Dave's Dogs

Going through 12 years of posts and stories has been a wonderful journey. There's another group of people we need to thank.

Dave is now mostly open on weekends, with some regular Friday lunch events and some private events, but for a while he was open regularly on Thursdays and we started doing "Thank You Thursdays" and offered discounts that day to military (active and veterans) as well as first responders (police, fire, etc.). Now that we aren't usually open on Thursdays, we now offer a discount every day.

Over the years, we have been so honored to get to know the service history of some of our customers, and at some point one of them gave Dave a patch, which he proudly mounted on the front of the trailer. And, it took on a life of its own. A bunch of Dave's customers have given patches over the years, which Dave proudly displays to honor our customers and all who have served (or are still serving) in the military or as first responders.

Thank you for your service!

I know Dave still misses the old blue truck. Karen doesn't miss her Smart car because it's still around!

The truck won't start; hope we make it.

This is Smoky, Nessie, and Devistator. Smoky and Nessie were the first two dogs we sponsored and Devistator was the first cat we sponsored back in early April 2015 (paying for their adoption fees thanks to your generous early donations to our "Not Tips" jar to help hard to adopt shelter animals at the Prince William County Animal Services Bureau find new homes).

We think of those three animals often. It felt so good to help them find new homes (and we know they did find new homes). All have crossed the rainbow bridge by now, we assume (we know Devistator did a few years ago), but they were such loved members of the families who adopted them.

If you adopted one of "our" sponsored shelter animals, please post a picture in the comments and tell us a little bit about them. I (Karen) remember each and every one of them and have often grieved along with their families when they have moved beyond the surly bonds of earth.

When Dave closes for the day, he spends an hour cleaning the trailer, including scrubbing the grill top. He may be the most meticulous food truck owner around about making sure all of his serving/cooking surfaces are kept clean. Food safety depends on it.

Not kidding that the picture on the right is the same grill top that Dave was checking out before he opened 12 years ago for the first time in the picture on the left. He took the picture on the right today. The only noticeable difference is the missing knob--and that's not actually missing. Dave doesn't use that side of the grill so that keeps him from accidentally turning it on.

So many great memories. Dave still has that scarf, Lori Statzer Bauckman-Moore.

Lori Statzer Bauckman-Moore brought me this awesome hand made scarf to help me heal from my sickness. Awesome awesome awesome

Our grill guys rule.

When Dave first opened back in 2014 (and for a while after), he worked alone in the trailer with occasional help from Karen (who still works most Saturdays).

But as Dave got busier, he decided to hire a "grillmaster." In 12 years, he's been lucky enough to really only have three. (He did a couple of "test" days with other people, but only three passed the test.)

Nico Sartori worked as Dave's first grillmaster for about two years until he headed off to Penn State to continue his education.

Josh Benedicto was grillmaster for over six years until he moved on to a full-time job.

Both Nico and Josh still show up occasionally (and we are always thrilled to see them).

Andrew McGrail is our current grillmaster (and occasional prize drawing helper); he works with Dave mainly on Sundays and for weekday events. Be sure to say hi next time you see him!

Our very, very good friend and local legend John Pratt is one of those people who have been coming to Dave's Dogs almost the entire time we've been open. Dave's a car/truck guy and he and Dave became fast friends the first time he met John and his beautifully restored old truck. This picture is from July 2014.

In the early days, being Dave's friend or nephew meant having to wear the hot dog suit to try to bring in new business. Those nephews Logan Deyo and Alex Gray are now truly grown men. Our friend Art Kopp was a really good sport about it.

It's 12 years to the day since Dave had his grand opening. He set up at the Exxon at the intersection of Minnieville and Smoketown and and he made about $40 that day. It was that much only in part because friends and family came by to support Dave in his new venture. It felt a little disheartening. But, what we didn't have enough faith on that day is how much this community would embrace Dave's Dogs. We learned quickly how amazing you are.

You kept showing up when we lost spots to set up as restaurants complained that we were taking business away (it wasn't Lowes' doing), or our "landlords" went out of business (like when the cleaners in Lake Ridge became a Starbucks). And, when COVID shut us down and Dave decided to try delivering family BBQ meals to make it through until we could open again--you made sure we sold out. There was so much that could have taken us out over the years--and you made sure that didn't happen. Even when things looked bleak, you always kept our (serving) door open and our spirits high.

