Bushfan hot dogs picked for State Fair

Durham entrepreneur Joseph Bushfan, who operates Joe's Diner ("Home of the one-pound hot dog") at Angier Avenue and Driver Street, will be working the State Fair midway next month.

Bushfan (right), who is married to Durham District Court Judge Elaine Bushfan, said Wednesday he's been picked as a State Fair vendor, along with the usual purveyors of turkey legs, roast corn and deep-fried candy bars.

"They really bought not only the product, but they really liked Joseph's story, where he has come from and what he and Elaine are doing," said Durham businessman Dan Hill, who is a finacial backer of Bushfan's effort to uplift the run-down and crime-plagued area of Northeast Central Durham.

"He is very excited, and should be," Hill said. "That's one of the things that can really jumpstart a business."

For his part, Bushfan said, "Business is going great." Besides Joe's Diner, his Superlative Fine Foods has opened a cafe and grocery at the Angier/Driver corner and he has a concession to sell his hot dogs (not just full-pound size) on Duke's East Campus and at Duke football games.

He's expecting a very good weekend with Alabama coming to town. He's going to have a stand at the Crimson Tide fans' tailgate area.

"It's kind of busy," Bushfan said.