TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In a city known more for its Cuban sandwiches than its hot dogs, one entrepreneur is rewriting the rules of the All-American Frank.
A new dog is in town, and his name is Arnia Fajardo.
This Cuban-born graphic designer-turned-hot dog mogul is shaking up Tampa’s food scene with unique “Build Your Own” hot dog carts.
Fajardo arrived in the States 18 years ago and quickly fell in love with one quintessential American dish: the hot dog.
“It’s something when you say America, you’re saying hot dogs,” Fajardo said. “So, it’s American means hot dogs all day long. It’s something Americans love.”
He is determined to give the people what they want— offering Angus beef and quarter-pound jumbo hot dogs served in a fresh bun from a very well-known bakery in town called “La Segunda.”
Two years ago, Fajardo and his family launched “Oh My Dog,” a hot dog cart and food truck business that has quickly grown to four carts and two tenets, serving up the most customizable dogs in town.
The secret? Arnie’s “Build Your Own” concept allows customers to choose from a whopping 12 different toppings to assemble their own masterpiece.
“Normally, when you go to any other stand, you always get restricted, because the hot dog guy is always the one to serve you the amount that you’re going to be getting… on our place, you serve your own,” Fajardo said.
But he isn’t stopping at hot dogs. In a partnership last year, he’s also brought a one-of-a-kind Hawaiian dessert to the sunshine state— a “J” shaped “honey cone.” These handmade, gluten-free, organized treats are filled to the brim with creamy ice cream, giving a sweet finale to any “Oh My Dog” experience.
“Basically, you can fill up with ice cream all the way through from the top to the bottom,” Fajardo added.
For more information, visit their Instagram.