New top dog: Owner of beloved hot dog stand hands business to son

Since it first opened three years ago, Gullett's Hotdogs and Catering has become a fixture for Elyrians looking for a quick, tasty and affordable meal, but the beloved hot dog cart is undergoing a change in ownership. Known for his distinctive, comic book-themed hot dogs and cart decorated with pictures of Superman, James "Mike" Gullett has become a recognizable character in downtown Elyria, and one who was always willing to help those in need of a break. But now, facing mounting health problems, Mike Gullett is ready to step aside and allow his son, James Gullett, to take up the tongs. When a Chronicle reporter approached Gullett's Hotdogs and Catering outside Rural King on Oberlin Elyria Road on Friday, James Gullett was already on the phone talking to his dad, and he put the phone on speaker for a joint interview. Mike Gullett started the business three years ago, wanting a business he could run as he pleased because he had long struggled with getting sick and, therefore, holding regular work. In the past year though, his health has been growing worse. He is diabetic and now requires dialysis every day. James Gullett began helping his dad run the stand last summer, and he said quickly fell in love with working in food service and catering. As his dad's health worsened, James quit his job as a plumber to focus on running the stand. "I told him, 'Let me just help you,' and things have been going ever since," James Gullett said. "I like this (more), definitely, I'm outside and I'm not getting dirty all the time." With the son learning the ropes quickly and enjoying the work, Mike decided it was best to let him take the reins. "I'm not in the best of health and I've got to work on myself right now," Mike Gullet said. "So I'm just passing it on to (James), letting him do something with it, and seeing where it goes. I'm sure he is going to keep the same motto of prices staying down, great customer service and quality food." James Gullett said he enjoyed working with his dad, but definitely felt he was ready to take over when the time came and keep the quality and service his dad would expect. "It feels good, especially working with him," James said. "Him teaching me everything about the cart and things like that, but also just about life, teaching me everything." Gullet's serves Superman-themed hot dogs for $3 with toppings including slaw, chili, sauerkraut and crushed chips along with all the typical toppings such as ketchup, onions, relish and various mustards. Special sausages are also available for $5 or $6 and sides and drinks cost $1 each. "We believe our prices are budget-friendly, as opposed to some of the food trucks around which are more expensive," Mike said. "People tend to like that about us." Mike Gullett said that helping people always takes precedence over profits for both him and his son. "Everyone should be able to eat," Mike Gullett said. "When I first started, if you came to my cart and you didn't have any money, guess what, you're getting a hot dog. We feel like everybody deserves to eat, no matter what. I didn't have my credit card reader at the beginning of the summer. You know what, if you don't have the cash come and pay me later. Have a little faith in humanity, and believe it or not, everyone came back and paid me." Along with the elder Gullett's decreasing presence, the cart underwent another change this year as it started to stray from its old home of Ely Square in search of new customers. "Unfortunately, lately the square has not been the best for us," Mike Gullett said. "The traffic just has not been as good for us down there, so we are going to see what we can do about finding something else for next year." This year, the Gulletts have started to split time between Ely Square and Rural King, where Mike said the steady flow of customers has helped make up the difference. For updates on where the stand is operating on a given day, residents can check either of Elyria's two main Facebook community pages, Elyria's Front Porch and Connect Elyria, where Mike Gullett posts daily. The pair are also working on a website for the stand's location and menu. The goal has always been to travel to more fairs and public events, but the current stand doesn't quite have the capacity to serve huge crowds. To build up to that level, the Gullets have been catering smaller events and private parties when they can. "We definitely want to grow and hopefully do bigger events eventually though, hopefully we can do the Apple Fest some day," Despite the changes, customers can expect the same food, prices and service as well as the steady hand of Mike Gullett continuing to guide the cart behind the scenes. James Gullett said he still calls his dad every day to pitch ideas and ask questions. "But sometimes the knucklehead doesn't want to listen," Mike Gullett said through the phone. "Sometimes he doesn't want to listen and he gets me aggravated, but he's doing a great job." He said he would be returning from Florida to check in on his son and business, and help out where he can. "It feels great because it means (the stand) is going to keep going on, it's just getting more and more publicity and customers coming to him," Mike Gullett said. "It is an awesome feeling that I can give him something. It's not much, but it's something." Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.