Johnnies Hot Dog Stand

Posted on by Thor

I must drive past this stand at least 3 times a week. I finally decided to go to sketch and get a hot dog. The stand is located in the parking lot of a Chevron gas station. I walked up to the gas pumps and sat down on one of the cement pilings. As I was sketching a woman drove up to the pump I was sitting next to and she got out and started to to fill her tank. She said to me “I thought you were going to pump the gas for me.” I said, “If you are a good tipper I will.” Another man pumping gas said “He needs to put some mustard up there, his bun is starting to bleach in the sun.”
When I finished this sketch I finally went up to the ordering window to get myself a dog. This stand is a one man show. Johnnie has a thick New York accent and the attraction of the place is how he chats up each costumer. He dropped a whole potato into a device and pulled the leaver down slicing the potato into fries which he then threw in the oil. The hot dog itself was huge, at least 12 inches. A costumer in line said “He has the biggest wieners in town”. I ordered a dog with yellow mustard and sauerkraut. It was delicious.

10 thoughts on “Johnnies Hot Dog Stand”

  1. “He needs to put some mustard up there, his bun is starting to bleach in the sun.”

    HIlarious!

  2. I’ve driven by that stand several times, but never stopped in. I hear a loaded hot dog calling my name…

  3. Just a wonderful painting. Your art always brings to a happy moment. Keep up the good work….some of us really look forward to it. Thanks

  4. I love this place! I can’t always stop for a dog, but whenever I drive by, I am relieved it’s still there.

    Another favorite little stand is Goff’s (ice cream) on SOBT and Church. Almost always a line at this nondescript little place.

  5. Beautiful work as usual.

    I’m glad you documented this landmark on Colonial and Ferncreek because when I drove past it on Sunday it wasn’t there anymore !

    I wonder if it’s gone for good or just in for repairs (it is mobile after all) .

    I haven’t been out of the house again for the last couple of days so I’ll have to check and see if it’s back next time I drive past there.

  6. By the way, great interview on the Orlando Sentinel page ! You presented such a wonderful philosophy of life and art . I hope people saw this and were reminded to “slow down” in this crazy, fast-paced world , and that “art is a way to make it slow down”.

    I’m also really happy to see on the WDFAF alumni list that more of our former co-workers are FINALLY discovering your amazing blog ! (I’ve been dropping in here for months. Haven’t commented much, but your sketchbook work is always a joy.

  7. Mary Ann,Goff’s Ice cream is now on my short to do list. Expect to see it on AADW soon. I like the whole sketch then eat philosophy.
    Dave, I am glad you are still stopping in. By the way Urban Think is now my only bookstore thanks to your efforts. Sean just hooked me up to the WDFA Alumni site. The first thing I saw was all the posts of support. Knowing there are people out there makes this journey so much easier. Thanks.

  8. I love those hot dogs, my son (little insects) used to live right behind the gas station.
    Great sketch, very realistic. You should make post cards with sketches from different places in Orlando

  9. Anybody know why the stand is gone now? I showed up for my Saturday usual and it was like it was never there.

  10. I will have to stop at the gas station and find out what happened to the giant hot dog. Stay tuned…

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