It’s the final countdown.
As I stop by these last six spots, I feel like Rocky Balboa running up the stone steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with a Sonoran Dog-themed T-shirt waiting for me at the top. I’m LeBron James, a Sonoran dog is Dwyane Wade, and a güero chile is Chris Bosh. We’re the "Big Three," ready to take our first championship — also known as the T-shirt you win when you finish every spot on Visit Tucson’s new interactive Sonoran Dog Trail challenge.
I can see the finish line, but first, I have to chow down on six more hot dogs.
I admit, I may be going a little crazy. I second-guessed my love for the quintessential Tucson meal as I drove around town, but once that golden toasted bun and sizzling bacon-wrapped dog were placed in front of me, those doubts washed away. I was determined to end this three-week journey on a high note, and the final stretch did not disappoint.
For this last leg, I visited: El Sinaloense Hot Dog Cart, Los Ponchos Hot Dogs, Karamelo King, El Kora Sonoran Hot Dogs #2, Angela’s Mexican Food and La Carreta del Rorro.
Each was delicious, but two stood out: Los Ponchos and El Sinaloense.
El Sinaloense #5, 1526 N. Alvernon Way.
Before I even started this journey, El Sinaloense had already changed my life. I went there for lunch a few years ago and was mind-blown; it was the dog that made me realize the hype was real. I’m proud to report that when I stopped by Monday, I was still impressed. The bun is scrumptious, with a buttery, slightly sweet flavor. It’s a large dog, leaving you perfectly satisfied with a balanced ratio of pinto beans and tomatoes.
Los Ponchos also blew me out of the water. I could tell by the beautiful brown crisp on the sides of the bun that it was going to be incredible. It had a savory, smoky flavor from the bacon in every bite. Their güero chile was so limey I almost shed a tear. I love lime, so that tart flavor was exactly what I wanted.
It was bittersweet taking the final bite of the trail. I was ready for my T-shirt, but sad to say goodbye to this tasty chapter. The trail is about more than just eating; it’s about community.
I explored parts of town I don't usually frequent, meeting hardworking business owners who grill for hours with a smile. At Karamelo King, I saw locals chatting with the owner and taking in the vibes. At Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones, coworkers spent their lunch breaks laughing over hot dogs. These spaces bring the community together.
If I had one piece of advice, it would be this: don't "speed run" this trail like I did. Take the time to savor each spot. As I picked up my new T-shirt from the Visitor’s Center, I was beaming with pride. I have a new shirt, but more importantly, I have 15 new places to go when I crave a bacon-wrapped hot dog.
Jamie Donnelly, food reporter for This Is Tucson, in a t-shirt she earned by finishing Visit Tucson's Sonoran Dog Trail.
Now, let’s get to the official Jamie Sonoran Dog Awards!
🏆 Best Bun: Los Ponchos Hot Dogs
I’ve been a broken record about my love for toasted buns, but the ones at Los Ponchos were spectacular. It was fluffy, buttery, and had the perfect toasted crisp. I could eat 20 of these buns plain.
🏆 Best Güero Chile: Yami’s Hotdogs
Once I saw a crispy piece of bacon wrapped around the chile, my mind was made up. The chile was cooked perfectly with a spice that made my mouth tingle, stuffed with gooey cheese. It was a 10/10 torito.
🏆 Cutest Spot: La Carreta del Rorro
This Marana food truck is worth the drive. La Carreta del Rorro is colorful and vibrant with a large, shaded sitting area. With great music and a welcoming atmosphere, it's a perfect place to sit and eat.
🏆 Best Sonoran Dog: Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones
(Drum roll, please...) My favorite dog on the trail was from Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones. I can’t stop thinking about it. It was everything a Sonoran dog should be: a toasted bun, a smoky grilled dog, and the perfect ratio of toppings.
Honorable mentions: Hot Dogs La Reyna and Yami’s Hotdogs.
🏆 Strongest Person in Tucson: Jamie Donnelly
I win for eating 15 Sonoran dogs in three weeks! It was a delicious journey that required many after-lunch naps.
