El Güero Canelo

El Güero Canelo

El Güero Canelo is the home of the Sonoran hot dog, Tucson's signature street food: a bacon-wrapped dog tucked into a soft bolillo-style bun and piled with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and a line of sauces. Founder Daniel Contreras earned a James Beard America's Classics award for the local institution.

Order at the window, grab a seat, and load up at the salsa bar. Beyond the famous dogs, the caramelos and tortas are worth a look. The original location on South 12th Avenue is the classic pilgrimage, though there are a few spots around town.

It's casual, affordable, and quintessentially Tucson — a great low-key lunch between desert outings. From most rentals it's an easy drive, and the line moves fast even when it looks long.