El Charro Cafe, originally founded in 1922, is the country’s oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant, and it’s still among the most popular in Tucson. All three locations serve a robust menu of classics, from queso-stuffed rellenos to a variety of soft-shell tacos, but the must-order here is the Carne Seca platter. El Charro’s trademark dish, perfected over a hundred years now, orbits around angus beef that’s been marinated, sun-dried, shredded, and grilled before it’s plated with the works.

It’s a Tucson institution where you can get the best “Sonoran/Mexican hot dogs” north of the border... But what’s a Sonoran hot dog?. It’s a wiener wrapped in bacon(!), served atop beans in a bolillo roll, topped with tomatoes, mustard, mayo, onions, and green chiles.

The Contreras family of Tucson opened a small hot dog stand back in 1993 that dished out hot and tasty carne asada and the now-famous Sonora dog. Today, that small hot dog stand has evolved in a mini-empire, with three Tucson locations of El Guero Canelo giving locals and visitors an authentic taste of Tucson and Sonora food culture. The Sonora Hot Dog has been featured on Food Network and numerous publications, a hot dog wrapped in mesquite-smoked bacon and topped with copious amounts of grilled onions, beans, mayonnaise and--if you dare--jalapenos.

The Travel Channel’s Man v. Food producers clearly agreed, choosing two 12th Avenue favorites, El Guero Canelo and BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs, to duke it out for the country’s best Sonoran hot dog. BK won the local judges’ blind taste test, but I can never decide which dog I like best, so I often choose on the basis of atmosphere. While BK is low-key, El Guero Canelo is lively, a snapshot of rural Mexico with rowdy-fun ranchero and cumbia music, red, white and green pennants, and a corrugated tin roof.

A true Tucson institution, El Güero Canelo has built a cult following for its authentic Sonoran hot dogs—a bacon-wrapped frank topped with pinto beans, grilled onions, tomatoes, mayo, mustard, and jalapeño sauce, all nestled in a fluffy bolillo bun. What started as a humble food stand is now a James Beard Award-winning restaurant that remains a must-visit for both locals and tourists. 🔥 Must-Try: Sonoran Hot Dog, Carne Asada Tacos 💡 Pro Tip: Visit during non-peak hours to avoid long lines.

We’re not sure what we like best about Sonoran hotdog house El Güero Canelo, a Tucson institution serving bacon-wrapped dogs since 1993. The toppers include a combo of pinto beans, fresh and grilled onions, diced tomato, mayo, mustard and jalapeno sauce portioned in a just-right ratio to provide crunch and character. There are the delicately steamed, slightly sweet buns, which owner Daniel Contreras gets from his hometown of Magdalena, Mexico.

Our next Mexican restaurant is so great, there are three of them — but we’ll include the original restaurant location. El Güero Canelo has such excellent food they have received a James Beard Award — the height of recognition for culinary excellence!. They are best known for their Sonoran Style Hotdogs, which include a bacon-wrapped frank in a Mexican roll with tomatoes, onions, pinto beans, jalapeño sauce, and mayonnaise.

Guero” as we say in our family is always the first stop on the way home from the airport when my kids come home for a visit. (And most likely, the last stop we make on their way to catch their return flight.) But first, you have to know what sets a Sonoran dog apart from a regular hot dog other than it must be experienced to be believed. Done well, they are a masterpiece; heck, even done poorly, they are delicious.

El Guero Canelo (winner of the 2018 James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classic award) is responsible for taking an American tradition, the hotdog, and transforming it into something that is arguably even more delicious. The Sonoran dog is a hot dog wrapped in bacon and grilled, placed inside a slightly sweet bun with pinto beans, onions, tomato, salsa verde, mustard and mayonnaise. It’s quite a mouthful.

Of course, it’s all fun and games until someone — whether it’s a toddler or a teen — gets too tired or hungry. That’s when you head directly to El Güero Canelo to get some protein STAT before anyone melts down. The restaurant is especially known for its Sonoran dogs, which are hot dogs wrapped in bacon, topped with onion, tomato, mayo, mustard, jalapeño, and beans nestled into a soft bolillo roll.

