The Review

Issue date: 5/20/08 Section: Mosaic

Media Credit: Steven Gold Bennie Dollard's cart is a Main Street staple.

Newark's best-kept secret can be found approximately halfway down Main Street, in front of the National 5&10 in a small, portable cart. Inside stands Bennie Dollard, grilling anything from a cheese steak to a kielbasa.

For the past four years, Dollard has occupied the sidewalk space, creating affordable, delicious breakfast and lunch options for Newark's community.

Dollard's menu is expansive, ranging from a simple hot dog to his own elaborate creations.

"The Hustler" is a basic Philly cheese steak with a twist - including two eggs and sautéed onions on top of the usual steak and cheese. Although he says it varies from day to day, "The Hustler" is probably the most frequently ordered menu item.

Aside from his innovative spins on classic sandwiches and renditions of old favorites, Dollard's food is affordable for those on a student's budget.

Dollard says he offers many specials that include a bag of chips and a can of soda for $5 or less.

While the prices and taste gain people's attention, it's his upbeat and outgoing attitude that keep them coming back for more. Dollard says his favorite part of the job is meeting people.

"I've been here for four years," Dollard says. "Everybody's like family now."

His love for his customers is evident when he greets regulars, without even needing to take their orders.

His passion for barbeque can also be tasted and purchased for $4 in the form of his own homemade sauce. "Bennie Dollard's Love Barbeque Sauce" has his motto, "Everything needs a little love," printed on the side of the bottle.

Although Dollard enjoys working in his cart, he says it's not nearly as easy as he thought it would be when he started. In the future, he hopes to create something a little better than campus dining, like a café for students on Main Street.

Whatever type of food he goes on to make, it's clear his relationship with his customers will still be most important.

"I'd like to thank my customers who I have called family for the last four years for coming," Dollard says.

While his cart may be Newark's best-kept secret, after talking with Dollard for just a few minutes, one thing's no secret - he puts love into everything he makes for his second family of customers.

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