For well-placed hot dog truck, good business despite weather

Kathleen Hamilton has seen brisk business come to her U-DOG hot dog truck in bad weather before.

So even before anyone knew Hurricane Earl would lose much of its punch as it approached Long Island, Hamilton, whose truck is stationed across the road from Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton on William Floyd Parkway, decided to brave the expected high winds and heavy rain and open up Friday morning.

It was a good thing, too, for James Peterkin and about 20 mourners who had just left the funeral of his grandfather, 86-year-old Army veteran John Colman, at Calverton National Cemetery and stopped at the truck at around 2 p.m.

“We saw the truck and there wasn’t anywhere else to stop,” said Peterkin, of Staten Island, who ordered a hot dog with everything for himself and lots of hot dogs and sodas for the others.

“I’ve been in heavy-duty storms, but people still come,” she said with a smile. “People think it is daring to come out.” It also helps that there are few few foods options for a good stretch along William Floyd Parkway in that area.

Plus, it turns out there were only light showers at the time, making it an easy decision for Peterkin and crew.