Mobile Vending with UDS?

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Philly-QueMaster

is one Smokin' Farker
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Is it possible to start doing some mobile vending on the weekends just using a few UDS'? I would like to try some mobile vending on Saturdays and Sundays but don't want to invest a lot of money in a big expensive smoker. I have two UDS' right now and could make a couple more if needed. I was thinking of just starting small...chicken and ribs, and maybe pulled pork sandwhiches. Anyone done anything like this? Would the health department care what I'm cooking on? I'm not even sure where to start. I guess I should contact the health depart and see what their requirements are?

Patrick
 
Philly-QueMaster said:
. I guess I should contact the health depart and see what their requirements are?

Patrick
Click to expand...
You've got it. Here in NE, as long as they see I'm properly cleaning my drums it is OK. Some jurisdictions won't allow the use of a smoker unless it has a stainless interior.
 
Most HD's are more interested in your prep area and vending area. Also how you keep food hot once it's off the smoker and how you do cool down and reheat. Of course here in MI when you write SOP's that say you're cooling meat with shocking in a cooler with ice water they say great. Then ask where your NSF approved fridge is. So write SOP's that say I will sell what I cook. It can be as easy as an EZUP with bus tubs and a water cooler with hot water for washing. Of course there's lots more like test strips for water, sanitizers, heating water, etc. And once you bring in a turkey fryer then you have the issues with the fire dept about safety.

So you're right about starting with the HD. And don't forget local govt as they will want a license fee plus you need to register for state sales tax if there's tax on food in PA.
 
 
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. I actually spoke the health department and it sounds like it would be easier if I got setup with a local VFW, Church, Fire Hall, or Non-Profit organization. I would be able to use their kitchen as long as it met the HD's code requirements. This is the list they gave me for what they look for.

3 Compartment sink for Washing, Rinsing, and Sanitizing
Food prep sink for washing fruits, veggies, and meat
Mop Sink
Hand Washing Sink - Need one withing every 20 feet of working area.
Materials - Floors, Walls, Ceiling should be smooth and non-porous and easily cleanable.

I now have to find a site to work with.

Patrick
 
I guess these posts rule-out a corner of your local mall as a vending site!!!Here in Illinois ( springfield) a local D.J. named "one-eyed jack", set up in a parking lot on a highly traveled area , and calls himself the " Dr. Of BBQ". I believe he does quite well!!!:icon_bugeyedHe has a large off-set smoker , but also has a trailer for vending like you see at county fairs etc.( Thought I should add that!)
 
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Philly-QueMaster said:
I live in Montgomery County.....
Click to expand...

on purpose? :eek:


hehe you poor souls should get a yearly stipend for what you have to deal with over there.... :mrgreen: id have a gun in my mouth about day 3:-D

anyway, good luck on your q'in idear. :)
 
brer rabbit said:
on purpose? :eek:


hehe you poor souls should get a yearly stipend for what you have to deal with over there.... :mrgreen: id have a gun in my mouth about day 3:-D

anyway, good luck on your q'in idear. :)
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with Montgomery County? I love it here...if I still lived in Philly I wouldn't be too happy.
 
Philly-QueMaster said:
Whats wrong with Montgomery County? I love it here...if I still lived in Philly I wouldn't be too happy.
Click to expand...


i was just jokin about bein in the city half of the state. to the rest of us, everything on the east side of 81 and south of 80 is philly:rolleyes:. glad u are happy where uare:smile:
 
Yo Patrick,

I'm guessing you talked to Jackie at the Montco HD? She's the one that got me passed and she's a good person to work with.

You need to differentiate between temporary vendor at fairs, festivals, airshows, community days, etc. where your presense is temporary and having regular hours in a fixed location.

As a temporary vendor you need use of a commisary, or a licensed kitchen that is up to current code.

As a seasonal vendor or vendor with limited hours in a fixed location, like myself and whooley, there is a whole other set of more stringent rules. You have to have a permanent roof over your cooking and serving area and the ceiling must meet the finishes rules. You also need a hot water handwash sink. You also cannot hold food outside of tthe cooker, meaning you have to serve it out of the cooker.

