Easy Weenies Isn't Just a Clever Name

As a regular customer at the plentiful southside Bethlehem bars, I constantly am witnessing friends of mine and fellow bar-hoppers heading over to the hot dog cart on 4th Street. Finally, after much deliberation, I headed to the long-lined cart myself and ordered a chicken-kabob.


The $6 kabob was lined with grilled, hot chicken breast and an array of crisp, grilled veggies. Not only was my food fantastic, the overall scene of this simple cart was crazy. I never thought that a hot dog cart would have such a following.

Heading back to interview the hot dog man himself a few days later, Michael Hernandez explained to me the relationships he's built with customers, his competition and his loyalty to Sabrett dogs.
The cart itself has been in its' original spot, across from Homebase Skateshop on 4th Street, for over two years. Originating in Easton, Easy Weenies is now a staple in South Bethlehem.


Hernandez, the sole hot dog man of the southside cart, says he and his fellow Easy Weenie-ins, brother Chris Morales, are looking to expand throughout the Lehigh Valley.


Although the cart is one-of-a-kind in Bethlehem, Easy Weenies has competition on Lehigh University's campus. A hot dog cart, just dogs, sells boiled hot dogs. Hernandez has also heard of the possibility of a food truck coming soon to the campus. When asked if he was hesitant about his competition, Hernandez simply brushed it aside, knowing Easy Weenies is the top cart in town.


"We have a steady tine of customers, so we'll always do well," he said.

The menu for the cart is extremely lengthy compared to your classic hot dog cart. Complete with vegetarian options, cheese steaks and filet steak kabobs; this cart isn't just a pitstop after a night of drinking. Hernandez gets call-in orders throughout the day, people walking by the cart for lunch, even drive-by orders as people are headed around the block waiting for their Weenie order.


The young business owners are extremely loyal to their customers, heading up to New York City to purchase Sabrett hot dogs monthly.


"We only use Sabretts, it's the only hot dog we'll ever sell," said Hernandez.


Hernandez's suggestion? The Monster- 1/2 pound of hamburger and 1/2 of cheesesteak in a bun or a wrap. The menu just added fajita and cheesesteak wraps, too.


"Now you can pretty much get anything in wrap," he says.


Along with great food and great passer-by's, Hernandez has music playing from an iHome dock.


"Music draws people in, they hear music and they always stop by to see what's going on," Hernandez said.


Although originally causing some controversy, Easy Weenies is constanty getting great reviews. Check out Yelp's take on Easy Weenies! yelp.com/biz/easy-weenies-bethlehem


Follow this fantastic eastery on Twitter at @Easyweenies and head over to their Facebook page. facebook.com/EasyWeenies