How did the Sonoran hot dog become an Arizona staple? We have baseball to thank for it
You’ve definitely heard of tacos and carne asada, but have you heard of Arizona’s most popular fusion of Mexican and American food? The iconic Sonoran hot dog has become a popular street-food item and can be found at food stands, food trucks and restaurants anywhere in the Valley.
The significance this Sonoran dog has in Arizona reflects the state's cultural ties with Mexico and has cemented itself as a cherished local tradition, thriving within the state's culinary landscape and serving as a symbol of culinary diversity and cultural exchange.
But who brought the Sonoran dog to the States? How did it become so popular across the border?
Here is your guide to the history of the Sonoran hot dog — and where to find one in Arizona.
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What is a Sonoran hot dog?
A Sonoran hot dog, also known as a Sonoran dog, is a regional specialty and a type of hot dog that originated in the Sonora region of northern Mexico, specifically in the city of Hermosillo.
The use of a bacon-wrapped hot dog, slightly sweet pillowy bread and the vast variety of toppings, such as diced tomatoes, crema, beans, jalape?o peppers and cheese, makes them so unique from the standard hot dogs most are used to.
“I guess since Sonora and Arizona, we share a border, there's a lot of activity. I’ll say it's like a sister state. It’s so common to see people going back and forth and there's a lot of Sonorans living in Arizona. And so the food and culture has always been easily accessible,” said Erika Gerardo, owner of Hot Dogs La Yaquesita.
Today you’ll be able to eat a Sonoran dog anywhere you go in the Valley, from a food truck to a walk-in restaurant.
Who invented the Sonoran hot dog?
Sonoran hot dogs have a rich history rooted in cultural exchange and adaptation. They started as an American import through baseball but evolved into a unique dish in both Sonora, Mexico, and Arizona, representing the power of food to bridge cultural gaps and create something delicious and distinctive.
There aren’t records of just one person inventing the dish, but In the 1970s, Sonoran hot dogs gained popularity as a late-night snack for students at the University of Sonora in Mexico.
“At that time, the United States and Mexico, in the northern region, one of those things that was shared early on with incredible passion was baseball. And it is as it is through baseball, and through sports and through what we call ballpark food that the hot dog makes its appearance,” said Maribel Alvarez, professor at the University of Arizona School of Anthropology.
According to Alvarez, numerous food vendors emerged around university campuses for students wanting to enjoy late-night snacks, particularly after weekend parties.
"That is when you see the first big wave that then becomes recognizable as the Sonoran hot dog,” said Alvarez. “It's not until another decade, by the 1980s, when you see in Tucson the creation of the Sonoran hot dog stand by the guy today that owns four or five restaurants called El Güero Canelo.”
Locals recognize El Güero Canelo as the restaurant who brought popularity to the Sonoran hot dog.
The face and owner of the local franchise, Daniel Contreras, said the reason why he started El Güero Canelo was because from 1979 to 1993 he couldn't find the flavor he was seeking in Arizona.
“Well the Sonoran hot dog is very simple, it's a small-town recipe. Anyone can make them. For me the hot dog signifies a whole dinner in a bun,” said Contreras.
Today you can find over 50 different locations across Arizona where people make their own version of the Sonoran dog. Whether they make it the traditional way or put their own twist like Gerardo, who makes the Cheeto dog, Hawaiian dog and even a keto dog at La Yaquesita.
“Each one of us has our own, I would say like a little spice to it. I love to see people when they decide that they want to introduce the hog dogs because each one of us is a little bit different and I think it's great. I mean, having the experience of not seeing the regular all the time does not matter where you go it would be boring,” said Gerardo.
Why is the Sonoran hot dog popular?
Sonoran hot dogs are known for their delicious combination of flavors, mixing the smokiness of the bacon with the creaminess of the beans and crema, the crunch of the onions, and the slight sweetness of the bread.
“Well, first of all, they taste really good. It's not just your flaky hotdog bread that you buy at the supermarket, you know, mass-produced. These are fluffy, delicious, kind of almost sweet, a little bit of a tinge of sweetness, where you sort of completely engulf the hot dog,” said Alvarez.
The popularity of the Sonoran hot dog has also made it a culinary attraction for tourists. Visitors often seek out local food experiences in Arizona, and the Sonoran hot dog has become a must-try item on many food enthusiasts' lists.
The key to a Sonoran dog is a the bun Here's how to make them
Significance of the Sonoran hot dog
Over the years, the Sonoran hot dog has become a beloved local tradition in Arizona, especially in cities like Tucson and Phoenix. It has become a symbol of Arizona's diverse culinary landscape and its ability to embrace and celebrate different cultural influences.
These hot dogs have become a symbol of culinary fusion and cultural exchange, highlighting the influence of Mexican cuisine on American food culture, particularly in the border regions.
“And then now, of course, it eventually makes its way to Los Angeles where you already had other innovations happening with hot dogs. I hear that there's are Sonoran hot dog food truck in Austin, Texas. Now it's just is all over,” said Alvarez.
Where to get Sonoran hot dogs in Phoenix
Hot Dogs La Yaquesita: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursday; 6 p.m.-11:59 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Sunday; Closed on Monday. 11498 W. Buckeye Road, Avondale. 602-500-6634, hot-dogs-la-yaquesita.business.site.
Sonora Querida Hot Dogs: 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursday; 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Sunday; Closed on Monday. On the corner of Southern and 39th Avenue.
El Caprichoso Sonoran Hotdogs: 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Tuesdays-Thursday; 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday; Closed on Monday. 2826 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix. 602-561-3723, instagram.com/elcaprichoso_hotdogs.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's the history of the Sonoran hot dog. And no, it's not from LA.