I remember the moment my man sat me down ten years ago and told me he was giving up his property goals (he had a brilliant real estate idea but the market wasn’t ready) and setting up a hot dog cart. Of all the dreams I’d had for our future together, hot dogs had never come up. Indeed, I was a little thrown. However as Abiye spoke about his plans and I felt the electric charge he emits whenever his ‘visionary mode’ kicks in, I got excited too.
Still, I had no idea what lay ahead or how this man would turn a humble hot dog cart into a thriving enterprise that now ships WORLDWIDE BABY (bada boom)!
Within months of launching his first cart just yards from Shoreditch Fire Station on Old Street, Big Apple Hot Dogs was the talk of the town. Abiye came into the industry when street food was about to explode across the capital and before long, BAHD sausages began to develop a cult following. Seriously, I had to beat off groupies with a breadstick.
Big Apple Hot Dogs: The Journey
Some Big Apple Hot Dogs highlights over the years include appearing on a magazine cover, winning a British Street Food Award, featuring in a movie, feeding Tom Cruise, lecturing at a Guardian Masterclass, appearing on Heston Blumenthal’s menu, being followed by David Hasselhoff on Twitter (#winning), even an invitation to visit the PM’s headquarters.
But the true story of Big Apple Hot Dogs isn’t just about press mentions or knocking on 10 Downing Street. It’s a story of hard work, hustle and heart. It’s about the struggles faced by a Black/mixed heritage solopreneur trying to put his stamp on the world. It’s about much more than that, but it’s not my story to tell.
One day, Abiye will write that book or make that documentary or dictate it to his minions as he sits on his throne as the Hot Dog King of England. That’s his title, not mine (I prefer to call him my silly sausage) but I accept it because from my experience, he can do anything he sets his mind on.
Big Apple Hot Dogs Shop #BASHD
Ever since COVID struck, BAHD’s wholesale customer base (his ‘bread and butter’) disappeared overnight, so he quickly set up his online shop to ship sausage love to the people.
Abiye has huge plans for the company going forwards — stuff that will revolutionise street food and create untold benefits for people who’ve been marginalised for too long. Stuff that makes me, frank-ly (ahem), burst with pride.
Anyway, enough about my baby daddy. Let’s get to the meat of the matter. Feast your eyes on these BAHD boys and tell me you’re not drooling.
What has always made Big Apple Hot Dogs so special is that this isn’t some throwaway snack for 3am munchies. The sausages have always been made in the UK with all-natural ingredients, using the highest quality meat and authentic flavourings. Each sausage has its own personality and its unique flavour of OMG yummy. The babes love the Skinny BAHD Brat and the British Bulldog Royale. I’m partial to a Big Dog, a Spicy Hot Link Royale or a Huge Pole (fnar fnar). Actually, I love everything on the menu.
Father’s Day Sausage Feast
The best thing about BAHD sausages is that they’re so easy to cook at home. Just whack them in a frying pan, pop them in the oven or (best) on a grill or BBQ rack. You can even cook them in the microwave for about 1 minute wrapped in a slice of kitchen roll. It’s so simple even the kids can sort themselves out for lunch.
Other ideas: they are absolutely delicious in a sausage, potatoes and veg traybake, chopped up for a Spanish omelette, or in a sausage casserole with hunks of French bread.
Just in time for Father’s Day, Abiye has come up with these brilliant stickers you can use to personalise a pack of sausages. These are fantastic for anybody who wants to customise sausages for Father’s Day or any other type of celebration e.g. a children’s birthday party, a gift for your isolating grandparents or a Fourth of July party. Simply let him know what wording you want on the stickers when you make your order.
Special Offer: Babes about Town #BAHD Discount
Big Apple Hot Dogs is offering Babes about Town readers an exclusive 11% discount for all orders of sausages over the next 28 days using my code: Babes11. NB: You have to create an account in the shop in order to use the discount code, then enter the code in a box on the shopping cart page.
Big Apple Hot Dogs now ships worldwide via UPS. Overseas customers might not get them in time for Father’s Day but you could order for an Independence Day Feast or just to stock up your freezer with a quick-cook, satisfying dinner option! Visit https://shop.bigapplehotdogs.com/gifts
*Disclosure: In case it’s not apparent from this post, Abiye/Big Apple Hot Dogs is my partner aka my wurst half.
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Aw love this so much, so proud of you both, a power couple, beautiful inside and out. I’ve ordered Papa G a Father’s Day parcel. I’ve started eating meat again too so will be ordering again as I need to try them. If they’re good enough for Tom Cruise ;)! Seriousl you guys are amazing, love you x
My mouth is watering! What an amazing journey. You must be so proud xxx Definitely the Hot Dog King of England ;-)
I cannot believe I still haven’t tried these – but going to right that wrong by ordering them. They all sound so delicious. Abiye’s story sounds fascinating – lets hope he writes that book or better yet you write it for him. You are both awesome xxx
They are yummy Nomita and I’m not just saying that. Every time I write about them, I salivate. Yes that book/movie must happen :-) Thanks so much x
Haha yes I know what you mean, they make me hungry just thinking about them. Wait until you try some! He will be very happy to hear you hail him as king :-)
Thanks so much Vicki, so thrilled that the famous Papa G will get to try some of the Big Apple Hot Dogs. You definitely need some too and your boys will love them xoxo