Amid the 2025 U.S. federal government shutdown, when hundreds of thousands of employees were sent home, one lawyer decided to treat the break not as a dead end but as a launchpad. Isaac Stein, a 31-year-old attorney at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), used his downtime to open a hot-dog stand in Washington, D.C., blending his legal mind with street-food flair. According to his own statements, the operation isn’t just a side gig it’s a creative statement.
From Legal Work to Lunch Lines
Stein has been working for the IRS for about three years, focusing on employee-benefit and retirement-plan regulation. But on October 8, he received a furlough notice as part of the shutdown. What began as a “fun weekend project” quickly became a weekday operation. His push-cart business, named “SHYSTERS”, is located on First and M Street NE in Washington’s NoMa neighborhood.
He invested a five-figure sum into buying the equipment and securing permits, reading more than 150 pages of regulatory documents before launching.
The Concept, Branding & Menu
SHYSTERS is deeply ironic (and intentional). The cart’s name evokes the slang term for a “shady lawyer,” but Stein insists: “Everything was done by the book.”
Menu highlights include:
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“The Only Choice”: a hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut, priced at $10.
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“Hot Dog with the Wrong Toppings”: things like ketchup or less-classic toppings, priced at $11 (the “wrong” toppings cost more).
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A novelty item called “SHIRT OFF MY BACK” for $1,000 (more art than business move).
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Nostalgic snacks like Moon Pies and RC Cola, and free hot-dog-shaped dog treats for pet-owners.
Stein himself serves behind the counter in a full business suit and tie a visual punchline and a branding move. According to Reuters, “the suit … is part of the shtick” bringing “old Washington” street art to food vending.
Daily Routine & Customer Experience
At first scheduled for a few evenings a week and weekends, the cart is now open weekdays, roughly noon to 5 p.m. The clientele? Construction workers, government employees, and remote-workers alike, drawn to the mix of novelty and quality.
Stein says he serves about 40–50 customers daily, with profits around $200–$300 a day. Yet, his motivation goes beyond money: he says the stand gives him connection something his legal work often lacks. “It’s like reading vignettes in a novel,” he said of interacting with customers.
What Happens After the Shutdown?
Though the stand is thriving, Stein remains committed to his IRS role. He plans to return when the shutdown ends but doesn’t intend to abandon the business. His idea: keep SHYSTERS running on weekends, while resuming full-time legal work.
This dual-track goal shows how the “side hustle” conceived during disruption may become more permanent.
Lessons & Take-aways
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Pivot when needed: Stein turned a career pause into a startup opportunity.
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Use your skills: His regulatory background helped him navigate the food-cart permitting maze.
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Branding can be powerful: The blend of irony, personal story, and quality product gives the cart personality.
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Community and story matter: Beyond hot dogs, the experience connects with people on a human level.
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Side gig → sustainable venture? Even a bold but temporary idea can evolve into something longer-term.
While others furloughed at the IRS may have waited out the shutdown, Isaac Stein flipped the script. His hot-dog cart is an unexpected fusion of legal mind and street food vendor, capturing the moment’s uncertainty with humor and hustle. Whether SHYSTERS remains a weekend side gig or becomes something more, one thing is clear: he’s shown that when life interrupts plans, you can still serve up something good mustard on top.
