Thereβs something magical about a bacon-wrapped hot dog.
Itβs more than a delicious option for lunch. It represents our community.
The first bite into the toasted, buttery bolillo bun is enough to fill your mind with fond memories of you and your friends enjoying a mountain of Sonoran dogs at El Guero Canelo, laughing as a spread of salsa, Mexican Coke bottles and hotdogs covers the table.
It could remind you of your favorite hot dog cart you happened to stumble upon one day, thatβs now your best kept hidden secret. You know, the one you're ready to go to war for if anyone dares to disrespect the owner, a.k.a. the kindest man on earth.
Whether youβre looking for a quick lunch or wildly running through downtown Tucson at 1 a.m. in search of something to eat, you can always count on a Sonoran dog.
A Sonoran dog is the quintessential Tucson meal, which is exactly why Visit Tucson made their Sonoran Dog Trail.
Earlier this month they unveiled their new interactive challenge, encouraging locals and visitors to go on the ultimate Sonoran dog scavenger hunt.
Their trail features 15 different places all over town. From small carts, to legendary restaurants, each of these spots is serving up Sonoran dogs thatβll flood your mind with all those delicious memories.
βThe Sonoran Dog Trail is about more than food β itβs about community, heritage and supporting local businesses,β said Cindy Aguilar, Visit Tucsonβs vice president of communications. βThis trail gives people a fun, flavorful way to experience Tucsonβs unique culinary identity while exploring different neighborhoods across the city.β
Every place you go, youβll have to check-in in order to cross them off your list. Once you earn 80 points, youβll be able to pick up a sheet of Sonoran dog stickers. If you go to all of the places, youβll win a t-shirt that lists all the tasty ingredients: a bacon-wrapped hot dog, onion, tomato, mustard, jalapeΓ±o, bolillo bun, pinto beans, and mayonnaise.
I NEED that t-shirt.
So, I made the decision to take on the trail, savoring each and every mouthwatering Sonoran dog, and reporting back to you all. Itβs real boots on the ground journalism here!!!
Come along with me during this three-part series where I tackle the Sonoran Dog Trail. Hereβs the best part: you can join in on all the hot dog fun!
A Sonoran dog from El Guero Canelo.Β
El Guero Canelo
I obviously had to start my journey at the ultimate Sonoran dog spot: El Guero Canelo. Daniel Contreras has been slinging Sonoran dogs since 1993, even winning a James Beard Award for them in 2018.
I walked into their newly renovated spot and ordered one Sonoran dog without mayonnaise. (Sorry, everyone, I just canβt do regular mayo, something about it freaks me out lol.)
It tasted exactly like a good, classic Sonoran dog. The hot dog itself was cooked well and I loved all the toppings, especially the cooked onions and the mustard. I thought it added a nice tanginess to all the savory flavors.
The bolillo bun was nice and soft, too. I couldβve easily eaten two of them. It was a tasty way to start off the trail!
(Each Sonoran dog comes with a guero chile, so I decided to do a pepper-spiciness rating with every place!)
π₯ Guero spice rating: 3/5. You never know if youβll get a spicy or mild guero chile so itβs like a fun (or painful) surprise! The guero chile here was pretty spicy! I had to use my hot dog as a palate cleanser. It definitely had some burning and tingly heat to it. I did finish it, despite the spiciness, because it was too good!
A Sonoran dog from El Perro Loco Hot Dogs.Β
El Perro Loco Hot Dogs
Next up was this bright yellow hot dog cart you definitely wonβt want to miss. The worker greeted me with a big smile and cheerfully handed me my Sonoran dog.
This Sonoran dog had bigger pieces of caramelized onions on top, instead of the tiny, chopped up white onions other places may have. I really liked it and thought it added an extra layer of rich flavor.
I also loved that they had a spicy jalapeΓ±o sauce, it added the perfect amount of spice to the hot dog, giving a brightness to the whole meal that brought it to life.
π₯ Guero spice rating: 1/5. This was a very mild guero so I was able to eat it up without any problems or tears!
A Sonoran dog from Percheron Mexican Grill.
Percheron Mexican Grill
This spot is known for their bacon-wrapped burritos, so of course they would also have stellar bacon-wrapped hot dogs!
First things first, their bolillo bun was UNBELIEVABLE. Its sides were perfectly toasted and it has such a perfect buttery, slightly sweet taste to it that was heavenly. I want a lifetime supply of those buns.
Unlike your typical Sonoran dog, here they top theirs with slices of fresh avocado. I actually liked the avocado, and thought it added a nice, soft creamy texture to the hot dog.
This was one of my early favorites! I would say, if it had a little bit more mustard and some of that jalapeΓ±o sauce from El Perro Loco, it would elevate it even more.
π₯ Guero spice rating: 2/5. This had a slight kick to it, which is my ideal pepper amount: not too mild and not too spicy. If I donβt have to chug a glass of water, itβs a win for me!
Monster Sonoran Hot Dogs serves foot-long dogs, including a birria hot dog,Β slathered in a range of toppings and served in brightly colored orange and red buns.Β
Monster Sonoran Hot Dogs
This spot inside American Eat Co. has something no one else does: a bright pink bun!
Each hot dog gets to be tucked inside a pink bolillo bun, adding a little extra pizazz to your meal. Donβt let the color scare you away, this was another top-notch bun! The bun here is fluffy and perfectly complements all the spicy and savory flavors that the hot dog has going on.
Personally, I like a lot of mustard on my Sonoran dogs. I think it adds an extra umph to everything, so I was happy to see they did not skimp on it.
The hot dog and bacon were awesome and I also loved the pinto beans and tomatoes on top. It was an above average Sonoran dog that I would definitely get again.
(Tip: if you want even more Sonoran dog, they have a footlong one here!)
π₯ Guero spice rating: 3/5. Just like the El Guero Canelo chile, this one had a good amount of kick to it. I had to take back a few gulps of water to get some relief after eating it.
