. When he retired, DeJohn decided to get into the hot dog business because he “wanted to do something to keep busy.”

Why hot dogs?

“Everyone sells hamburgers,” DeJohn said.

“And, I really like hot dogs,” he added with a grin. “My favorite is with chili, hot sauce and spicy mustard.”

DeJohn is a purist. He only sells Sabrett hot dogs with all the fixings: homemade chili, sauerkraut, relish and cooked onions, plus soft drinks and bagged chips on the side. He serves it up wearing full chef whites, including the traditional chef’s toque (hat).

Business is good. DeJohn’s cart is open six days a week, weather permitting. He sells more than 100 hot dogs per day, even though there are two competing carts on the outskirts of town.

“There’s a cart on South Avenue almost in Westfield and one down Terrill Road by Watchung,” DeJohn said. “But, they do more than hot dogs. Theirs is a luncheonette-type thing. I’m only about hot dogs—and service."

In fact, DeJohn says that when the elderly drive up, they don’t even get out of their car. They just roll down the window, and he brings the food to them.

"I have a lot of moms who do the same thing," he said. "They don’t have to get the kids out of the car seats."

DeJohn samples at least one hot dog per day to ensure everything is cooked to perfection.

“You have to test your product and be consistent,” he said. “You need to make sure it’s all right—not undercooked or overcooked. People expect it to be the same every time.”

But DeJohn’s cooking and low prices aren’t the only reasons why drivers pull over to his cart. His outgoing personality and genuine concern for his customers have made “The Hot Dog Chef” a fixture in the community.

“I’ve worked in Scotch Plains for 15 years, and I always come here,” said Iselin resident Chris Minor. “Ron’s hot dogs are wonderful. I’m on my way to work, and I love that I don’t need to worry about making lunch.”

First-timer Annie Shere of Rahway added: “Ron has a nice face. He has a glow, and it makes you want to come here. He makes you feel very comfortable, and his hot dogs are perfect. I’ll be coming back for sure.”

Her husband Jimmy agreed.

“It’s a good dog,” he said.

The Hot Dog Chef

Martine Avenue, between Cliffwood Street and Mary Ellen Lane

Scotch Plains, NJ

Monday through Saturday, 10am - 3:30pm

Hot dogs are $1.50 each, $1.75 with chili or onions, and $2.00 for dogs with everything.

Lunch specials offered daily.