Specialty hot dogs on the menu at El Jefe’s

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Amador Hernandez adds jalapeños as he serves up a Jefe Dog, one of the specialties at his new El Jefe’s Dogs food stand, located in the Lowe’s parking lot. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, the stand serves other hot dog specials, chips and beverages. At right, Karmelo Hernandez, 12, helps his dad run the stand.

A new set of dogs is on the menu at El Jefe’s Dogs, a food stand now open in the Lowe’s parking lot, 1250 S.W. Booth Bend Road, McMinnville.

Amador Hernandez and his wife, Nikole Lefkowitz, are serving specialty hot dogs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday — unless the couple is away at an event, he said; closures will be posted on the El Jefe’s Dogs Facebook page.

Hernandez said they were inspired by his in-laws in Colorado, who have a food truck. “They showed us the ropes,” he said.

They decided on a menu of hot dogs because McMinnville hasn’t had a place that specialized in the food item for a few years, said Hernandez, who has lived here for eight years.

They named the food truck “El Jefe” because Hernandez earned the nickname “the boss” at his previous job supervising a crew of 100 for a janitorial company.

“I’m so blessed with all the people supporting me,” he said. “I wanted to be here, not just as a business, but for the community.”

Response during his soft opening last week was very positive, he said, especially for his signature Jefe Dog, a bacon-wrapped sausage with mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup and a topping of hot Cheetos crumbles. Some customers say it reminds them of the popular Mexican street corn dish called elote, he said.

Other menu specialties include the Seattle Dog, with grilled onions, jalapeños, sauerkraut and cream cheese; and the Chicago Dog on a poppy seed bun with mustard, sport peppers, pickles, onions and green relish. He hopes to add a Sonoran Dog with beans soon.

All are made with high-quality dogs or 1/3-pound Polish sausages, he said. All are customizable.

El Jefe’s also offers spicy links, jalapeño cheddar dog poppers and a plain Junior Jefe Dog for kids. Chips and beverages are on the menu, as well.

El Jefe’s held its grand opening celebration on Saturday with games and prizes, as well as food.