Once the light in the tip jar is flashing, the boom box is playing, and the water is boiling, Rapid Rick, the self-proclaimed hot dog pimp, is ready for work.

“File in, get liquored up, and come get a hot dog,” he shouted as bar-goers waited outside the doors of The Brewing Co. at 423 Park Row in downtown Bowling Green.

Bowling Green resident Rick Malek, or Rapid Rick, has been working from his hot dog cart for about three years and has made the sidewalk of The Brewing Co. his home on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Ashley Austin, The Brewing Co. manager, said everyone loves his personality.

“He has a flashy tip jar. He’s loud and exciting,” she said. “He promotes himself well.”

Malek, who is originally from New Jersey, said his idea to start selling hot dogs came from a night of craving food from his home state.

“One night I wanted a good hot dog. I went all over town and couldn’t find one,” he said. “So that’s when I realized that was my calling in life — to sell good hot dogs.”

The quality of the hot dog is what makes his so special, Malek said.

“You can’t buy these off the grocery shelf,” he said. “It’s higher quality meat.”

Malek said his are the best hot dogs in Bowling Green.

“My hot dogs are better than any restaurant,” he said. “I’ll put my product against anyone in town.”

Glasgow resident Damian Flores said the convenience was the best part about Malek’s hot dog stand.

“I was here a couple weeks ago and I didn’t want to drive to go get something to eat,” Flores said. “It was cool to have him right outside.”

The Brewing Co. promoter Jamie Watts admitted to having eaten about 100 hot dogs since Malek has been selling them.

Malek said regulars are common, especially outside of a bar.

But with the bar scene comes some obstacles.

“All the drunk people can be really frustrating, but I don’t let it bother me,” Malek said. “You’re selling hot dogs outside a bar — you’re going to deal with drunk people.”

Malek usually starts setting up about 11:30 p.m. and stays until the bars close at 2 a.m.

Austin said Malek usually comes in the bar at about 1:45 a.m. and announces the last call for hot dogs.

And that, Malek said, is when it gets busy.

“Last weekend during Homecoming, I probably made 100 hot dogs in an hour,” he said.

But during the average weekend, the number of hot dogs he sells varies between one and 50, Malek said.

Although the cold weather sometimes keeps him home, Malek said he’s there almost every Thursday and Saturday night.

He said that the winter season doesn’t compare to his business during the summer.

“My summer schedule is brutal,” Malek said. “I’ll be out ’til 4 a.m. and get up about 9 a.m. to set up for lunch.”

He said he also sells lunch in Fountain Square Park from April to November and at Graves-Gilbert Clinic, at 201 Park St., on Mondays year-round.

“I’m not an entertainer. I don’t juggle,” Malek said. “I’m here to serve great food at a reasonable price.”

He has a variety of hot dogs and toppings, including mustard, ketchup and jalapenos, all for $2.75.

Malek said his favorite hot dog is New York style with brown mustard and onions.

He said he will be going on vacation from Nov. 20 to Dec. 3, but will be selling hot dogs on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Customers can find Malek on Facebook through his “Rapid Rick” fan page.

Rick Malek works fast to feed a hungry crowd pouring out of the closing bars in downtown Bowling Green on Nov. 7. Malek, better known as Rapid Rick the Hot Dog Pimp, sets up his hot dog cart outside of The Brewing Co. most weekends starting at about 11:30 p.m. KOHL THRELKELD/HERALD