by Keianna Rae Harrison

People make the world go ‘round… we all know that’s true. And it’s no different here in our own city. Indy’s got some super, superstars whose accolades and accomplishments earn them celebrity status in the limelight on a regular basis. Kudos for the great work!

This blog is dedicated to showcasing Indy’s “hidden” talented people, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make Indy a better place for you and me.  One of the first Hubbers to be profiled is our very own Brent Joseph.  

Brent Joseph, 34, believes bigger weenies are better… Hot dogs, that is.

Owner of King David Dogs, Joseph has taken this childhood favorite meal to a whole new level. The family-owned, hot dog superstore, features man-sized, ¼ lb pieces of meat (we’re STILL talking hotdogs… stay with me) with a gourmet flair and TATER TOTS! Yes, tater tots – takes me back to elementary school.

Joseph said the most popular dogs are the Chicago-style in the summer and Chilidogs in the winter, but people can order their fancy. “This isn’t your average hotdog. We want people to get full,” said Joseph. “We offer a premium product where customers can order the all-beef, skinless dog loaded with any of 32 toppings from fried egg to baked beans.”

And apparently someone did… Joseph said the strangest topping combo goes to a regular customer who orders a dog with “everything.” All 32 everythings… Wow! I kept it girlie with a pretzel dog – a pretzel-style bun with traditional fixin’s. It took me two meals to finish it.

Running the hot dog business is in Brent Joseph’s genes. The self-described carnivore and North Central High School grad calls Indy home; but the legacy of King David Dogs reaches back to Germany shortly before Joseph’s grandfather and great-uncle escaped the Holocaust.

Started as Hene Meat Company in the 1940’s, the brothers specialized in steaks, chops and ground beef. They later created the King David brand and began to package and sell their meats to grocery stores and commercial butcher shops. Their most popular products were hot dogs and sausages.

“I always wondered what it would be like to get into the family business,” said Joseph. “After my grandfather passed in the early 80’s, we found the secret meat recipe scribbled in German on a notepad in my grandmother’s attic.” Joseph opened King David Dogs, located at 15 N. Pennsylvania in November 2006.  

Business is rolling for King David Dogs. The downtown store is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and if you’re headed out of town, be sure to grab one at the new airport in Concourse B.

Locals can check them out at the Gay Pride Festival, or in Broadripple at the Broadripple Brewfest and/or Penrod Art Fair. Other locations are planned.

Brent Joseph is someone you need to know and you’ve got to try a King David Dog. Go online to www.kingdaviddogs.com or stop in and say hello.

Joseph is married with seven-month-old twin boys. His family resides in Indy’s north side community.

Photo caption: A self-described sneaker junkie, Joseph has almost 50 pairs of designer sneaks (to the chagrin of his wife). Pictured, Nike Cortez in orange.


Keianna Rae Harrison (KR), a self-described Buckeyed-Hoosier, migrated across state lines just five years ago from Dayton, OH, aka, "Sleepy Town USA." The thirty-something downtown Indy resident enjoys salsa dancing, museum-hopping, homestore shopping and discovering new activities in Indianapolis. A lover of all things marketing communications, she is a small business owner, and has adopted the phrase, "This is GREAT PR!" as her life's personal mission statement. Find her electronically on Facebook at facebook.com/keiannarae, on Twitter @keiannarae or on her enter-at-your-own-risk blog: thechaoticsoul.com.