Hot dog wars in Dewey

Hot dog wars in Dewey

But unlike businesses in Rehoboth Beach, which still draws big crowds in the spring and fall, those in Dewey have a smaller window of time to make their money.

"Those businesses have only about 12 to 16 weeks to make it, and they are both servicing the ... same market and the same limited season in Dewey," Everhart says.

Goldfarb, who works in financial sales, decided to open the hot dog business to try something new. "I was driving through Dewey and I just had this idea all of a sudden: Dewey Dogs," says Goldfarb, of Lewes.

He knew that Deerhead had opened nearby the summer before. "It didn't matter," he says with a smile.

The northern New Jersey native was confident that his idea of serving only all-beef Sabrett hot dogs -- the New York dogs served from Manhattan's ubiquitous hot dog carts -- would bring customers back again and again.

At Dewey Dogs, the Sabrett hot dog ($3) is boiled and served on a short hoagie-type roll. "You're not supposed to grill a Sabrett hot dog," he says. "I think you go to hell for that."

Goldfarb avoids the New York slang "dirty dogs," a name given to Sabrett dogs that are plucked out of hot water from the street carts. "I liked Dewey Dogs better," he says.

In addition to his hot dogs, which come with your choice of sauerkraut and chili, onion and cheese sauces, Goldfarb has expanded his menu to include Italian ice, Polish kielbasa, pulled pork sandwiches and Italian sausage with peppers and onions.