11 Tucson spots to celebrate National Hot Dog Day
Wednesday is National Hot Dog Day! And what better way to celebrate than with a good ol' hot dog?
Lucky for us Tucsonans, we have plenty of hot dog options — and even more Sonoran hot dog options.
If you've never had a Sonoran hot dog before, you're in for a flavorful treat. A typical Sonoran hot dog includes a bacon-wrapped hot dog stuffed into a bun, smothered with pinto beans, tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise, and mustard. Other mix-ins — salsa, guacamole, cheese, chorizo — are also popular.
Not sure where to go to get your hot dog fix? We've got 11 suggestions.
(Hint: Despite the already cheap price, some of the hot dog spots are offering discounts for the food holiday!)
Pat's Drive In
Updated
Pat's Drive-In
Pat's Drive In is a go-to spot for hot dogs drenched in chili — or spicy chili if that caters more to your taste buds.
Pat's has been serving Tucson for decades and has become an iconic Tucson spot.
Find Pat's Drive In at 1202 W. Niagara Street.
You Sly Dog
Updated
With close to 10 different hot dog options, You Sly Dog is a good place to visit to conquer your hot dog cravings.
Try the New Mexican dog, which is an all-beef hot dog topped with grilled steak, ground beef, green chili, onion, spicy sour cream, and Frito crumbs.
They also serve Sonoran hot dogs if that's more your thing.
You can find You Sly Dog at 3795 N. Oracle Road, but the truck also caters to events around Tucson. Call them at 954-8174 to see where they'll be next.
El Guero Canelo
Updated
The Sonoran hot dog at El Güero Canelo won a national gourmet award.
El Guero Canelo is one of the most popular Sonoran hot dog spots, namely for receiving a James Beard Award — a giant honor in the food world.
If you visit El Guero Canelo on National Hot Dog Day, you can get two hot dogs and a drink for only $5.
El Guero Canelo is located at 5201 S. 12th Avenue, 2480 N. Oracle Road, 5802 E. 22nd Street, and 4519 S. 12th Avenue.
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
Updated
Jose Hoyos applies all the toppings to an order of Sonora dogs at BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs, 5118 South 12th Ave, on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs is a popular spot for Sonoran hot dogs.
The hot dogs include all the regular fixings, in addition to a secret jalapeno sauce and a grilled yellow pepper on the side.
BK was recently featured on the Travel Channel's Food Wars, where they competed against El Guero Canelo for the best Sonoran hot dog.
Spoiler alert: BK won.
BK can be found at 2680 N. 1st Avenue and 5118 S 12th Avenue.
4th Avenue Delicatessen
UpdatedWith several sandwich and hot dog options, the 4th Avenue Delicatessen is a worthy spot to visit on National Hot Dog Day.
Hot dogs include the NYC Dog with sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard and the Chicago Dog with tomato, relish, onion, peppers, yellow mustard, and a pickle spear.
The hot dog spot is also offering buy one, get one free from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on National Hot Dog Day.
The 4th Avenue Deli is located at 425 N. 4th Avenue.
Aqui Con El Nene
Updated
During my first taco at Aqui Con El Nene, I ran into James Beard-winning chef Janos Wilder picking up takeout.
Aqui Con El Nene is a popular spot that serves Sonoran hot dogs.
Beyond Sonoran hot dogs, Aqui Con El Nene also serves up tacos, burros, and tortas.
Aqui Con El Nene can be found at 4415 N. Flowing Wells Road and 65 W. Valencia Road.
Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails
Updated
Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails at 135 S. Sixth Ave.
Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails probably isn't your first thought when searching for a hot dog.
But the restaurant definitely serves them, though only on the bar menu. The hot dog is taken to the next level with chorizo, black beans, smoked poblano crema, mustard, pickled nopalitos, and onion, with a side of fries.
Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails is located at 135 S. 6th Avenue.
El Perro Loco Hot Dogs
UpdatedEl Perro Loco Hot Dogs is most known for the chipilon, which includes a toasted bun covered in cheese. They also have a version that adds garlic to the toasty cheesy goodness.
El Perro Loco also serves Quesadogos, which includes all the Sonoran hot dog fixings crammed into a quesadilla, and Tostidogos, which is a bag of Tostitos chips topped with hot dog fixings.
El Perro Loco is located at East 36th Street and South Country Club Road, West Valencia Road and South Cardinal Avenue, and 1285 W. Ajo Way.
Los Chipilones (Ruiz Hot Dogs)
Updated
Tucson has tons of Sonoran dogs, but we prefer the version sold by Los Chipilones on South Sixth Avenue and 22nd Street because of the toasted bun.
The food cart that sits on East 22nd Street and South Sixth Avenue is a must-try.
Now known as Los Chipilones, but formerly known as Ruiz Hot Dogs, the food cart is often full with people hoping to get their hot dog fix.
El Sinaloense Hot Dogs
Updated
El Sinaloense has multiple hot dog carts around Tucson and they appear to be a fan-favorite.
Take a look at the photos on their Yelp page. They're guaranteed to make you hungry.
El Sinaloense is located on 1526 N. Alvernon Way and 3427 E. Speedway Boulevard.
Taqueria Jason/Jason's Mexican Food
Updated
The truck is parked on the northwest corner of East 22nd Street and South Alamo Avenue.
Whether you visit Taqueria Jason, Jason's Mexican Restaurant, or Jason's Mexican Food, you're bound to run into a Sonoran hot dog.
Taqueria Jason is located at 6041 E. 22nd Street. Jason's Mexican Restaurant is located at 2545 S. Craycroft Road. Jason's Mexican food is located at 2400 N. Pantano Road and 45 W. Valencia Road.
Did we miss any of your favorite hot dogs? Let us know!