Whenever we have tried to help the community in different ways--whether that's collecting toys for Toys for Tots, or selling cookies to support breast cancer research, or having specials on Dad Dogs to donate to our late father's favorite charities, or collecting supplies for the homeless in our area--you came out. You have always helped us when we have tried to do good things.

And, geez Louise (showing our age here), you made that "Not Tips" jar shelter initiative more than a concept. You made it a dream come true. In the 11 years since we started our partnership with the PWC animal shelter, you have helped almost 750 shelter animals find new homes by donating nearly $80,000 for adoption fees, spay/neuter, and other needed medical expenses (plus some special donations to other groups helping us help those animals).

These are only a few of a million reasons to thank you. We always say we have the BEST CUSTOMERS IN THE WORLD, but that's not quite right. You have become our friends and our "chosen family." We love each and every one of you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting Dave's Dogs stay in business and in your lives for 12 years. You are simply awesome.

Happy Sunday! Dave's open 11am-4pm at Tractor Supply (14700 Silverdale). Whether it's a hotdog, BBQ or chicken salad sandwich, brat, Italian sausage or half smoke, or chicken or shrimp basket, there's something for everyone!

Heads up about this coming weekend . . .

Dave will be closed Saturday for a private event (a local PWC school's end of year celebration).

He'll be open 11am-4pm Sunday at Tractor Supply (14700 Silverdale Drive).

Sharing and asking again. We've been lucky enough to find one of the staff at the assisted living place where mom lives who can walk Lola in the mornings Monday-Friday, but we still don't have anyone who can walk her in the evenings during the week OR on weekends (when we need a morning and evening walk). It's okay if those are different people--someone who could do M-F evenings (8-9 p.m.) and someone who can do it on the weekends.

We've had a couple of possibilities NOT work out, unfortunately, and time is getting VERY short.

Note that we're not in a position to pay what things like Rover or other professional services cost, so are hoping to get lucky enough to find someone in the area with flexibility who might be willing to do it for $10 a walk (trust me--that's at most about five minutes because Lola doesn't like to be away from mom and isn't a dawdler when doing her business).

Please message us if you might be able to help!

If anyone knows a very reasonably priced, trustworthy, and reliable dog walker in Stafford/Fredericksburg, we're in desperate need of one. Our mom is in an assisted living place near the Lowes on Route 17 (Warrenton Road--mailing address is Fredericksburg, but it's actually in Stafford County). The amazing dog walker she's had since last September for her little super sweet dog Lola is not going to be able to continue after May 29.

Mom, at 90, is too mobility challenged to handle it on her own. The assisted living place she is in is good but very expensive, so our budget for dog walking isn't big but we're doing everything we can to keep Lola with mom. Mom got Lola right before COVID hit, and Lola has been her constant companion ever since. We think having her keeps mom's spirits up as well.

We have to find someone new by May 29.

We're looking for two quick walks a day (one in the morning; one in the evening--as close to 12 hours apart as possible). Lola is a quick pee-er/pooper and then is eager to get back to her favorite person in the world (Mom). It's not really a walk--Lola is usually done with her business in less than two minutes.

Please send us a message if you know anyone!

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in the line of duty.

Dave's Dogs sometimes does special (open to the public) and private events. In the last nearly 12 years, we've been invited to be part of graduation parties (including our own second cousin's in Williamsburg!), wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, birthday parties, shelter adoption events, dog park events, music festivals, car shows, and many other events. We are always beyond honored when someone thinks of us and has us be a part of their special day or event--plus they can be so much fun! Enjoy these pictures of some of those memorable events. And, a link in the comments to a video where Dave got the anniversary celebration attendees on the "dance floor" for the country line dance of the day.

Happy Sunday! Dave's open 11am-4pm at Tractor Supply (14700 Silverdale Drive). While you're out today gathering supplies to build your ark (at least it feels like we have had about 40 straight days of rain), drop by Dave's Dogs and grab a meal or a snack.

