Posted in Arizona May 16, 2020 by

The Iconic Arizona Sonoran Dog Didn’t Even Exist Until The Late 1980s

As the unofficial food of Arizona, Sonoran dogs have been around forever… or have they? Believe it or not, this iconic dish beloved to most Phoenix and Tucson residents wasn’t invented until the late 1980s. Keep reading to find out where it all started!

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You'll find different styles of hot dogs all over the country, from chili cheese Coneys in Detroit to the iconic tomato, pickle, hot pepper, sweet onion, and relish concoction loved by Chicagoans.
Flickr/Marco Verch
Arizona has its very own hot dog, and in our humble opinion, it's the most unique and delicious of all.
Sonoran dogs, a Southern Arizona staple, originated in the Mexican city of Hermosillo in the late 1980s.
Flickr/pmoroni
Nobody knows exactly who invented the dish, but they were on to something, as it soon spread like wildfire across the border. It's estimated that over 200 places in Tucson alone offer Sonoran dogs, with Phoenix boasting even more.
To make a Sonoran dog, you start by wrapping a hot dog in bacon and grilling it.
TripAdvisor/CMPTexas
Next, you stuff it inside a bolillo bun and top the whole thing with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and a variety of additional condiments, often including mayonnaise, mustard, and jalapeño salsa. Yum!
Traditionally, Sonoran dogs were sold by vendors known as "dogueros" at street carts.
Google/Nancy Mills
You can still find them all over the state, however many brick-and-mortar restaurants also serve the delicacy.
Nogales Hot Dogs is one of the most popular places in Phoenix for Sonoran dogs.
Facebook/Nogales Hot Dogs No2
Even a batch of this size is likely to sell out in no time!
Tucson residents love El Güero Canelo, BK Tacos, Aqui Con El Nene, and El Sinaloense, among a few other spots, when the Sonoran dog craving hits.
TripAdvisor/shankwheat
Each restaurant does it a little differently, but such is the beauty of individuality.
People who hail from Phoenix get their fix at Micky's, Moreno's Mexican Kitchen, and La Frontera, as well as the aforementioned Nogales.
Facebook/Nogales Hot Dogs No2

What’s your favorite place to get a Sonoran dog in Arizona? Let us know, and check out our previous article for some of our top picks: These 8 Places Serve The Best Sonoran Dogs In Arizona. Please note: some restaurants may be closed or only offering takeout and delivery, so be sure to contact the establishment to learn more.

Are there any restaurants, businesses, or other attractions in Arizona you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!

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