Hot dog wars return to the Morristown Green

It stands to reason: The mercury heats up, the hot dog wars start sizzling.

Josh and Yana Bartek are the latest challengers hoping to give Sophie the Hot Dog Lady a run for her money on the Morristown Green.

“We know her very well,” said Josh, 28. “There’s plenty (of business) for everybody. Competition’s good.”

For the last week, the newlyweds from Roxbury have parked their hot dog cart on North Park Place, across from the Century 21 department store. So far, they say, business has been sluggish in the searing heat.

Previously, Josh worked in the family businesses–the Mini Mac Diner in Chester and the Quick N Pick deli in Roxbury. He also runs a car detailing operation on the side.  Yana, 24, is a native of Ukraine who studied architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. They were married in April.

The couple fancied becoming sky diving instructors, but in this economy they figured hot dogs might be a safer bet. Josh said his family has had a vendor’s license in Morristown for more than a decade; now seemed like a good time to use it.

“You’ve got to do a little bit of this and that now, just to keep busy,” said Josh, who sells mini-meatball subs along with franks and soft drinks.

“We decided to do something together,” added Yana.

Diagonally across the Green, on the western side closest to the 40 Park luxury condos, Sophie Hsieh seems quietly confident.  She has outlasted other competitors since rolling into town 26 years and countless hot dogs ago.

A cheerful demeanor and attentive service, on scorching days and on frost-bitten days, have built customer loyalty for this Taiwanese immigrant, whose resume includes a restaurant venture in Argentina and an ice cream shop near the Green during the ’90s.

“I’ll just keep going,” Sophie predicted with a smile.