So Sabe's serving hot dogs and Cape Verdean fare opens in Onset

Apr 1, 2012

Hot dogs usually bring to mind baseball games, amusement parks, and of course, New York City vendors hollering behind food carts.

Now, they will bring to mind a tiny corner next to Four Square Church in Onset thanks to new hot dog stand featuring a touch of Cape Verdean flare.

Co-owners Jayson Vieira and Gerald Fernandes, senior pastor at the Four Square Church, say that the stand is not just about food, but about sharing their Christian faith with the greater community.

"It's evangelism, reaching out to everyone in the community," said Fernandes. "You can fill your belly, but also fill your soul."

So Sabe's, which means "it's so good" in Cape Verdean Creole, opened on March 9 and serves Sabrett hot dogs, chili dogs, and chicken tenders Monday through Saturday and Cape Verdean munchoopa, jagacida, and goo fone on the weekends.

"For somebody to get a good hot dog, they would have to go to Kool Kone," said Vieira about why he started his eatery. "For Cape Verdean food, you have to go to New Bedford or go to people's homes."

The stand is a dream come true for Vieira, who started thinking about creating an eatery almost 3 years ago.

Vieira spent some time in New York last year, learned a bit about how to run a food cart, and with the help of friends, family, and mentors from the Four Square Church, started his business three weeks ago.

Fernandes is one of those mentors. He and Vieira grew up playing sports and went to bible school together.

Vieira added that the support of family and mentors from the church, including Paul Barnett, military chaplain at Four Square, has been crucial not only in starting his business, but also in turning his life around.

Vieira admits that he has made some "bad choices" in his life, and sees the food stand as a way to uplift himself, as well as the community.

"My life hasn't always been the best," said Vieira. "God has always been good to me and … put right people in my path. He never gave up on me."

Vieira counts his mother, who pushes him in the morning to get out and get the stand running, as one of his biggest supporters.

There is also Vern Cardoza, usher at the Four Square Church and former chef at the Top of the Hub restaurant in Boston, who is teaching Vieira about food safety and sanitation.

So Sabe's "would never have happened if I didn't have the right people behind me," Vieira said.

Some of those people have been his customers as well. Wareham resident Rita Mendes, who babysat Vieira when he was a child, stopped by on March 29 to put in a special order for Cape Verdean food for the weekend.

"I'm here all the time," Mendes said. "He can cook. The food is excellent."

There are 13 items on the menu of So Sabe's, ranging in price from $1 goo fone to $6 Italian sweet sausage. Some items will be taken off and new ones will be added as the community gives Vieira feedback. (Potato salad and the Boston baked beans are on the chopping block!)

Ultimately, Vieira would like to see the menu expand, he said.

"It's more than just a hot dog stand to me. It's a stepping stone," he said. Maybe one day I can have a So Sabe's restaurant."

So Sabe's is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Customers can call So Sabe's at 774-678-8747 to place orders in advance for pick-up.