Dave was hired to provide food to customers and employees for a local dealer's Memorial Day sales event today, so we are not open for regular business. Tomorrow (Sunday), we'll be open 11am-4pm at Tractor Supply (14700 Silverdale) Hope to see you tomorrow!

Happy Friday, peeps! Dave's open 11am-2pm today at the Arcadia Run apartment complex (11775 Boltonia Drive, Manassas). If that's near you, come on by for the best fast food in town, made hot and fresh for you when you order it!

This is Valentino, and he has been coming to Dave's Dogs since he was a little boy. Last weekend, he took a picture with Dave, and as you can see, he's now a very handsome young man. When he first started coming, his mom brought him along--and how he brings his mom along (or picks up something for her too). We are so proud that he still finds time to come by--and we may have to stop offering him a fruit snack. Or not.

We would love to see more pictures like this. If your little one has been coming for years (and isn't so little anymore), please share a picture in the comments.

A heads up about where Dave Dog's will be the next four days.

Friday, we'll be open 11am-2pm at Arcadia Run apartments (11775 Boltonia Drive in Manassas). Open to the public, so if that's in your neck of the woods, come on by!

Saturday and Monday, we're doing a special Memorial Day event for a local dealership. Not open for regular business.

Sunday is still up in the air, but we'll be open for regular business at one of our usual locations.

We'll post each day with more information!

You know, 12 years in business has felt like a minute sometimes, and then these two little ones (pictures are from 2015)--Owen and Ruby--came by last weekend and RUBY DROVE to Dave's. Where does the time go?

Owen even has a hot dog named for him. Ketchup and nacho cheese. If that's how you like your dogs, just ask for an Owen. (Or a Dax for another young man who likes it the same way.)

Thanks also to Owen and Ruby's parents--we got their permission to share these photos and their support throughout the years has been amazing. GO BEARS. GO PACKERS. (IYKYK.)

(Note the menu board from back then. We had just "invented" the Frito Bandito. It's still $3.50 almost 11 years later.)

Did you know that we're about two weeks away from the 12th anniversary of Dave's Dogs' grand opening? Over the next two weeks, we'll be sharing some "then and now" pictures and memories of back then--when Dave had brown hair and we worried every single day whether this dream of his could keep going. Thanks to you it did.

In the last 12 years, we've seen some of our youngest customers become grown up, and we've lost some of our favorite older customers and supporters, including our dad.

This will be a sentimental couple of weeks for us--Karen will making the posts and we know how easy it is for memories to make her cry--but we hope you enjoy the journey.

This is Dave back in May 2014--working on the trailer as he prepared for his grand opening on June 2, 2014.

Hey, peeps. There's a lot going on right now with our schedule--some special end of school events, some upcoming construction at one of our regular locations, etc., so we're posting this again to make sure we're doing everything we can to make sure you know where we are, particularly Friday-Sunday.

A reminder that we have an online public calendar (through Google calendar). You can check it any time you want to see if we're open (and where). We have several events coming up. Some are open to all; private events are marked as private.

[email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=[email protected]

We will, of course, continue to post each day we are open on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as through our location alert system. Use your phone's camera to view this QR code to sign up for location texts. No spam--we only send you a text on the days we are open (or if we are closed on a weekend day for a private event).

For those with an iPhone, we have an app available in the Apple app store. Look for Dave's Dogs and our logo to find it. It has our upcoming locations as well as our rewards program. (Android option is still in development.)

Happy Sunday! Dave's open 11am-4pm at Tractor Supply (14700 Silverdale). Whether it's a hotdog (or a veggie dog), BBQ or chicken salad sandwich, brat, Italian sausage or half smoke, or chicken or shrimp basket, there's truly something for everyone!

Happy Saturday! Dave's open 11am-4pm at 13478 Minnieville. Dave has a huge menu of deliciousness (and everything's made just for you when you order it). Today's special: It's Sausage Saturday! Order an Italian sausage or half smoke with your choice of a dozen toppings and get a free drink!

A heads up about our schedule this weekend . . .

Saturday, Dave's open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 13478 Minnieville Road.

Sunday, Dave's open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Tractor Supply (14700 Silverdale Drive).

We hope to see you Saturday or Sunday (or both)!