J Doggs is back in business

A popular hot dog shop has reopened in Shawano. J Doggs hot dogs is once again serving customers after having been closed for 2020.

The food truck is in its fifth year of operation. Operator Jeremy Weed said the 2020 shutdown wasn’t really caused by the the pandemic.

“It was the new regulations that kind of stabbed us a little bit,” Weed said. “Being a food truck, goofy things come up, like you can’t have a mop sink near food.”

Weed said that he and his team were able to reopen due to their willingness to show inspectors the active and precise cleaning measures they take to ensure a cleanly work area.

“We got through all of the loops and were able to make it work, and that is why we are here this year,” said Weed.

The truck is operated by Weed and three of his family members. They serve hot dogs, chili dogs, hamburgers, chili, cheese curds and lemonade among other items.

He said that one of the most popular items on the menu is the fresh squeezed lemonade. They make all of their lemonade in person.

“The lemonade is fresh squeezed,” said Weed. “We slice them and smash them.”

According to Weed, the burgers are also a very popular item on the menu.

With his reopening, Weed has noticed that many people in the area are coming to the stand for food.

“On Monday, everything went out,” said Weed. “It was our first day open. We sold out on chili and dogs on Monday. We had to basically close early.”

He added that they had to turn people away at 6:15 p.m. because demand for food was higher than supply. The stand usually closes at 7 p.m.

Weed anticipates there to be crowds of people throughout the first month or so of the reopening.

“We always stay on it,” said Weed. “It may be like this the first month or so.”

He attributes the first-day sellout to the encouragement from people within the Shawano community.

“It is almost emotional to see all of this support,” Weed said. “When you have a line that reaches the street, it may seem overwhelming, but they are willing to wait.”

According to Weed, seeing all of the old faces and the regulars, as well as seeing all of the support from the community is a bright sight after shutting down for a year.

The opening of J Doggs grew from his passion for cooking and preparing food for others.

“My partner, Amber, mentioned that she knew the owners of Vienna Beef,” Weed said. “She mentioned having a hot dog stand and I thought — let’s give it a whirl.”

Weed stipulated that he would go in on the idea if he could include the “J Dogg,” a chili cheese dog, which has become a signature item at the stand. Weed’s previous boss gave him the nickname J-Dogg.

Weed has made the stand a big part of his life, even tattooing itslogo on his leg.

J Doggs hot dog stand is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com