Travelers passing by 16th and Emerson on nice days may wonder why there is a line waiting at a hot dog cart in the Family Dollar parking lot. It’s because Abacuc Garcia, owner and operator of Garcia’s Hot Dogs, probably has the best hot dogs in Indianapolis, and he’s one of the nicest human beings you’d ever want to meet.
Mr. Garcia has been selling his bacon-wrapped hot dogs on the busy corner for four years. He’s out there on most sunny days, grilling hot dogs and shaking hands with every customer. “I’m not here if it is raining or snowing or windy. That gets to be too hard,” he said. He was a hot dog vendor in California for 26 years before moving to Indianapolis.
He saw an opportunity on the busy corner, took a chance, and set up shop. Now, up to a hundred people a day come by to buy a hot dog (or ten) from him. He’s a one-man-band, grilling, talking, and greeting everyone like they are old friends. It isn’t unusual to see a cop or EMT standing in line next to a construction worker and a nicely-dressed couple, and a family waiting patiently for their dogs. And everyone comes back. Again and again and again. He has a five-star listing on Yelp! (one of the few hot dog stands with a review at all) for cryin’ out loud!
Neighbors on the east side look out for Mr. Garcia, who has become a fixture on the corner. When he was robbed last year, his many fans got on social media to drum up support for him to compensate for his losses.
With a wife, three grown children and a two-year-old, Mr. Garcia works hard to support his family. With many choices of fresh toppings and combinations — chili, chili cheese, Chicago, Dorito dogs, mango dogs (!) to name just a few— at about $4 a dog, Garcia’s is probably the best deal in town. He’s very generous with toppings, asking you if you want more. He also has brats and Italian sausage, drinks and chips.
Keep your eye peeled for the red and white umbrella cart and stop by to smell the hot dogs. And maybe buy a few.
