“Diamond Dogs” owner has become an iconic part of baseball in LODO
Before every Rockies home game for the last quarter century, Joel Watkins sets up his hot dog cart topped with a rainbow umbrella just outside Coors Field. As first pitch approaches, his line runs long but he works fast, systematically doling out dogs and brats for a clientele he knows almost entirely by first name.
Watkins, 58, operates “Diamond Dogs” on the southwest corner of 19th and Wynkoop Streets. Among the many peddlers selling peanuts, water and candy near the stadium, he most notably has become part of the fabric of the neighborhood as one of the last of Lodo’s hot dog vendors.
“It’s not just the hot dogs and the brats — it’s his demeanor, how he interacts with people, how he remembers everyone,” explained Diana Kinsey, 80, a longtime season-ticket holder and a Diamond Dogs regular. “He’s part of the scene. For a lot of folks, a trip to the ballpark wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Hang around Watkins’ cart for a few minutes on game day, and Kinsey’s sentiment rings true. Since 1995, the vendor has served a few hundred hungry customers per game, a consistency that earned him an official proclamation by the mayor for “Joel Watkins Day” in addition to the street credibility needed to survive in a dog-eat-dog business.
Watkins has also long operated his cart for the lunchtime business crowd at 20th and Curtis streets, in addition to working
various odds-and-ends events such as city swim meets and local high school events. It’s not the career the Sand Springs, Okla., native had in mind when he moved to Denver after dropping out of college, but it’s one he’s come to love.
“I initially wanted to do the cart when they opened the baseball stadium,” Watkins said. “I thought I’d do it for a year, have some fun, make some money. I had a blast getting to talk to people all day, be outside in the sun, and back then I got to watch a lot more baseball because I wasn’t as busy. But the people kept me going the next year, and still do. I meet a lot of good friends out here.”
Those good friends tend to have extra tickets they’re willing to give away to their favorite vendor, so after Watkins and his assistant Dan Carlin are done serving, around the fifth inning, they’ll often head into the stadium to catch the end of the game.
As Carlin explains, Diamond Dog’s “honest” prices have built up strong customer loyalty. Watkins has raised the cost of a dog just 50 cents since 1995, as it’s $2 for a hot dog and $4 for a brat, with drink and chip combos available, too.
“Beyond the good food and the service and Joel’s reliability, I’d also like to think we help make it affordable for some people to come to a ballgame,” said Carlin, 28. “That’s a huge reason for his sustained success, too.”
But question marks about the future of Diamond Dawgs loom. Six years ago, Watkins had to move from his longtime spot at the northeast corner of 19th and Wynkoop to the southwest corner due to permit issues. Now, with the massive mixed-use, threebuilding Mcgregor Square scheduled to open in 2021 about 20 yards away from his cart, he fears that Diamond Dogs could get displaced again.
“I hope when this Monfortstrosity gets built that it won’t kick him off this corner, because I would say that’s a concern for this cart,” said Eric Brown, a longtime customer and a season-ticket holder. “(The square) is going to bring some nightlife, some fun, some food and bars in there. But — will it take away the small, independent hot dog operator and the people selling peanuts on the street a block away? Those are the people who make going to the ballpark fun, too.”
For Watkins’ part, he admits he’s mulling hanging up his grilling hat at some point.
“I have some other plans, but they’re not set in stone yet,” Watkins said. “But I do plan on being back for next year. Even though this is the most disappointing season the Rockies have had because we’re in last place, it’s still fun out here.”
For now, Watkins remains ingrained in Lodo. He gets a honk from the mail lady as she turns the corner in her truck, and he gets razzed by the parcel delivery man who passes by and tells Watkins he needs to turn down the September heat.
He’s served about a half-million customers since he began, including regular Sunday visits in the past by Todd Helton, a Rockies icon.
“See, I’d argue that Joel’s as much of a part of the Rockies experience as Todd Helton was,” said Greg Hartung, 58, who was busy topping off his brat before a game last week. “You got your dog from Joel, you talk shop with him, then went to see the homers and great plays by Todd.”
Then Hartung stopped, and shouted a question to the vendor that paired humor with an obvious sign of Watkins’ prominent stature.
“Hey Joel, when are they retiring your number?!”
“I hope when this Monfortstrosity gets built that it won’t kick him off this corner, because I would say that’s a concern for this cart.” Eric Brown, longtime customer