Stop 4: El Guero Canelo: My belly might have started to feel full, but I couldn’t leave Tucson without trying the famous Sonoran hot dog. The hot dog is wrapped in bacon, grilled and served on a bolillo (Mexican rolls) bun and topped with beans, onion, tomato, mayo, mustard and jalapeño sauce. El Guero Canelo won an America’s Classic James Beard Award in 2018 for this uniquely Arizona concoction.

I was excited to finally try El Guero Canelo which in 2018 won the James Beard Foundation American Classic Award. It is known for its Senoran hot dog which involves wrapping hot dogs in bacon, stuffing them into Mexican bolillo rolls, and dousing them in beans, onions, mustard, jalapeño sauce and mayonnaise. I did it without the sauce and thought it was by far the best hot dog I have eaten!!.

If you’re only going to get one Sonoran hot dog in Tucson, this is the place to go. (C’mon! It won a James Beard Award!) The original location is a stand that has morphed to include indoor seating. Fame has brought crowds and a bit of glitz: the diners now receive pagers to alert them when their food is ready, and a video of the James Beard Awards plays on a loop in the dining area.

The OG of Tucson’s Sonoran hot dog scene, El Güero Canelo was first operated by owner Daniel Contreras as a simple stand starting in 1993. The James Beard Foundation award-winning eatery now has three brick-and-mortar locations plus a meat market. As an indelible part of Tucson’s Sonoran food history, it’s a must for anyone in search of Sonoran Hot Dogs.

Although they’re well known for their Sonoran style hot dogs, El Güero Canelo has some tasty and inexpensive tacos on their menu. If you’re looking for the cheapest on the menu, the beef or chicken taco is $2.75 and comes with cabbage. If you don’t mind the extra 25 cents then the other options they serve include the lorenza or the embarradas.

2480 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705 – (520)882-8977 – Website. El Guero Canelo on Oracle Road is a must-visit destination for anyone craving authentic Sonoran-style Mexican food in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1993 by Daniel Contreras, the restaurant has since become a local icon, beloved for its delicious food and welcoming atmosphere.

Owned by a Magdalena Sonora native, Daniel Contreras opened his first hot dog stand in Tucson in 1993. Since then, his love of food has expanded into multiple restaurants and Sonoran dog hotspot, El Guero Canelo. With locations in South and East Tucson, the North Tucson location by the Bronx Park neighborhood is always lively.

Earlier this year, the James Beard Foundation named El Güero Canelo an America's Classic, the organization's version of a Hall of Fame award for restaurants. The eatery is most famous for its Sonoran hot dogs, wrapped in bacon, covered in Mexican cream and pinto beans, and placed in a French roll. Gustavo Arellano hide caption

If you’re looking for affordable, yet authentic Mexican fare, El Guero Canelo is your best bet!. This charming restaurant serves some of the most mouthwatering Mexican dishes at budget-friendly prices!. Try their delicious carne asada or their famed Sonoran Hot Dogs, which are best paired with a helping of their Horchata.

You may not think of hot dogs as must-try dishes, but the iconic Sonoran dog is unlike any you’ve had before. Served in a slightly sweet Mexican bolillo roll, it comprises a bacon-wrapped wiener, pinto beans, onions, tomato, mustard, mayonnaise and jalapeno sauce. This unique—and tasty—recipe has garnered widespread fame.

We've rounded out the best toppings of the year, done blind taste tests, even created a whole national guide to regional hot dogs ... which includes the Sonoran dog and why we are gathered here today. Part dated diner façade, part Mexican flag, this spacious building on 12th Avenue doesn't look like much from the outside.

El Guero Canelo is a popular Mexican restaurant chain located in Tucson. It was founded in 1993 by Daniel Contreras, who immigrated to the United States from Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico. The restaurant specializes in serving Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine, including hot dogs, carne asada, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.

• El Güero Canelo: At the start of the pandemic, El Güero added a drive-thru to its location on 22nd Street, which had a steady stream of customers during my visit last night. It's also important to note, that Tucson's other Sonoran hot dog chain BK Carne Asada also has a drive-thru at its First Avenue location.

