10/19/12 1:15 AMHot Dog Mike Juiliano creates The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog for charity | Eat Arkansas

Page 1 of 5http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archives/2012/05/11/hot-dog-mike-juiliano-creates-the-worlds-most-expensive-hot-dog-for-charity

LOG INLOG IN / CREATE ACCOUNTCREATE ACCOUNTArkansas Times

STREET FOOD

« Hot Dog Mike to make world's most e… | Chef competition in Hot Springs »

ArchivesArchives | RSSRSS

Hot Dog Mike Juiliano creates The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog for charityPosted by Kim Lane on Fri, May 11, 2012 at 3:14 PM

BRIAN CHILSON

Hot Dog Mike Juiliano, preparing The World's Most Expensive Hot Dog.

Hot Dog Mike Juiliano stood proudly at his cart on Friday, May 11 as he prepared to make the World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog. There was a roll-away tablein front of the cart, lined with a white table cloth, which was topped with five silver platters and a vase of roses. It was clear that a world record was about to bebroken.

Juiliano said he had the idea about a month ago to sell an expensive hot dog to raise money for homeless support nonprofit The One, Inc., also known as “TheVan.” He tweeted his idea about a month ago, and his followers instantly started bidding against each other on “theONEdog.” In an hour and a half, the pricewas up to $1,500. Juiliano said that he made it $1,501 because we are in Little Rock, and he is “clever like that.” Previously, Canada held the record for themost expensive hot dog, but he thought it was time to bring the title back to America, intending no offense to Canada.

Juiliano had to buy the supplies for the hot dogs. He knew some local bakeries used gold flakes in fancy wedding cakes, so he tried some and decided thatwould be a perfect topping for The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog. The dog – made with a quarter-pound of premium beef – was also topped with lobster tailand saffron aioli.Sharon Bennett Goodson, one of “The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog” buyers, chose to buy the hot dog because the money went to a good cause. She saidThe Van helps people meet their real needs. “I’m a little nervous,” she said, “I’m not a big lobster fan.”

10/19/12 1:15 AMHot Dog Mike Juiliano creates The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog for charity | Eat Arkansas

Page 2 of 5http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archives/2012/05/11/hot-dog-mike-juiliano-creates-the-worlds-most-expensive-hot-dog-for-charity

By noon, fans and media crews had crowded around Juiliano’s cart. Old bumper stickers such as “New Price,” and “How Much Is That Hot Dog In The Window,”made for a perfect backdrop as he readied the eagerly-awaited hot dogs.

Reaching into a Ziploc bag full of lobster meat, Juiliano said, “I’m not going to be stingy.” He then invited the cameras to the table with him and said “Ladies andgentlemen, a very expensive hot dog.” He presented the first hot dog to Goodson, noting that he would give her five complimentary napkins to go with herexpensive charitable meal. “It is very good,” Goodson said, “Is this gonna be a regular menu item?”

Bystanders questioned whether the condiment covering her face was mustard or gold. At the same time, Juiliano assured everyone that the gold was “Americangold.”

Four other ONEdogs were bought by anonymous donors and given to passersby, Mike’s colleagues and the owner of The Van, Aaron Reddin.

“It was good,” Reddin said. “I was skeptical. I’m not gonna lie.” Reddin said he was going to start saving up his money for another, but noted that it wouldprobably be about $2,000 next time.

After the hot dogs were delivered, Juiliano stood next to The Van and wrote the $6,000 check. “I thank Little Rock because you guys did it. I am just the hot dogguy and he is just the van guy,” he said, before going back to his cart and asking viewers if anyone was hungry for a hot dog.

The remaining hot dogs were sold for the usual $3-$5, as the remnants of the mustard-gold sat unused at the back of “Little Rock’s Coolest Hot Dog Cart.”

BRIAN CHILSON

Hot Dog Mike

10/19/12 1:15 AMHot Dog Mike Juiliano creates The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog for charity | Eat Arkansas

Page 3 of 5http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archives/2012/05/11/hot-dog-mike-juiliano-creates-the-worlds-most-expensive-hot-dog-for-charity

1 TweetTweet Share

BRIAN CHILSON

TheONEdog

BRIAN CHILSON

Sharon Bennett Goodson and Hot Dog Mike Juiliano

Tags: Hot Dog Mike, theONEdog, The One Inc.

Speaking of...

Like 189 Send

10/19/12 1:15 AMHot Dog Mike Juiliano creates The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog for charity | Eat Arkansas

Page 4 of 5http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archives/2012/05/11/hot-dog-mike-juiliano-creates-the-worlds-most-expensive-hot-dog-for-charity

More »

COMMENTS (1)

fullscreen test

Welcoming the fall at Hillcrest HarvestFestSeptember 24, 2012by Michael RobertsCheese dip, food trucks, and good times at HarvestFest /more/

Add a comment

Subscribe to this thread Share this comment on Facebook

Post Comment

Showing 1-1 of 1 add a comment

So. Freaking. AWESOME.

Posted by arfoodie on 05/11/2012 at 11:47 PM

3 likes, 1 dislike report like dislike

Subscribe to this thread: With RSS Showing 1-1 of 1By Email

10/19/12 1:15 AMHot Dog Mike Juiliano creates The World’s Most Expensive Hot Dog for charity | Eat Arkansas

Page 5 of 5http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archives/2012/05/11/hot-dog-mike-juiliano-creates-the-worlds-most-expensive-hot-dog-for-charity