Manchester Lunchtime Legend 'Bobby T' Keen On Retirement

MANCHESTER, CT — The end of a lunchtime era in Manchester that has spanned nearly four decades is coming to an end Friday.

Bobby Turcotte and the Bobby T's hot dog cart are heading into retirement.

"I'm liking it ... I'm really liking it," Turcotte said Thursday about the decision. "I've done this for 38 years and it's time."

Bobby T's was always known for it's "Best Ever Chili Dog" and has sat at the corner of Main Street and Myrtle Street for six years. Prior to that, Turcotte was working at other spots on Main Street and on a former empty lot on Hilliard Street.

He has been at it since 1986 and has been known to sell 200 dogs in a single day.

"Hot dogs were a dollar twenty-five back then and I was making a profit," he quipped. The jumbo ones are $4.75 now.

Turcotte says he expects a busy day ("everyone will be coming," he said) Friday, but, after that, he plans on trading in his hot dog cart for a traveling vehicle.

"I want to spend time with my grand baby, but also travel around the U.S.," he said. He named Yellowstone, New Orleans, the Mississippi River and a trek across Route 66 as a few possibilities.

"It's a good feeling," he said. "And I'm ready."