I could not find a club that was willing to host a pavilion so I got the bright idea of permenantly attaching a permanent roof to my cooker. It passed.
 
Michael in PA said:
Yo Patrick,

I'm guessing you talked to Jackie at the Montco HD? She's the one that got me passed and she's a good person to work with.

You need to differentiate between temporary vendor at fairs, festivals, airshows, community days, etc. where your presense is temporary and having regular hours in a fixed location.

As a temporary vendor you need use of a commisary, or a licensed kitchen that is up to current code.

As a seasonal vendor or vendor with limited hours in a fixed location, like myself and whooley, there is a whole other set of more stringent rules. You have to have a permanent roof over your cooking and serving area and the ceiling must meet the finishes rules. You also need a hot water handwash sink. You also cannot hold food outside of tthe cooker, meaning you have to serve it out of the cooker.

I could not find a club that was willing to host a pavilion so I got the bright idea of permenantly attaching a permanent roof to my cooker. It passed.
Click to expand...

Hey Mike thanks for the info. Yes I talked to Jackie and she said it would be easier for me to get setup with a commisary that has a kitchen up to code. She didn't mention anything about having a roof over the cooking and serving area. I wasn't planning on changing locations, but was thinking of a permanent location like you have and Whooleys. There are a few VFW Halls in my area I could try contacting. I wasn't aware that you have to serve the food right out of the cooker. At Whooley's they store the food in coolers and serve from there. I was thinking of doing something similar. So I guess an EZ up wouldn't past the test of a permanent roof would it? Do you have any pictures of your setup? I still need to make my way up to lansdale to checkout your food. Thanks again for the info.

Patrick
 
Philly-QueMaster said:
Whats wrong with Montgomery County? I love it here...if I still lived in Philly I wouldn't be too happy.
Click to expand...
What wrong with Philly? I live in Philly chit happens everywhere. Keep us posted Willow Grove 15 min away.
 
Philly-QueMaster said:
Thanks everyone for the replies. I actually spoke the health department and it sounds like it would be easier if I got setup with a local VFW, Church, Fire Hall, or Non-Profit organization. I would be able to use their kitchen as long as it met the HD's code requirements. This is the list they gave me for what they look for.

3 Compartment sink for Washing, Rinsing, and Sanitizing
Food prep sink for washing fruits, veggies, and meat
Mop Sink
Hand Washing Sink - Need one withing every 20 feet of working area.
Materials - Floors, Walls, Ceiling should be smooth and non-porous and easily cleanable.

I now have to find a site to work with.

Patrick
Click to expand...

Been there...done that...still lookin' for a prep kitchen! :sad: Good luck Patrick! :biggrin:
 
bam said:
What wrong with Philly? I live in Philly chit happens everywhere. Keep us posted Willow Grove 15 min away.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should clarify...I hate the government that runs Philly. Mayor Street was a crook. Doing business in Philly is a pain in the @$$. They have like the highest taxes amongst the larger cities. City wage tax...3 percent transfer tax on real estate, you have to pay taxes on Gross Profits up front when doing taxes. Whats that about?

Patrick
 
With Mayor Street the deal was pay to play. The new Mayor I call Cutter his deal is just pay. My Family used a local bar for their kitchen. Had to do some hot wings and fries for their customers for use of kitchen.
 
Here in my part of TN I use the drums roughly 5 times a year for vending. These gigs are small street fairs and the like. The HD does not come around here for 1 day gigs. I cook all my meat at home, pull, shred/slice etc./place in aluminum pans and cool to below 40F. The next day when I set up, I take my drums along and fire them up and I use them to reheat the meat and maintain their temp. Everyone really loves the look and design of a UDS and it really attracts business with people wanting to kmow what they are. Never had any trouble with HD coming around trying to shut me down.(They dont do inspections for one day events as said, but you do see them there just spotchecking I suppose) BTW, I always throw some cherry chunks in the UDS when fireing them up. Even tho I'm just reheating in the pans, the smell of the cherry wood smoke attracts customers as well.
 
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