They are the man and woman you turn to for a sausage sandwich or a hot dog on the fly.

For the past 22 years, from March to December, Joseph and Donna Catino have called Essex Street their office.

Their silver pushcart with an umbrella is strategically placed right on the sidewalk on Appleton Way, between City Hall, the school department and within walking distance of two courthouses.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, the couple serves up fresh Italian sausage, hot dogs, Polish kielbasa, steak and cheese, hamburgers and sodas. They originally brought their business to Lawrence in 1986, after then-Congressman Paul Tsongas secured federal money to spruce up Essex Street.

The Catinos previously served up savory sausages, dogs and burgers in Copley Plaza and the Boston Common.

They say loyal customers are what keep their business going and growing in downtown Lawrence.

"They care about us, and they are always glad to see us come back each year. They defend us if another cart comes around," Donna Catino said. "We don't know all their names, but they are actually our friends."

What are your best sellers?

Joseph: "Italian sausages and hot dogs."

What's the weirdest request you get from customers?

Donna: "Just recently, more people have been asking for mayonnaise for their hot dogs."

Who's your best customer?

Joseph: "There really isn't one person in particular. We see a lot of people from the school department, City Hall and the courts. A lot of women who came here as a young girls, with their mothers, now stop by. They bring their own kids."

How many people would you say you serve a day?

Joseph: "I'm not telling," he says with a smile. He also won't give his age.

Essex Street is going back to two-way traffic in July? Will that help you?

Joseph: "I don't know if it will. Right now, people drive up, park and run over to place an order. That will be more difficult to do with two-way traffic. We'll see how it goes."

What's the best compliment you've been given?

Donna: "That we make the best food anywhere. That people are waiting for us to open in March. They'll say 'We waited for you all winter.' "

Have you ever served anyone famous?

Donna: "The TV newspeople from Boston, when court cases are being televised. And once, maybe Frankie Valle, or a look alike."

You work right on the street. How do you handle cold weather?

Donna: "Lots of light layers. Sometimes I wear up to six layers."

Joseph: "The biggest enemy is the wind."

What's the best part of running a cart like this?

Joseph: "Working with people and working out in the sun."

Is it hard to work with your spouse all the time?

Donna: "We work differently and at the same time, we work well together. Nobody cares more about a business than the person that owns it ... It's our business and it's an advantage for us to be together."

-Jill Harmacinski