Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Church Daily Appetizers serve up massive Chicago-style hot dogs

MUSKEGON, MI – Church Daily Appetizers started as a small idea in a Muskegon home before becoming the mobile cart it is today.

Dennis Churchwell Jr., the founder of the small business, can be seen stationed at the corner of Merrill Avenue and 3rd Street in Muskegon, next to Muskegon Family Foods.

Churchwell said he always dreamt of owning his own business to showcase his culinary talents as a private chef. Now, he can do that by stationing his cart on the busy corners of Muskegon’s bustling streets or at businesses and other venues.

“I’ve been cooking for 15 years in and out of restaurants,” he said. “And I just thought, hey, why not me. I can get out and make money instead of working for somebody else.”

In 2019, Churchwell opened Church Daily Appetizers just as the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Growing up, Churchwell’s mom worked in various restaurants throughout the Muskegon area. Being around that environment inspired him to hold a manager position for Dickey’s Barbecue Pit.

Churchwell, 30, said he slowly realized his passion for cooking went past working in restaurant chains and that he wanted to stand out by purchasing a mobile cart instead of a food truck.

He said that having a mobile cart instead of a food truck is less expensive but still has a “big effect.”

Each day, he has different specials on the menu, like the new walking tacos inside a Fritos chip bag with chili, cheese and onions.

One of the top sellers on the menu is the Chicago hot dog ($4) made with an all-beef hot dog topped with a dill pickle spear, pickled sport peppers, relish, chopped white onions, tomato, and yellow mustard.

For a dessert fix, Churchwell also sells tasty, deep-fried Oreos (five for $5) with hot fudge sauce to dip into on the side.

Other top sellers on the menu are the Seattle hot dog ($4) made with Philadelphia Cream Cheese and sautéed onions atop a polish hot dog; and his famous loaded fries ($7) with nacho cheese, shredded cheese, chives, jalapeño peppers, bacon, and ranch.

For catering events, he said that he likes to switch up the menu to accommodate different events like birthday parties and pop-up shops.

Some of the classic offerings on the menu beside those Chicago-style hot dogs, include polish hot dogs, street corn, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, buffalo wing platters, Baja shrimp tacos, loaded fries, nachos, and walking tacos.

On Friday, Churchwell posted posted on Facebook that he was serving lunch at Almond Products, urging people in the area to come over.

Customers can catch Church Daily Appetizers outside the Muskegon Post Office on Monday, June. 13, at 1st Street and Western Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m; and Tuesday, June. 14, at Third Street and Merrill Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To stay updated on Church Appetizers’ location and catering events, head to his Facebook page or Instagram at church_daily_appetizers. To book a catered event, call (616) 594-0218.

For video content and an inside look into new dishes, head to his YouTube page.

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