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Jason Ruhe, 31, of Seminole Heights runs a 5-year-old catering business, Inbloom Catering, with his wife. But you might know him from the grill he opened four years ago, selling hot dogs outside MacDinton's Irish Pub in South Tampa on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The funniest thing he's ever seen while manning the grill is, well, too gross for these pages.
So do you make more money catering, or selling hot dogs, sausages and burgers outside MacDinton's?
Pound for pound, a party vs. a weekend at the grill, then I'm going to make more at the party. But over the year, the grill does more.
How many hot dogs do you sell in a night?
I would say, on average, probably 70 to 80. I sell more hot dogs than anything, but the cheeseburgers, people really love them. They're famous.
What makes a good hot dog?
Getting grill marks on it and using nothing but mustard and maybe grilled onions.
Did you go to school to become a chef?
I went to school for hotel and restaurant management but never did the culinary part of it. I guess I'm kind of a chef from the school of hard knocks.
Do you eat a lot of hot dogs?
I'm really good about it. Probably maybe five a year. When I first started, I probably ate one every week. I still love them. If I'm at a fair, or in another town, and there's someone selling them, I'll definitely get one.
How many hot dogs do most guys order at a time?
Usually, guys order two.
So women just get one?
Sometimes they do. You'd be surprised. You'll have a skinny little 100-pound girl come up and order a cheeseburger and a hot dog just for herself.
What got you interested in starting your own business?
My parents started a drapery business in Tampa 40 or 50 years ago. Basically, my whole family worked for that business. I've always kind of owned a little business since I got out of high school, but my wife is my biggest business asset.
What is the most exciting party you've ever cooked for?
Michele Obama. I got pictures with her and everything. It's pretty cool.
What did she eat?
We had a luncheon, and she had ceviche.
Are you seeing people cut back because of the recession?
In March, I'm really busy with weddings because that's when the wedding season starts. But when I'm doing proposals with people, instead of going back and forth one or two times, we're going back four and five times until the price is right.
Is the hot dog business recession-proof?
I'm a little bit less popular now because of the economy. My sales are definitely down from what they used to be.
Is that because fewer people are coming out?
Well, that. And the grill, it's only cash, and a lot of people are using credit cards.
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