Rating: 4.2 Stars Price: $$ Neighborhood: Balboa Heights Description: Best known for their Sonoran-style hot dog, El Guero Canelo also serves a great salsa bar and traditional street tacos, among other entrees and dishes. Website: http://www.elguerocanelo.com/ Phone: (520) 882-8977 Address: 2480 N Oracle Rd

Mexican Sample fine Sonoran cuisine in a lively setting, complete with an open patio and live mariachi music on Sun. The menu features such classic favorites as quesadillas and carne asada, as well as more unusual flavors—including Sonoran hot dogs. Complete your meal with a serving of creamy flan.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (258 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, Mexican- Address: 5201 S 12th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706-2339- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like:Highest-rated ice cream shops in Tucson by diners

A unique twist on the typical Mexican cuisine, El Guero Canelo features a walk-up counter, simple menu, and an open seating dining room. The specialties are Mexican Hot Dogs and Carne Asada, made to order. You haven't experienced the southwest until you've had one of these authentic hot dogs.

If you’re in Tucson and craving some of the best Mexican food around, El Güero Canelo is a must-visit. This James Beard Award-winning spot may not scream “fancy,” but its laid-back vibe—complete with picnic tables and colorful papel picado—makes it even more charming. Their claim to fame?

El Guero Canelo delights its customers by putting a Mexican spin on an American classic. It serves three varieties of hot dogs: Sonoran style, sammy dog and chucho dog. The franks on the Sonoran and sammy are made of beef, pork and chicken, while the chucho’s franks are 100% beef.

Imagine getting a spur of the moment one fine day and ending up inside the walls of El Guero Canelo. That will probably be the best decision you’ve ever made. If you’re in the Tucson area, you shouldn’t pass up the chance to try this restaurant’s take on the famous dogs.

The El Guero Canelo food truck is the perfect place to satisfy your craving for this Tucson favorite. With their grilled hot dogs topped with beans, onions, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and mustard, you’ll experience the true flavors of Sonora right here in Tucson.

The short blurb on El Güero starts out with a dubious claim: "Walk into any restaurant in Arizona serving hot dogs and they will have a Sonoran-style hot dog on the menu," and then goes on to say El Güero's is the best.

Fast forward to today, and that humble hot dog stand has blossomed into a mini-empire, with three Tucson locations of El Güero Canelo offering both locals and visitors an authentic taste of Tucson and Sonora food culture.

Go on over to El Güero Canelo on 22nd St, and you’ll be in for a treat!. This place took those Sonoran-style hotdogs from street stands to the big leagues. They wrap them up with all the fixings you could dream of.

El Guero Canelo Daniel Contreras owns and operates threeEl Guero Canelo restaurants. Make sure to try their world famous Sonoran style hot dogs. El Guero Canelo appeared on Travel Channel's "Food Wars" in 2010.

The history of El Guero Canelo started with a single hot dog stand in Sonora. From that hot dog stand grew a passion for bringing great food to people everywhere. Now, they have a full restaurant in Arizona.

(520) 882-8977 With four locations to choose from El Guero Canelo offers quick bites and classic Mexican fare. Make sure to check out their daily specials, or download their app for quick and easy ordering.

Food that originates specifically from the Sonoran state of Mexico, which would be found in little independent food carts satisfying the local cravings. Restaurant authentic Sonoran mexican beer patio

For the city’s must-try Sonoran hot dogs — a bacon-wrapped confection topped with beans and salsa — visitors still head to BK Tacos or the James Beard Award-winning El Güero Canelo.

The best, in my book, is El Guero Canelo: El Guero Canelo - Tucson Authentic Mexican Restaurant - try the original location on S. 12th Ave for some real Tucson flair!

Oracle Road, (520) 882-8977This an authentic, traditional Mexican Food restaurant. No flair, but excellent, quality food. Famous for their Sonoran Hot Dogs.

We stopped there after a 3-day backpacking trip to Manning Camp when we were deliriously hungry after descending 4000 feet over about 10 miles in a day.

El Güero Canelo’s Sonoran hot dogs rose to national fame when the restaurant was honored by the James Beard Foundation.

Of course, we have to mention El Güero Canelo, which won a James Beard Award in 2018 for its famous Sonoran dogs.