Sonoran Hot Dogs | Where to Find Them in Tucson

The mouthwatering Sonoran hot dog is a longstanding Tucson staple celebrated across the Old Pueblo. You may have feasted on Chicago, New York, or even Tokyo dogs, but nothing holds a candle to the king of all dogs, the Sonoran dog. We’ll warn you now — once you have one, it’s a struggle not to order another immediately.

What Is on a Sonoran Hot Dog?

A Sonoran hot dog recipe is like no other. It starts with an all-beef hot dog wrapped in bacon. The dog is grilled to perfection, leaving the bacon with that irresistible crispiness. (Sounds good enough to end there, right? Well, it gets even better!) Next, the bacon-wrapped dog enters a warm bolillo, a soft, delicious Mexican-style bun. Then come the toppings — chopped tomatoes, griddled onions, pinto beans, mayo, yellow mustard, and jalapeño salsa. A grilled yellow chili pepper comes on the side for an extra kick.

person holding a takeout container with a sonoran dog and peppers

Sonoran Hot Dog History

There is some debate as to the origins of the Sonoran dog. One theory is that it came onto the scene in the 1940s, sold at baseball games in the state of Sonora, Mexico. Others claim it made its way to Sonora by way of a traveling circus.

We do know that the Sonoran dog became popular in Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora, in the 1980s. During this time, students at the University of Sonora couldn’t get enough of the tasty dogs sold by vendor carts all over campus. It wasn’t long before the savory creation made its way across the border and into Tucson, where it quickly became a hit in restaurants and as a go-to street food.