Best places for hot dogs in Arizona, including award-winning Sonoran dogs
Every dog has its day. Whether you prefer a Sonoran, Chicago-style or build-your-own masterpiece, you won’t be disappointed when traveling across Arizona.
While the Phoenix area is blessed with an abundance of great options for the humble frankfurter, there’s something about wolfing down a delicious hot dog on a road trip that says, “Yeah. Now it feels like summer.”
Tucson, Phoenix: El Guero Canelo
The Sonoran hot dog is the saguaro cactus of wieners, an Arizona icon. While the messy concoction originated in Hermosillo, Sonora, it took root on this side of the border in Tucson.
One of the men responsible for the widespread popularity of the Sonoran dog is Daniel Contreras, who started El Guero Canelo in 1993. What began as a food cart has grown into multiple restaurants and a coveted James Beard Award.
The Sonoran is a special kind of treat, a dog swaddled in bacon and grilled, fusing the meats into a smoky flavor bomb. It is then tucked into a soft boat of dough called a bolillo, fluffier than traditional buns. Keeping the dog company are whole pinto beans, diced tomatoes, grilled and fresh onions, mustard, mayo and jalapeño sauce.
Plenty of other items are on the menu but how can you walk in and not order the Sonoran? Treat yourself to the Sammy, which throws an extra dog into the mix. You can visit El Guero Canelo in Phoenix at 5131 W. McDowell Road, but consider making a pilgrimage to the original location in Tucson.
Details: 5201 S. 12th Ave. 520-295-9005, www.elguerocanelo.com.
Tucson: BK Tacos
Right across the street from the original El Guero Canelo in Tucson is the other Sonoran dog legend in town, BK Tacos. This is the epicenter of the Sonoran dog revolution, where the two heavyweights first squared off.
BK has a devoted following of fans who swear these are the primo Sonorans. BK is also known for its savory carne asada. It’s hard to imagine a better excuse for a road trip. Go sample dogs from each establishment and decide for yourself which is better.
Details: 5118 S. 12th Ave. 520-295-0105, www.bktacos.com.
Bisbee: Jimmy's Hot Dog Company
This neighborhood eatery started as a humble hot dog stand more than a decade ago, and the menu has expanded since. But make no mistake, the dogs are still superb.
The signature is the classic Chicago dog. Start with the Cadillac of tube steak, Vienna all-beef hot dogs in natural casings. The casing gives it that satisfying snap, releasing juices and flavor at every bite.
The dog nestles on a poppy seed bun from S. Rosen's, a Chi-town institution. Ingredients are piled on in precise order: mustard, neon-green relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, two sport peppers and a dash of celery salt. The result is a riot in your mouth, a joyous collision of flavors.
The Maxwell Street Polish is another Chicago tradition, a foot-long served on a Philly roll with grilled onions, deli mustard, pickle and sport peppers. Jimmy’s serves a full slate of dogs and sandwiches including brats, grinders, meatball subs and the SeaDog, wild-caught cod in crispy beer batter. Sandwiches come with fresh-made fries bursting with a salty zing of real potato flavor.
Details: 938 W. State Route 92. 520-432-5911, www.jimmysbisbee.com.
Village of Oak Creek: Walter’s Ice Cream and Hot Dogs
You’ll find this little gem south of Sedona, tucked amid the shops just down the street from Bell Rock.
Walter may not be the owner but he is definitely the boss. The shop is named for the owners’ mini-dachshund, and one wall is covered with an image of Walter surrounded by photos of the many four-legged pals he’s made. Along with the three inside tables, there’s a pooch-friendly patio.
The Bull Dog puts a Southwestern spin on an old favorite: It's topped with homemade chili, cheese, onions and jalapeños. The German Dog comes with sauerkraut, onion, dill relish and brown mustard on a pretzel bun. The most popular is the Walter dog, done Chicago-style.
If you want to build your own, you’ll have more than a dozen choices of toppings and condiments to choose from. Go spicy if you want. They dish up sundaes, shakes, floats and cones of Thrifty ice cream to cool things down.
Details: 6586 State Route 179. 928-284-2977, www.waltersicecreamandhotdogs.com.
Benson: Wild Dogs
Wild Dogs is a great stop if you’re on your way to Tombstone, Kartchner Caverns or, even better, the wineries of Willcox. Vino and Vienna all-beef make a perfect pairing. Don’t be fooled by the modest exterior — it has plenty of roadside charm. Order at the counter and they’ll bring the food out.
The menu ranges far and wide and they’re not afraid to tinker. The popular Arizona Dog is topped with pastrami, chili made in house and mustard. If you’re lactose intolerant, better steer clear of the Green Chili Cheesedog, which is buried in a cascade of nacho cheese, plus pepper jack and green chili with onions. The Slaw Dog is piled with house-made coleslaw, pickle spears and mustard.
Diners have more than a dozen types of dogs to choose from, along with burgers, chicken and other sandwiches. Don’t be surprised if the owner brings around a complementary pudding to finish off your meal on a sweet note.
Details: 705 W. Fourth St. 530-388-8307.
Flagstaff: Route 66 Dog Haus
Not many hot dog stands open at 6:30 in the morning. But not many are as revered for their breakfast burritos as for their franks, the way the Dog Haus is.
Customers can walk up and order at the window or use the tunnel-like drive-through in the middle of the big A-frame structure that began life as Der Wienerschnitzel in 1966. Four shaded picnic tables are available if you want to eat on the spot.
The chili cheese dog remains the most popular, but don’t be afraid to branch out. The hickory bacon dog is slathered with hickory barbecue sauce, topped with cheese and snuggled up against a thick strip of bacon. They serve burgers and sandwiches as well. And those breakfast burritos? They're stuffed with eggs, cheddar cheese and bacon, sausage or both and are big enough to keep you full till dinner, when it's hot dog time.
An interesting side note: This is actually the spot that inspired Jackson Browne to begin writing the song “Take it Easy.” But he decided “standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona,” sounded better than Flagstaff.
Details: 1302 E. Route 66. 928-774-3211.
More:Arizona's Route 66: Favorite spots, hidden gems
Sedona: Black Cow Café
The Black Cow specializes in homemade ice cream and other sweet treats like pie, cookies and brownies. It also serves the self-proclaimed World’s Best Hot Dog.
Modesty may not be on the menu, but there’s no denying this is a surprisingly elegant concoction. Instead of using a traditional bun, they hollow out a slim French baguette and drop in a steamed jumbo dog along with mustard, ketchup and relish. It’s a good mix of smoky and sweet and the baguette adds a nice light crunch.
Here’s a tip: The WBHD is served with about an inch of frank protruding but go ahead and poke it back in. Otherwise, you run out of meat at the other end and are left holding a bread bowl full of condiments. With the baguette closed at one end, this makes for a tidy walking-around dog if you want to continue window-shopping through Uptown Sedona.
Details: 229 N. State Route 89A. 928-203-9868.
More:Sedona hotels from budget-friendly to splurge-worthy
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