If you’ve ever wandered past a hot dog cart outside DeGroot’s Nurseries in the spring or grabbed a bite during the Petrolia Fall Fair, there’s a good chance you’ve met Trevor Pettit—better known as That Hot Dog Guy. He’s a familiar, friendly presence at community events across Sarnia-Lambton, serving up more than just hot dogs. Behind the apron is a story that stretches from construction sites to Costa Rica, from Queen’s Park to Quinn Drive. Trevor laughs “Ever since I was a kid, I loved hot dogs, and I used to be fascinated by the Dominion store back in the day where they had the hot wieners on the rollers.”
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Trevor’s work ethic took shape early. As a teenager, he spent his summers helping his father with contracting jobs—until a newspaper ad caught his eye. “It was for a vacuum cleaner sales job,” he recalls. “And I thought, why not?” It was his first taste of sales, and he never looked back. That knack for connecting with people eventually led him to become the Ontario Sales Manager for Levi Strauss Ladies Wear. When the company closed, Trevor transitioned into a role with Valley City Manufacturing, a company that specialized in architectural woodware.
But another calling soon came knocking.
In 1995, Trevor ran for office as a Progressive Conservative and won the seat for Hamilton Mountain, serving as a Member of Provincial Parliament until 1999. “Even when I was at Queen’s Park, I never lost that blue-collar part of me,” he says. “While some colleagues enjoyed fine dining, I preferred grabbing a hot dog from a street vendor and chatting with people during my lunch hour.”
It was during one of those lunchtime walks near Queen’s Park that a seed was planted. Trevor got to know a vendor who ran a hot dog cart nearby. “I remember telling myself, one day, I’m going to do that too.”
After politics, Trevor ran a successful consulting business, continuing to work with the provincial government for another decade. Then he hit pause on the grind altogether and decided to retire—with a twist.
“We moved to Costa Rica,” he says. “It was beautiful. But after two years, we missed Canada—especially the community feel.”
Trevor and his wife returned to Ontario and settled in Goderich. That’s when his childhood love of hot dogs—and that dream planted years earlier outside Queen’s Park—came full circle.
He launched That Hot Dog Guy, starting with a location outside the local Canadian Tire store. The reception was warm, and Trevor soon began appearing at special events in the area. From there, the business grew, taking him to places like the Foots Bay Marina on Lake Joseph, where he spent two summers feeding cottagers and boaters from May to September.
In 2021, his journey brought him to Sarnia. Home Depot invited him to serve at an Employee Appreciation Day and after a successful event they wanted him to be an on-site vendor but ran into a hurdle: their corporate policy didn’t allow on-site food vendors. Not one to give up easily, Trevor worked with the City of Sarnia to secure permission to set up nearby on Quinn Drive. From there, Sarnia became home turf.
Today, you’ll find That Hot Dog Guy at events like Canada Day in Camlachie, the Sarnia fireworks celebration, Beats on the Street, and at DeGroot’s Nurseries during the spring and fall seasons. While he no longer sets up daily, Trevor is busier than ever with festivals, corporate events, and community gatherings.
And he’s not just there for the sales—he’s there to give back. A portion of his proceeds regularly goes to local charities, including minor baseball programs and the Alzheimer’s Society. “I’ve always believed in supporting the community that supports you,” Trevor says.
From managing sales teams to managing mustard bottles, from making legislation to making lunch—Trevor’s journey is anything but ordinary. And through it all, one thing has stayed the same: his love of connecting with people.
“I get to do something I enjoy, meet great folks, and be part of the community,” he says. “That’s what it’s all about.”
So, the next time you see That Hot Dog Guy, remember—there’s more than a grill behind that cart. There’s a lifetime of stories, service, and a whole lot of heart. You can learn more about That Hot Dog Guy at https://www.facebook.com/BESTSTREETMEAT
"Humans of Sarnia" founder Art Connolly is a man fuelled by curiosity and a passion for connecting with people in Sarnia. Inspired by the renowned “Humans of New York” series, with a camera in hand, he captures the very essence of the individuals he encounters, preserving their stories through his lens. Follow his series on Instagram and Facebook.