By Sandra Smith

Chris Van Jura, owner of Catalyst Hot Dogs, began his hot dog truck out of a Home Depot parking lot in 2020. He now plans to cater for sporting events at the University of Maryland. 

The business, which sells $8 New Jersey-style hot dogs, opened three years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Catalyst catered a tailgate for the women’s soccer team, which was one of Catalyst’s biggest events at UMD so far, Van Jura said. 

Catalyst is partnered with Denizens Brewing Co. in Riverdale. This is the only permanent location they currently have. The food truck travels around Maryland, occasionally coming to UMD. 

Catalyst will be vending at the XFINITY Center for the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball season. They will be located on the second level and will offer popular menu items including their famous Chicago dog, the All the Way Dog and the Garlic Knot Dog. 

Van Jura began his business during the height of COVID-19. He previously worked as a restaurant general manager, but after two pandemic layoffs, he needed to find another source of income.  

“All of a sudden I went from providing for my family to depending on government assistance,” Van Jura said, “For someone who’s been able to make a living for over 20 years, that was a challenging moment.”

Soon after the layoffs, Van Jura began a GoFundMe to raise $25,000 for his business ventures. He knew if he opened a restaurant, it would be a hot dog joint. 

“A lot of people who have been in the restaurant business as long as I’ve been kind of decide halfway through what your place is going to be,” Van Jura said. “Mine had always been hot dogs.” 

Opening during COVID-19 benefited Catalyst because it was a contactless mobile operation. With the food truck, customers could socially distance and pick up their food with little to no human contact. 

Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, Van Jura serves hot dogs New Jersey style. They make their own chili, relish, hot onion sauce and pay special attention to their presentation – specifically by staying consistent since the opening of the truck. 

Silver Spring resident Matt Flynn began going to Catalyst in August 2020. His favorite menu option is the Lincoln Log, he said.

“Catalyst has some of my favorite food in the area,” Flynn said. “On top of that, it’s always a blast running into Chris there.” 

The hot dogs’ low prices make menu options popular among college students. On weekends, the truck occasionally stops next to Cornerstone Grill and Loft on the intersection of Knox Road and Baltimore Avenue to sell food and advertise to students who are out late. 

Terry, a Riverdale resident and regular customer since Catalyst’s opening, enjoys the atmosphere of Denizens Brewing Co. 

“Everyone’s really friendly. It’s homey and nice to have a local bar to come to,” she said. 

Van Jura hopes to provide more UMD students with a comfortable and satisfying restaurant option right outside of College Park. 

“We’re not a fancy place, we’re a hot dog joint in a brewery,” he said, “But we do what we do very well.”

Featured Image: Catalyst Hot Dogs on Sept. 22, 2023. Photo by Sandra Smith.