MANCHESTER, Conn. — Friday marks the end of a Manchester lunchtime era that lasted nearly 40 years.
Bobby Turcotte and Bobby T.’s Hot Dog Cart is headed for retirement.
“I love it… I really love it,” Turcotte said Thursday of the decision. “We’ve been doing this for 38 years, and the time has finally come.”
Bobby T’s has always been known as the “Best Chili Dogs Ever” and has been at the corner of Main and Myrtle Streets for six years. Before that, Turcotte worked at other locations on Main Street and in a former vacant lot on Hilliard Street.
He’s been in the business since 1986 and is known for selling 200 dogs a day.
“A hot dog was $25 at the time, so I was already making money,” he joked. The jumbo one is currently $4.75.
Turcotte said he expects Friday to be a busy day (“everybody’s going to be here,” he said), but after that he plans to trade in his hot dog cart for a transportation vehicle.
“Not only do I want to spend time with my grandchildren, but I also want to travel around the United States,” he said. He cited Yellowstone, New Orleans, the Mississippi River and a trek across Route 66 as some possibilities.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’m ready.”
