Customers of Shemondy Haile, a hot dog vendor on 18th and I streets, often try to order what he's having for lunch: light, spongy injera bread wrapped around sauteed green vegetables or spicy beef stew — food from his native Eritrea, cooked by his wife.
Haile, who has sold hot dogs on this block for more than 20 years, experimented with changing his on-the-go fare last year. But eventually, he returned to the familiar hot dogs after he was told that he needed to meet additional regulations.
"I tried for one month, and it was selling good," he said wistfully of the food he sold for four times as much as a $1.50 dog, effectively doubling his income. "People come from far corners for that food."
For three years, the city has been urging District vendors to offer more complex fare. It has changed regulations making it easier for them to branch out. It has taken hot dog distributors to see the variety offered elsewhere. And it has run a series of informational meetings in six languages called "You Don't Have to Sell Hot Dogs."
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