In a lively on-air crossover that’s equal parts public service announcement and passionate rant, Big Mike (producer of The Ari Hoffman Show) and Zach Wildfang (producer of The Morning Ride) team up to warn Seattleites about the dangers lurking in those sketchy red carts outside T-Mobile Park.
With Mariners playoff fever gripping the city ahead of today’s big game against the Blue Jays, the duo dives into a timely crackdown on unpermitted food vendors, urging fans to think twice before grabbing that post-game “dog of the devil.”
Drawing from a recent KOMO News report, Zach – who’s made this his signature issue on The Morning Ride (weekdays 5-9 a.m. on 570 KVI) – breaks down the gross realities. Just hours before gametime, Public Health Seattle & King County shut down 11 unpermitted red carts operating near the stadiums between 4:30 and 6 p.m. for lacking valid permits, handwashing stations, and basic water supplies. Another three carts under the bridge next to T-Mobile Park got the boot for similar violations, including insufficient refrigeration – all on wheeled Harbor Freight tool carts rigged with butane camp stoves and makeshift griddles.
“These aren’t legit setups,” Zach explains. “Hot dog carts are generous – it’s raw meat, veggies, and who-knows-what marinating on a cookie sheet over a glorified Bic lighter. No traceable payments, no docs… and probably not just the cart that’s unpermitted.” Big Mike chimes in with his own tainted tale from a concert exit, admitting he’s fallen victim to the street meat and chili-pepper-topped traps.
The producers distinguish between suburban taco stands (pop-up tents in parking lots with some equipment) and these mobile menaces that plague events, arenas, and Pioneer Square. Harder to catch because they’re on wheels, they just roll a block away if shooed. But Zach celebrates the crackdown: “If you see no food safety rating card – those smiley-face ones from the county – or no water, walk away. Support taxed, inspected local businesses instead.
“It’s a buyer-beware wake-up call amid the excitement: Report suspicious setups to your county health department (like Tacoma-Pierce or Snohomish), especially if you get sick. As Zach puts it, “It’s expensive to live here – don’t make it worse by funding the shadows.”
Catch the full segment replay on The Ari Hoffman Show, where Big Mike filled in while Ari observes the Jewish holidays (back live tomorrow). Tune in to 570 KVI for more unfiltered takes – and Go M’s!
Listen to the full audio here:
