Eckhoff puts a twist on hot dogs with her new food truck

Contributed photo
Angela Eckhoff started her own food truck this summer called Dang That’s Good. She serves everything from hot dogs to nachos and has been pleased with the response she has received already this year.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

There are few things more American than a classic hot dog drenched in ketchup and mustard. 

Angela Eckhoff is hoping to bring a creative new twist to the classic hot dog with her new food truck “Dang That’s Good.” The new food truck was unveiled earlier this summer and has quickly developed a cult following with its unique take on an American classic. 

“It’s just good simple food,” said Eckhoff. “I think when you are out and about you want something simple that you can carry in your hands.”

For example, Dang That’s Good features a chili dog, Reuben dog, dilly dog (dill pickle), a hot dog featuring potato salad, mac and cheese, coleslaw and a Mexican Street Dog, as well as a number of other unique hot dog creations. 

Eckhoff gets her hot dogs from the BBQ Smokehouse in Wadena, while her buns come from the Ottertail Bakery. She said her goal is to get her items locally to not only support businesses in the area, but to ensure her food is as fresh as possible.

A self described “foodie,” the rural Henning resident has been thinking about starting a food truck for a number of years. Last year she was able to work for a food truck and quickly fell in love with the food truck industry. 

“I have always thought about having a food truck,” said Eckhoff. “My friend and I used to talk about it. Last summer I had the opportunity to work with Sam in her Baby’s Bagels food trailer and fell in love with it. I love visiting with everyone at the window and I like making people happy with simply food.”

The idea of serving hot dogs came from past trips to Nashville where she would frequently purchase the American classic from street vendors in the area.

“I chose hot dogs because when we go to Nashville I love the hot dogs from street vendors. Hot dogs are classic and we thought it would be fun to load them with great toppings,” she said. 

The name speaks for itself as Eckhoff is hoping people enjoy their first bite, whether it be of one of her unique hot dogs, or another item on her menu and utter the catch phrase.

“That’s what I am hoping people say after they take a bite,” she said.

Though hot dogs is her specialty, Eckhoff said she is able to cook a wide variety of food for catering or community events. Anyone who would like to book Dang That’s Good for their own event can contact Eckhoff at (218) 640-3128.

Dang That’s Good will be at Thousand Lakes Brewing Company in Parks Prairie on Friday night, before coming to the Deer Trails Day festivities with an alternative menu on Saturday. Eckhoff will be at the 1910 Sip House on June 25, before coming to the Henning Festival on Saturday, July 8.