4 minute read
HOT DOGS SO GOOD, IT’S CRIMINAL!
JAMES HATTON AND JEVON LONDON OF HOT DOG MAFIA
By Kathy Fox
PHOTOS BY KATHY FOX AND PROVIDED BY HOT DOG MAFIA
Most of us have fond memories of enjoying hot dogs during childhood. Whether it was at a baseball game, grilling out while tailgating, or at a family get-together, hot dogs are an all-American food favorite. With the combination of that soft bun and savory frank loaded with your favorite toppings, the association with these experiences contributes to the widespread enjoyment of the red hots.
James Hatton of Columbia, Tennessee, started his business, Hot Dog Mafia, because he LOVES hot dogs! “I started doing hot dogs because of course I like to eat hot dogs, and the name Hot Dog Mafia can be attributed to my love of crime-type movies. It just made sense to me to put the two together, and Hot Dog Mafia was open for business,” said Hatton.
Hatton originally had an investor when the endeavor began in 2019, however they parted ways shortly thereafter. Four years later, Hatton started up again in April 2023 selling hot dogs in the Lowes parking lot under a tent in Columbia where he continued to specialize in locally sourced gourmet hot dogs served on fresh lobster rolls baked daily at a Nashville bakery. Hatton stated, “The entertaining thing about this story is the hot dogs are named after crime bosses from around the world and are loaded with delicious toppings from the region where they lived. I started doing some research and applied my ideas to come up with the gangster names for each hot dog.”
The menu offers familiar mobster names from years gone by. Patrons will find hot dogs like The Capone, a Chicago-styled hot dog named for Al Capone, which is topped with mustard, onions, relish, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. The number one seller is the El Chapo, named after one of Mexico’s notorious kingpins, which is smothered with chili, nacho cheese, jalapeňos, Pico de gall, and sour cream.
Brother-in-law Jevon London serves as Hatton’s partner in crime after Hatton convinced him to join the business. London, who is from Guyana located in South America and now a proud American citizen, has a flair for cooking and came up with the Top Shottaz hot dog recipe. “My brother-in-law came up with a Caribbean-style hot dog and named it after a Jamaican crime film. The hot dog is covered with mango and pineapple salsa and topped with jerk sauce. It’s delicious,” said Hatton. And keeping things in the family, Hatton’s 9-year-old daughter, Sky Hatton, started Sky’s Cupcakes. Hatton sells these tasty desserts alongside the hot dogs at Centennial Hospital weekly. With flavors like Birthday Cake, Sundrop, Red Velvet, and Holy Cannoli it’s no wonder they sell out.
Since starting in the parking lot at Lowes, Hot Dog Mafia is now in partnership serving up their delicious gourmet links at Vanderbilt Hospital, MTSU, NASCAR, Trevecca Nazarene University, Lipscomb University, Fisk University, Centennial Hospital, and TriStar Skyline Medical. The duo has added an Italian beef and Philly cheese steak sandwich on select days and to sweeten things up this spring, milkshakes will be on the menu.
Not only do patrons love the food at Hot Dog Mafia, but they also love the hats and t-shirts merchandise. “The logo, a hot dog guy with the mustard and ketchup bottle pistols, has been really good for us too.” On another note, Hatton added, “In April my daughter Sky and I will be starting a podcast called Sky Stocks teaching on investments and selling stocks. It will be on YouTube and Instagram as well, so stay tuned.”
Keep your eyes peeled for the new Hot Dog Mafia food truck, no more tents. The Street Team will be out and about visiting Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, and Davidson counties beginning in April. Follow them on Facebook at HotDog Mafia and Instagram @hotdogmafia931 to find out where to grab one of their delicious bites. To order Sky’s Cupcakes, send them a DM.
