Links-N-Lemonade has evolved from a food cart into a bricks-and-mortar hot dog stand swathed in canary-yellow walls in Graceland Shopping Center.

Owner Damon Owens, an East Cleveland native, said all-beef, quarter-pound dogs are the foundation of most menu items, although a veggie dog is an option.

The menu was kept short and simple, but customers can create their own specialties with a maximum of 10 toppings, Owens said.

Among the top sellers are the Coney dog, which has a thick, homemade chili sauce, and the Clevelander, topped with coleslaw, fresh-cut fries and barbecue sauce.

The “missing link,” served Chicago-style with fries, uses a veggie hot dog.

“It tastes good,” Owens said. “I struggled with that for a long time because I couldn’t find a veggie dog I liked. But I found one I liked.”

Owens said he doesn’t skimp on toppings, and one dog usually provides a substantial meal.

“Some people use a knife and fork,” he said.

Signature dogs are $5.75 to $6.75.

Customers are advised to share an order of fresh-cut fries ($4.75).

“We give you at least a pound of fries,” he said.

Loaded fries — with cheddar, Coney sauce, bacon and barbecue sauce — also are a side option, as are homemade baked beans.

Fresh-squeezed lemonade is available year-round at the restaurant at 128 Graceland Blvd. on the North Side, Owens said.

He started the food-cart business 11 years ago when he moved to Columbus, with the hope of opening a restaurant near the Ohio State University campus. But the recession hit and Owens faced two mortgages, so he started working in corporate wireless communication while keeping his business alive part time.

By 2016, he was all in with the cart and earned a coveted spot at Tanger Outlets Columbus off Interstate 71 in Delaware County.

“After one year, I was able to buy a food truck,” he said. He sold his house in Columbus to set up the truck, which is still in operation, he said.

Getting to the point of opening a restaurant was a struggle, Owens said.

“I learned that I didn’t want to do it again, but in order to grow, you’re going to have to do again, and I did it again with the restaurant,” he said

Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 614-987-6221.

Something stirring in Polaris

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream plans a 2020 opening in the Polaris area.

It will be the first central Ohio location of Bruster’s, which is based in Bridgewater, Pennsylvania.

The store will be at 1515 Gemini Place on the north side of Polaris Fashion Place.

Franchisee Bob Eck hopes to open several stores in the area.

All ice creams are made in-house. Bruster’s is known for premium ice cream flavors such as blueberry cobbler and butterscotch ripple, plus Italian ice and sorbet, shakes and other items. Sugar-free options also are available.

Bruster’s has 150 ice cream flavors, 24 of which are offered daily.

Close shave

New to the frozen-confection scene: Chilljoy Frozen Treatery, a mobile unit serving Hawaiian shave ice and Johnson’s Real Ice Cream.

Founder Stephani McIntry said she fell in love with shave ice while she was in the Army and stationed in Hawaii.

Here’s how it works: A block of ice is placed over a shaver, which gives the ice a snowy, fluffy texture, and the syrup is mixed in thoroughly so that every bite has flavor, McIntry said.

She said she has both traditional and tropical syrups, purees and an assortment of toppings. Sugar-free ice cream and syrups are available.

Eco-friendly bowls of ice cream, shave ice and toppings are $6, junior servings of ice cream or shave ice are $2.75, and single scoops of ice cream are $3.50.

McIntry serves her desserts from a 1959 Chevy Grumman Olson Kurbside delivery van.

She said her goal is open a bricks-and-mortar store on the South Side close to her house while still operating the van.

For more information on Chilljoy or to see its schedule, visit www.chilljoyft.com.

Dispatch restaurant reporter Gary Seman Jr. can be reached at onrestaurants@dispatch.com.