MONTROSE, N.Y. Just across from Hendrick Hudson High School, Joe Carroll can be seen in a used, bright red, Buchanan Fire Department rescue truck, selling hotdogs. Carroll said he had wanted to be a fireman since he was 5 years old, and like his first career, he came across selling hotdogs by way of his youth as well.
One summer, my mom had a garage sale and me and my friends sold hotdogs, and made more money selling hotdogs than they made at the garage sale, said Carroll. Firedogs Incorporated started as a push cart, eventually became a trailer, and is now a full-on hotdog truck that once was a rescue vehicle that went to auction.
Carroll sits across from the same high school he and his father graduated from, the same high school his daughter now attends, and the same high school his son will attend in just a couple of years. His family has been in Montrose for 85 years, and although the firemans career is in Mount Vernon, he said he has no shortage of friends in Montrose.
When I first started, I went home and my right arm started hurting, Carroll said, It was because I was waving to everyone. Carroll says he and his hotdog truck will probably be together into his 70s. If that does happen, its no secret why -- Carroll knows every customer by name. Most of his equipment was found by making phone calls, not by attending auctions, and the vendor gets as many honks as he gets customers.
Hes local, good hotdogs, everyone knows him, said Johnny Lawrence, after chatting with Carroll about his father. I dont even like hotdogs, said Lawrence, after he ordered a chile-cheese dog.
Firedogs is open according to Joe Carrolls work schedule as a fireman in Mount Vernon, but he is usually across from Hendrick Hudson High School, located on Route 9 in Montrose, on Mondays from just before noon to around 3 p.m. He is occasionally there on Saturday and Sunday as well, and is available for catering and special events.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
