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wow, why is it every time I come to this place, I think I can eat more than I can take in.. seriously.. what in the world is wrong with me.. I ordered two sonoran hot dogs with them wrapped with bacon with all the fixings and the works.. I ordered 3 el pastor tacos! I was dying when I walked away.. I couldnt keep myself from the tiolet all night long.. WHY DO PEOPLE kill their stomachs to enjoy some of the best tasting food in the world.. seriously, I think this place should be in Man Vs Food, I LOVE IT! While Im dying and having bad raptures of food in my stomach making me want to fall to the ground from eatting to much.. I DIDNT REGRET IT.. ill take the pain with pleasure.. knowing I had some of the best hotdogs and best food in the world.. I mean seriously, next time I know Im going to need a day and a half to recover from this place. :) I was walking to a hockey game in Tucson's entertainment's district. I hardly could walk, I had to lean on a fence every 100 steps.. My stomach was fighting against all odds and felt likea star wars fight in my body! But I still had a smile on my face!! :)
Needless to say with out getting to detailed, this place is great! Food is awesome, the place is very clean and perhaps one of the few places that has tamarindo drinks and etc.. This place is aways packed and its a great place for hotdogs.. Not your typical hotdogs though, i must warn you.. if you are used to mexican food or something from Texas.. Its not the same.. but has its own great Arizona-mexican flavor!
I have heard many good things about this place and made sure it was one of the spots I visited when… Read more »
Have you really experienced Arizona without a Sonoran Hotdog? The simple answer is no!
The Canelo has been voted time and time again to have the best Sonoran hotdogs by the Tucson Weekly's Best of Tucson.
This is a great stop for true Mexican food, not the stuff the guide books will tell you is Mexican.
I love the horchata and tocos, which are enhanced by the bar of peppers, carrots, and salsas. Additionally, this is a great place to get a coca-cola in a glass bottle... which is extremely refreshing on one of those too hot to sleep Tucson nights.
This is a great place to stop in for a quick cheap meal that is both delicious and truly Tucson.
El Guero Canelo is a great Mexican restaurant. Considering the price, the food is fantastic. My particular favorites are the quesadillas, hot dogs, and tacos. Although simplistic, the Large Quesadilla is great. Further, the beef taco -- which reminds of "King Taco" in Los Angeles -- is good. And although out of place (considering this is a Mexican restaurant), my favorite item is the "Sammy Dog" with everything on it. The Sammy Dog is a hot dog bun which consist of two franks and several toppings.
Further, there is a moderately sized salsa bar -- with cheese, cooked peppers, vegetables, and of course... salsa.
Nonetheless, prices are cheap -- as almost everything is below $10.
Also, expect a crowd.
I had never had a Sonoran dog so I nothing to compare it to.
I wish they had these things in Chicago.
There is not much to do in Tucson so make sure you go here.
The husband had the hotdog which he claims redeemed the place to some extent. For me though, they got my order wrong and it wasnt good anyway. It was basically exactly the same as every other drive mexican joint (think Nicos, Betos etc) with much higher prices. Although it is remarkably cleaner than most, thus the two stars rather than one.
Also my cheese seemed to be mozzarella. that was weird.
I discovered Guero Canelo a couple of years ago. I can only think of good things to say about the place.
The service is consistantly the friendliest I've seen anywhere in Tucson for a business of it's size.
The atmosphere is perfect, no pretense. If I place an order to go, I'm usually in and out in less than five minutes.
Fresh roasted jalapenos and wax peppers mean a lot to me. Huge condiment bar with chiles, roasted onions, picked onions, radishes, creamy guac, and one of the best green salsas I've had in town. Could be spicer, but the flavor is excellent.
Bean, cheese, and cabbage burrito is $3.24. The best bean burrito I've had, anywhere. Add the condiments, tip the employees, and you've got the best bargain in Tucson.
Honestly, doesn't live up to the hype. I think it was overpriced. Pretty pathetic menu, and confusing at best. I say go only for the hot dogs. One highlight: very clean.
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Not that great - there are a number of trucks around town that serve up better carne asada and sonoran dogs. The dog was really quite a disappointment - I've had such good ones in the past from places like the truck at the corner of Park and 36th.
I had also heard such good things about the salsa bar, but there wasn't really much in there. On the plus side, the flan was pretty good.
For street food, the taco trucks are generally quite a bit better, as are the BK restaurants.
