IRS lawyer Isaac Stein, furloughed in 2025 shutdown, runs a $11 hot dog stand in D.C., blending humor and purpose until his job resumes.

IRS lawyer Isaac Stein, furloughed during the 2025 government shutdown, runs a hot dog stand called "Shyster's Dogs" in Washington, D.C., selling hot dogs for $11—higher than average—due to his personal dislike of ketchup, though he includes it for sales. The stand, located in NoMa, serves 40 to 50 customers daily, earning $200 to $300 in profit. Originally a weekend side project, it became full-time after his furlough. Stein, who invested a five-figure sum and secured permits, uses his suit and tie as a form of social commentary, blending humor, nostalgia, and community engagement. While the venture has been creatively fulfilling, he plans to return to his IRS job when the shutdown ends, emphasizing that public service is driven by purpose, not pay.