One of the best aspects of the Southwest is its abundance of indulgently delicious Tex-Mex and Mexican food. From nachos to carne asada tacos, there's no better place to be for a plate overflowing with spicy, cheesy goodness. One of the best Tex-Mex inventions is the Sonoran hot dog, which is an amazing fusion of classic American food and tasty Mexican flavors.
What is a Sonoran Hot Dog?
The Sonoran hot dog is indeed a hot dog, but there's more to it than you can possibly imagine from just the name. This hot dog variety was created in the '80s in Hermosillo, the capital of the Mexican state of Sonora. It involves a grilled and bacon-wrapped hot dog, which is then topped with classic Mexican condiments like pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and jalapeño salsa.
This delicious hot dog is served on a bolillo hot dog bun, and you can find it throughout Tucson, Phoenix, and other parts of southern Arizona. Along with the classics, many like their Sonoran hot dogs doused in mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup. If you ever find yourself in Tucson, El Guero Canelo is the place to go.
Sonoran hot dogs are sold by street cart vendors known as "dogueros." Some dogueros add their own twist to the hot dog recipe, using refried beans instead of pinto, and adding on sour cream, pico de Gallo, diced red onion, cotija cheese, guacamole, or lime juice. A garnish of fresh cilantro on top pulls it all together, resulting in an insanely flavorful and delectable meal.
These famous hot dogs from Mexico have converted many an American since their invention in the 80s. They've been featured on Food Wars, in food contests, and even in The New York Times. You can find them at food trucks in small towns throughout the Southwest, as well as in bigger cities. Here are some of the best places to get your bacon-wrapped hot dog fix in Austin!
Make Your Own
For those with no plans to head to the American Southwest for a bacon-wrapped delight, you can make your own Sonoran-style hot dog with the right ingredients. Although it may not be the real deal, you can get pretty close with a good Sonoran hot dog recipe. Once you get this down, it'll be all the rage at any potluck or BBQ!
