Name: John Whartenby
Owner, Poison Pete’s hot dog stand outside the Everett Arena (The name honors a hot dog vendor that folks used to patronize in Whartenby’s neighborhood in New York City when he was growing up.)
Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What’s the most popular hot dog?
I would say just a plain hot dog. And customers load it up however they want to with the condiments.
What’s the most outrageous thing someone’s requested as a topping?
I don’t know of anything too outrageous. Everything’s just pretty standard, typical.
What’s the craziest topping you serve?
I guess its the hot relish, which isn’t too crazy. Nothing too off the wall here.
Where can you get the best hot dog, besides here?
In New York City. Any street vendor there.
How do you prefer your own hot dogs?
I boil them, I get them up to temperature and then I steam them. That’s the kind I serve.
How do you like the buns – toasted, grilled or steamed?
Steamed.
How many hot dogs could you eat in one serving? More than Joey Chestnut? (Chestnut at 69 hot dogs at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest earlier this month.)
No, no. I could probably do three.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
Probably sitting at home being bored.
What’s your hidden talent?
I’m a good cook.
Is that hidden, though?
No, it’s not. I’m good programmer too. (Whartenby used to work as a programmer at the Monitor.)
