Bill Connell, 55, stands in front of his Surf Dog stand in Carpinteria. He’s been in the hot dog business since he left his native New Jersey when he was 38. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Cai Norton, 9, of Santa Barbara enjoys his hot dog at the Surf Dog stand, located at Bailard Avenue off of the 101 Freeway. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Cai Norton bites into his hot dog before his dad, Doug, gets to his. The franks are free Thursday morning in celebration of Connell’s sales-tax victory. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Bill Connell flies the California flag for the first time in years. His fight against the state Board of Equalization over sales-tax exemption is finally over. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Bill Connell has been serving up dogs for 18 years. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
