Furloughed IRS lawyer Isaac Stein used a government shutdown to open a hot-dog cart called Shysters. He sells wieners with Moon Pies and RC Cola — a combo once nicknamed "the working man's lunch" — and advertises the stand as "The Only Honest Ripoff in DC." Though he plans to return to his IRS job when recalled, the cart's success means he'll continue operating on weekends.
Furloughed IRS Lawyer Launches 'Shysters' Hot-Dog Cart — "The Only Honest Ripoff in DC"
Photo: Isaac Stein, 31, at his hot dog stand, October 24, 2025; Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
During a recent federal government shutdown, furloughed IRS lawyer Isaac Stein turned a childhood ambition into a small-business reality by opening a hot-dog cart called Shysters.
From Legal Briefs to Street Eats
Operating his cart while away from the office, Stein serves classic wieners paired with Moon Pies and RC Cola — a combination once known as "the working man's lunch" during the Great Depression. The stand leans into local humor and transparency with its cheeky slogan:
The Only Honest Ripoff in DC.
Although Stein always intended to return to his IRS position when recalled, the cart proved unexpectedly popular. He now plans to continue running Shysters on weekends while resuming his legal work during the week.
More Than a Gimmick
What began as a furlough-time project has become a small entrepreneurial success story that highlights how federal employees sometimes adapt during government pauses. Stein's mix of nostalgia (Moon Pies and RC Cola), witty branding, and convenient quick food helped the cart gain traction among locals and visitors alike.
