July 10, 2024

A new hot dog cart making its first appearance in Sioux Falls tonight checks a lot of boxes for the Mitchell family who runs it.

To start, Cliff Chamberlain and his wife, Jeanelle, have a dream of owning a food truck, which is an expensive venture, he noted, so Clifford’s Doggone Cart is a good place to begin.

Chamberlain, who teaches marketing at Dakota Wesleyan University, also wanted something to do over the summer with their sons.

Carter, 18, and Sawyer, 15, are happy with the extra money, and the business gives them an opportunity to explore what they might want to do with their lives, Chamberlain said.

With a background in sales and marketing, Chamberlain knew they needed something unique to draw customers. They’re providing that with hot dogs made by Creekside Meats in Hartford exclusively for Clifford’s.

The all-beef, premium hot dogs are 8 inches long, so they stick out an inch farther on each side of the bun, Chamberlain said.

Chili cheese, the New Yorker and the Carolina are on the menu every outing along with rotating specials.

“The New Yorker is classic street style with onion sauce,” Chamberlain said. The Carolina was inspired during his years of military service when he was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The hot dog is topped with pulled pork that has a vinegar-based barbecue sauce that’s tangy compared with a ketchup-based version.

“There are a couple of other people that do a pulled pork hot dog but nobody that does a North Carolina style. That’s already a standard because it has been so popular.”

The cart also sells fresh-squeezed lemonade.

“What also makes us unique is a lot of the other food trucks have a lot higher minimum to come out for an event,” Chamberlain said. “We’re actually trying to appeal to those smaller venues.”

Prices also are reasonable for families, he said. Kids can get a full meal for $5, and adults can get one, too, starting at $8.

“We are a high-quality, value option,” Chamberlain said, putting his marketing skills to work.

Since starting in mid-May, they’ve done pop-ups and public and private events in Mitchell, Yankton, Brookings, Madison, Howard and Ethan.

Tonight, Clifford’s Doggone Cart will be selling hot dogs at Great Bear Recreation Park from 5 to 8 p.m. for the first Chill at the Hill. The free event features live music. Beer and wine will be available, and Oh My Cupcakes also will be there. Saturday morning, Clifford’s will be at the farmers market in Dell Rapids.

Next week, the family will be back in Sioux Falls, with appearances downtown on Main Avenue for the Four Winds Music and Art Festival on July 19 and at Mulberry Market at 41st Street and Marion Road on July 21.

Find locations on Facebook or Street Food Finder.

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