We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dan Rossi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dan below.

Hi Dan, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

My name is Dan Rossi also known as The New York Hot Dog King. I am an Italian American disabled Marine veteran who currently owns the most famous hot dog cart in front of The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue. My hot dogs are known all over the world for their delicious and authentic New York style. I have been featured on Netflix series;Street Food, Munchies, Snap Judgement as well as my most recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. I recently wrote a memoir, The New York Hot Dog King; From Rags to Riches to less than Rags. The novel explores my journey from growing up as an Italian American in the Bronx, to my 2 tours in Vietnam, to my rise as the largest vending company in New York City. It discusses my continuous political plight to fight for the rights of disabled veterans to my current situation of sleeping in my van to protect my coveted location. It is a portrayal of moral character, honor and family values as well as a restoration of the American Dream. I am currently working on my own hot dog brand that should be distributed locally this Spring. I think I will make a nonpareil feature on your platform because of my experience, entrepreneurship, and my iconic persona of the New York Hot King

Dan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

To begin my story, I am a disabled Vietnam veteran. When I was honorably discharged from the Marines, I got a job at a sheet metal shop and learned the trade. I got into the vending business in the 1980s when I built a pushcart as a favor for a friend. When he decided that he didn’t want it, I decided to sell it. When I realized I was onto something I continued to build pushcarts and sell them and then eventually opened my own shop. By 1990s I became the biggest push cart manufacturer owning 499 permits and the New York Times named me the Pushcart King. Unfortunately, my reign didn’t last long. Mayor Guiliani passed a law eliminating the ability to own more than one permit. Because of this my company went bankrupt and I eventually lost my home. I went from owning 499 permits to 1. During this time, my wife fell very ill and I kind of gave up on fighting my ongoing plight with NYC. until I realized I could become a hot dog vendor using my one permit. I reinvented myself and am the most famous hot dog vendor located in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After I lost my business and became homeless, I had to reinvent myself and swallow my pride to become a hot dog vendor. Because of social media and various media outlets, I became known as the Hot Dog King and people from all over the world come to visit my hot dog cart in front of The Met.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I currently manufacture hot dog carts and customize other food carts. I originally got started in the 1980s.
I was a sheet metal worker and built a cart for a friend. When I manufacture a cart, I make the best product designed for the streets of NYC.
I am also working on my own own hot dog brand.
I also recently wrote a memoir that can be found on Amazon- The New York Hot Dog King- From Rags to Riches to less than Rags or you can listen to its Audiobook version on your favorite listening platform!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://newyorkhotdogsnyc.com/
• Instagram: @nyhotdogs
• Youtube: @TheNewYorkHotDogKing
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-york-hot-dogs-new-york-2

Image Credits

Elizabeth Rossi