Above: The late Doug Talbot with his sons, Kirk Talbot and Mark Talbot. Right: Actor John Goodman
photo courtesy: lucky dogs
is a big fan of Lucky Dogs.
bride away at weddings involving vendors. In 1976, the bride was his day manager, Billie; she had proposed to her girlfriend, Bonnie, and the above-mentioned mail-order minister was to perform the ceremony. Alas, the union never took place, and Billie was heartbroken. Another vendor also suffered a blow when the love of his life, a prostitute named Sheila, ended their relationship—for Billie. The second bride met her future husband when she bought a hotdog from him The wedding took place while they worked their Lucky Dog cart together. Upon learning that a news crew planned to attend the ceremony, Strahan opted out of the role of “father of the bride,” and so a beat cop gave the bride away. Just another day at the office. The company’s operations have expanded dramatically since it changed
hands in 1970; it now caters events and has vendors in the airport as well as Harrah’s Casino. Lucky Dogs original hotdogs are now available in select grocery stores. Though Doug Talbot passed away in 2014, his legacy continues. Doug is sorely missed by his family and his business associates. Years ago, he had the pleasure of hiring his two sons, Mark and Kirk, to join the management team after they finished college. Today, they own the family business, together with their mother, Judi Talbot. They work alongside Strahan in the Gravier Street office, just as their father did for so many years. “For Dad, it wasn’t just about selling hot dogs. It was more than that. It was about being a part of New Orleans,” says Kirk, “and I think he appreciated being a small part of New Orleans history.” Lucky for us. February-March 2016 69