Visit Tucson is hosting an El Güero Canelo pop-up today at the Chicago French Market, giving away Tucson-style Sonoran dogs in the Windy City.
The namesake owner, Daniel Contreras, was helping serve up the bacon-wrapped dogs to hungry Chicagoans earlier today.
Contreras, who started El Güero Canelo Restaurante Mexicano in Tucson, had his restaurants recognized with the James Beard American Classic Award earlier this year.
Another pop-up event is set for Monday, the same day Contreras will participate in an awards ceremony at Chicago’s Lyric Opera.
Güero Canelo was one of five restaurants recognized with a Beard Award. The others were: with Dong Phuong Vietnamese bakery in New Orleans; Sun Wah Chinese barbecue in Chicago; Galleria Umberto Sicilian pizzas in Boston; and Los Hernandez tamales in Union Gap, Washington.
The American Classics category of the awards recognizes restaurants with “timeless appeal” that are “cherished for quality food that reflects the character of their community.”
Güero Canelo began as a South 12th Avenue taco stand in 1993. Contreras has expanded to three restaurants in Tucson, as well as a meat market and a restaurant in West Phoenix.
