SMELTERVILLE — “Who doesn’t like a great bratwurst or a beef hot dog?” 

It’s a fair question, and one that U.S. Army veteran David Hanson hears just about every day. 

Hanson owns Dave’s Tater Grill, a hot dog stand that sets up in Smelterville every Friday and Saturday, rain or shine, year-round. 

Mobile food businesses are among the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., with more than 900% growth between 2000 and 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

For Hanson, owning a hot dog stand was always a dream. But instead, he chose the military. After serving just over four years in the Army, he left in 1990 and later joined the Army National Guard, serving from 1996 to 1999. 

In 2006, with help from his father and some friends, Hanson launched Dave’s Tater Grill in Boise. For 15 years, he parked on 6th Street between Main and Grove, until the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. 

“I started thinking that it would be a great part-time job for the weekends,” Hanson recalled. “I had just become single. After a couple years, it seemed as if this was my calling. If it weren't for COVID, I would probably still be in Boise.” 

During his time in Boise, Hanson built a loyal following. His signature Tater Dog was even featured in the Food Network’s “50 States of Hot Dogs” list. 

“Hot dogs and sausages were kind of easy for me because I enjoy food,” Hanson said. “I have grown up around potatoes in eastern Idaho, and there was a guy who did a chicken wrap with potatoes in Boise, and I thought, why not do a hot dog with potatoes? It seemed right, being in Idaho.” 

Hanson eventually relocated to North Idaho, bringing his popular hot dogs to the Silver Valley and introducing them to a new audience. Leaving a successful business behind to start fresh is daunting, but Hanson credits his military experience with helping him manage the transition. 

“The military taught me patience,” Hanson said. “It is never too late to do what you love. I started selling food on the street a week after I turned 40, and I am motivated by the many happy people who keep coming back.” 

Dave’s Tater Grill offers a variety of hot dogs, sausages, and brats with different toppings, plus a few non-hot-dog items. Hanson is best known for his Bacon Tater Dog and Chicken Bacon Tater Wrap. 

Despite starting over and rebuilding his customer base, Hanson hopes his stand becomes a staple in the community. 

“I hope to be a destination location in the Silver Valley,” Hanson said. “I am currently operating on Fridays and Saturdays. If those days fill up, I plan to open one or two more days. It is hard to have restaurant hours with ‘just a sausage.’” 

To be fair, those sausages are pretty good. 

Dave’s Tater Grill is open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. at 270 Main St. in Smelterville. For more information, visit his Facebook page.