April 1, 2022

A dream of escaping corporate life and being able to focus on his daughter has led Comet Kamalo Buum to start a hot dog cart.

Let Me Be Frank made its debut today in the parking lot of Runnings at 49th Street and Western Avenue and will be back there Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — or earlier if Buum sells out like he did today. He’ll also be near downtown bar Wileys beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday.

It’s the start of a new full-time career for the dad who has shared custody of his 6-year-old daughter, Emerald, whom he describes as his manager and business partner.

“The biggest reason I decided to do this is the time I spent with her wasn’t quality time. I’d been in corporate life for a decade, and it drained it out of me. … My daughter is the most important thing in my life,” said Buum, who was born in Hawaii – hence the middle name of Kamalo – and grew up in Olivet. He has been in Sioux Falls on-and-off  since 2005.

The hot dog cart is built on a small trailer with wheels, so Buum can tow it with his Subaru Outback. The trailer can be unhooked and pushed by hand into spaces where a vehicle wouldn’t fit, so it’s going to be very convenient for a variety of events, he said.

“It’s extremely mobile. It will allow me to be most places food trucks can’t, but it doesn’t mean any sacrifice in the quality of meal you get.”

Let Me Be Frank’s menu features quarter-pound, all-beef hot dogs that are regionally sourced, Buum said. They come on a steamed bun, which is “a game changer.”

There’s a classic dog with ketchup, mustard and relish; a chili dog with all-beef chili and shredded cheese; and a Chicago dog with seven traditional toppings. Combo meals come with chips and a drink. There’s a kids meal that offers water or juice as an alternative to soda.

He’s developing a South Dakota-style dog with a local locker that will include buffalo meat and all locally sourced ingredients.

Buum eventually will add a gluten-free bun and a nonmeat hot dog alternative.

As the season progresses, he plans to add a breakfast menu. That will feature a waffle wrapped around a breakfast sausage with toppings like fresh fruit and maple syrup. He’ll also serve traditional breakfast sandwiches, coffee and energy drinks.

“I’ll target hardworking folks in the area around construction sites,” he said.

Let Me Be Frank is now his full-time job, so Buum plans to be out frequently for lunch and late nights on the weekend.

“Initially, you’ll see me a lot on 41st Street or Western Avenue. … Late nights, I’ll be directly across from Wileys on weekends,” he said.

He’s taking bookings for public and private events and wants to partner with businesses to set up in parking lots for lunch.

Find contact info and daily locations on Let Me Be Frank’s Facebook page.