If you haven't tried a Sonora-style hot dog from one of the trucks you see dotted around the Valley, you are missing out. The main ingredient that separates Sonoran dogs from American is bacon. It is now illegal to wrap the hot dog in raw bacon and then cook it to order, so most stands cook the bacon ahead of time and place it on top. Ask for the dogs "con todo" (with everything), and never go back to mustard alone. Sonora dogs usually have common ingredients—pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, crema (mayonnaise-based sauce), cheese and some type of hot sauce. Bring cash, and look for the stands to open after 5pm. Disfrute!
Nogales Hot Dogs
20th Street and Indian School Road, Phoenix
35th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix
20th Street and Bell Road, Phoenix
The granddaddy of Mexican hot dog stands, Nogales sets up shop at three locations most nights. Look for the white van, and either pull up alongside the stand (curbside service!) and place your order, or have a seat at one of the picnic tables. To the already full-to-bursting buns, add your own fixings with canned mushrooms, pickled jalapenos, avocado-based sauce and cheese.
El Caprichoso
19th Avenue between Dunlap and Peoria, Phoenix
There are some really delicious dogs here with a nicely charred pepper on the side. For a couple of extra bucks, grab some fresh corn on the cob, Mexican style. As if one needs more artery clogging ingredients other than a hot dog with bacon, the corn is served with cheese, mayonnaise and lime juice. Add hot sauce and dive in.
Micky's
108 West Broadway, Mesa
Hidden in an industrial section of town, Micky's serves some good dogs. One of the great things about most of these stands is the soda selection, and Micky's is no exception. Grabbing an ice-cold bottle of Mexican Coca-Cola (glass bottles! no high-fructose corn syrup!) to wash down your hot dog is a little slice of Mexico right here in Arizona.
La Frontera
16th Street between Van Buren and Roosevelt, Phoenix
This spot has a truck for surf (oysters on the half shell, ceviche) and a truck for turf (tacos and tortas). For unknown reasons, you'll find the hot dogs at the surf truck. The buns here are served deliciously toasted, and are an extra bargain since they are served with a bag of chips. You don't get to choose between Lay's or Doritos, so just roll with it.
Moreno's
760 East Broadway, Mesa
Moreno's is a bona fide restaurant, but it has a cart permanently parked out front strictly for dogs. Order up a couple and then grab a seat at an inside table, and load up on the fixings from the salsa bar. Radishes with lime juice as a side dish — excellent!
Chamin's Hot Dogs
Arizona Avenue between Boston and Frye, Chandler
This unassuming cart is parked in a spot with little room for much else. No seating here, so grab a few dogs to go, and enjoy them at home. Chamin's serves its hot dogs with a melty cheese sauce and some really good, slow-cooked onions.
El Sabroso Hot Dogs
Thomas Road just west of 27th Avenue, Phoenix
As you watch a telenovela on the TV, grab a hot dog and a cup of cocktel de elote—a cup of corn heaven. Again, we probably don't need the calories, but this "soup," full of fresh corn kernels, butter, cheese and lime juice, is a welcome accompaniment to the flavorful dogs.
Pichos Birreria
5436 South Central Avenue, Phoenix
This place is hopping on the weekends, and we can see why. Delicious, buttery-soft buns make these hot dogs melt-in-your-mouth good. Pichos is a fun people-watching spot, where people of all ages come for the tasty goods.
