Furloughed IRS Lawyer finds Unexpected Success Slinging Hot Dogs in D.C.
Nearly one month into the ongoing government shutdown, a Washington, D.C. lawyer is turning a childhood dream into a reality – and a surprisingly accomplished business – one hot dog at a time.
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers remain on furlough as the shutdown continues, forcing many to seek alternative sources of income. Isaac Stein, normally a lawyer for the IRS specializing in tax regulations, is among them. But instead of simply weathering the storm, Stein has embraced the unexpected downtime by launching “Shysters Dogs,” a hot dog stand with a playfully cynical edge.
“I am having a grand old time slinging hot dogs,” Stein said, sporting a suit and tie while working the corner stand on a sunny Sunday afternoon, October 26, 2025. The stand’s motto, “the only honest ripoff in DC,” hints at its unique approach to pricing. A hot dog and a drink costs $10, or $17 with a bag of chips if you purchase two hot dogs.
The venture, though, is more than just a temporary fix. Stein revealed that opening a hot dog business has been a lifelong ambition. “While my classmates enjoyed playing basketball, I had more fun manning the concessions stand,” he explained. He secured all the necessary permits in late September, only to be furloughed on October 8th, transforming a planned side project into a full-time, seven-days-a-week operation.
The menu at “Shysters Dogs” is deliberately quirky. Customers can choose between a “correct hot dog” – Stein’s preferred combination of mustard and sauerkraut – or a “hot dog with the wrong toppings.” “I’m trying to incentivize people to do what I think a correct hot dog is,” Stein said, “but if someone wants othre things, that’s totally, totally fine. No judgment. But I do reserve the right to assess an additional dollar as a penalty.”
Beyond the hot dogs, the stand offers a selection of nostalgic treats, including RC Cola (which Stein declares the best cola), MoonPies, and even dog treats. A 5-cent discount is offered to customers who can “briefly recite the ancient meaning of MoonPies and/or RC Cola.” Perhaps the most audacious item on the menu is simply listed as “SHIRT OFF MY BACK.”
“If someone coughs up a solid grand, I will literally strip half naked, take the shirt off my back, call it a day and walk home,” Stein quipped. So far, no one has taken him up on the offer.
Currently, Stein estimates he sells around 50 hot dogs each day. While he looks forward to returning to his position at the IRS, he
…estimates he is earning more from “Shysters Dogs” than he would be while working a reduced furlough schedule. why did this happen? Isaac Stein, an IRS lawyer, was furloughed during a government shutdown and decided to pursue a lifelong dream of owning a hot dog stand. Who is involved? The primary individual is Isaac Stein,but it also impacts hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers and customers of “Shysters Dogs.” What occurred? Stein launched a hot dog stand, “Shysters Dogs,” capitalizing on his downtime and a pre-existing business plan. How did it end? As of October 26, 2025, the stand is thriving, and Stein is earning
