When the Sabrett hot dog cart operated by Alex DeJesus on Avenue E and 34th Street was damaged by a fire on Thanksgiving Day, Bayonne residents quickly mobilized.
DeJesus’s neighbor, John Milan Sebik, set up a GoFundMe page to raise $3,000 to re-open DeJesus’s cart.
“He is a great guy, a hard worker and one that really has helped our community. He has donated his time and efforts to help out many events with schools and small businesses,” wrote Sebik on the fundraising page. “Let’s pay it forward and show the Love and Comradery.”
Readers can donate at the following web address: https://www.gofundme.com/help-sabrett-on-ave-e-open-again.
The fire that damaged the cart was set by a man who was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center Behavioral Health Center, according to police and a representative from Carepoint.
The 29-year-old allegedly lit a nearby trashcan on fire at around 3:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving, ruiningone of DeJesus’s hot dog carts and lightly damaging another. “The cart is completely damaged; no insurance to claim, my loss,” said DeJesus.
The Bayonne Fire Department reported finding a small trash fire in front of DeJesus’s home and determined the fire was intentionally set. According to Captain Janine Foy of the Bayonne Police Department, the police and McCabe Ambulance personnel determined the man was “experiencing a medical event” and was transported first to Bayonne Medical Center, and then to Jersey City Medical Center.
“It seems this wonderful community has given me the spirit to bounce back stronger.” – Alex DeJesus
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A good neighbor
According to Zachary Omar, a neighbor on Avenue E, a motorist whom he called a “good Samaritan” passing by pulled over when he saw the fire and knocked on DeJesus’s door to alert him.
“It’s sad it’s on Thanksgiving while he was with his family eating dinner,” said Omar. “Thank God he’s alright, we’re alright. It could be worse, it could be the house.”
DeJesus invested in a winterized hot dog cart months ago, with an enclosed space for him to stand in through the colder months. He said the fire caused some exterior damage to a smaller cart as well, enough for a re-inspection at the Health and Safety Department.
The winterized unit was ready for its inaugural season starting December 1, which is now going to be pushed back.
DeJesus is working on getting his summer cart ready in time for warm weather. The winterized cart should be up and running shortly. “I’m very optimistic to be out [in operation] sooner than later,” said DeJesus. “It seems this wonderful community has given me the spirit to bounce back stronger…I’m committed to pay it forward.”
DeJesus is known in the food community for his classic Sabrett hot dogs, his wife’s chili topping, and his $5 special—three dogs, two toppings wrapped in aluminum foil with a drink.
Rory Pasquariello may be reached at roryp@hudsonreporter.com.