Sept. 3, 2021

A desire for a simpler lifestyle led a Florida family to the Sioux Falls area and new careers as operators of a hot dog cart.

Donna Cutrer and Mike Blewett, who live near Garretson with their son, Tyler, started Fred’s Franks in August.

“We came up to visit in February, and we just about fell in love with the lifestyle,” said Cutrer, whose brother Billy owns Kingbird Coffee Shop in Brandon with his wife, Ellison. “Everyone was kind and laid back.”

They went back to their home in the Tampa area, “packed up our stuff and moved here.”

The couple had been living a “fast-paced lifestyle,” she said, including their jobs. Blewett worked in aquatic pest control, and Cutrer was the office manager for another pest control company.

“We moved up here and knew we didn’t want to go back to working 40 to 60 hours a week.”

They came up with the idea of a hot dog cart, bought a small trailer and materials, and Blewett built it  “from the ground up.”

Fred’s Franks is based in Kingbird’s parking lot at 509 N. Splitrock Blvd.

It uses all-beef, quarter-pound hot dogs. Typical offerings include a Chicago dog, a chili dog with cheese and an avocado dog with pico de gallo and queso cheese.

“All the specialty hot dogs are things we thought would be a good fit.”

There’s also a build-your-own dog. Occasional pop-up Saturday morning offerings include a breakfast dog with a bratwurst, scrambled eggs, cheese and salsa.

And who’s the Fred behind Fred’s Franks?

“That’s the No. 1 leading question we get,” Cutrer said. “It’s my father-in-law’s name. His dad, Fred, is still back in Florida, and we’re trying to entice him to move to South Dakota. … He’s already joked that he’s in line for royalties.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, except for Wednesday when it’s open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fred’s Franks also is available for public and private events. Next week, it will be at Double D Saloon’s street dance Sept. 11 on Brandon’s Main Street. Find locations on Facebook and Instagram.

The couple doesn’t have a plan for the business during the winter. “We haven’t adapted to the cold yet,” she joked.

Love food trucks? Here’s your complete guide to the 2021 season