Not really my kind of food. I thought the hot dog would be more sensational, but it's really just a skinny little not very good hot dog smothered with a lot of stuff including a bready roll and a lot of beans and i don't like beans.
The flan, however, was delicious - but kind of steep @ $3.50 for a little piece.
WOW! Yum Yum Yum
Not much to say that hasn't been said before. Burros are good, I like mine with beans , carne asada and cabbage. No cheese for me. I love their salsa bar and I love the fact that no matter how busy they are, they always keep it clean and well stocked. I'm not a fan of the grilled onions but it is nice for those people that like them, the cucumbers +lime+salt=deliciousness.
Hot dogs are also very yummy, I like the assortment of mexican sodas.
The only two things that disappoint are their chicken, it's gross, and they traded the good mexican grapefruit soda for some barrilitos crap.
Living in the east coast my whole life, I have been deprived of anything that is close to authentic Mexican food. Since I am not an expert on the cuisine, I can't compare the food here to food elsewhere. However, I can tell you that I have been dreaming of this place ever since I left it. I had the carmellos(?), tacos, sonoran hot dog and a coke. This is now in my top five of all time. I had some good food on my trip, but I should have only eaten here.
This place is the shit. If you know of better carne asada, please tell me where asap! That's all I really need to say, but I'll add that the Sonoran hotdogs are oso good!
I am not from around these parts -- but Mexican is Mexican in my Dic-shun-ario and El Guero Canelo is as Mexican as they come. NOW, they are famous for their bacon wrapped fully loaded hot dogs.
I did not try the Hot Dags, but did get my carne asada tacos on...which were pretty good. Not the best carne asada I've had in my life, but decent by Tucson standards. And where does one get real carne asada in Tucson? Mexico. It's a hop skip and a jump away!
The entire set up is outdoors. Make-shift ceiling; what is that, cardboard boxes? Fans are stationed in every corner to either 1.) keep you cool in the Arizona heat or 2.) keep the flies away. You will also find a boom box blasting some of today's Banda hits!
The seating area is made up of benches and tables. You don't have a waiter, per say, but you will find that El Guero Canelo's staff is always on the look out.
My favorite part of this place is the salsa cart. Loads of salsa; green, red, pico de gallo; lime; pickled jalapenos, carrots and radishes; fresh crisp CUCUMBERS!!!; cebollitas asadas; jalapenos asados. This place knows what I like...They also have a fantastic agua de tamarindo w/ FREE REFILLS!
I also had the privilege of meeting El Guero Canelo himself. He's not guero, but more reddish. A Ginger if you will. Nice guy and had no clue that his restaurant is ranked one of Tucson's popular Mexican hot spots.
"Yep? Yep?"
No, dude. YELP.
"Oh. Yep."
Ah . . . I was so enchanted when I read about this place--I had to make the journey. Spotting the place is exciting. It looks like what an eating establishment would be like if it were a piñata.
Order at the stand and if you get a Sonoran Hot Dog--you pick it up at the spaceship looking station. Tacos at the little taco truck. I had the famous Hot dog and a carne asada taco.
The hot dog was good. I was expecting more wow, but it's definitely different and definitely an original. I don't know that I would be craving these guys too often if I lived around here though.
The carne asada taco is decent and they garnish it with cabbage. Overall--El Güero offers a quaint meal that can be enjoyed in the picnic table area that kind of resembles an outdoor fruit market. A variety of Agua Frescas sweetens the meal.
If you are looking for local flavor--El Güero has got a good dose!
I remember the first time i went to this restaurant I had the hot dog which is rapped in bacon.yum this place has good traditional Mexican food.and is priced very affordable. I use to drive over 30 min just for this hot dog
During my week in Tucson, this was probably the only meal I enjoyed. The sonoran hot dog was pretty awesome. This was my first experience with one, so I can not compare. I dug to atmosphere with the picnic tables and open seating area. When it was so hot out, i enjoyed just hanging out by the fans, eating my hot dog and drinking some soda.
The owner is a total bad ass. After being accused of Drug Trafficking(wrongfully), did he change his beat. Hell no, He still frequents his own restaurants around the city, just you know, checking up on business, and he is a totally a Mexican Horatio Alger, but way more legit.
The food is great, the bottled mexican fanta is to die for. This place helps define what 12th Ave Culture is all about.
I wish they had more sour-cream and alvacados in the buffet bins.
I think this is as authentic as it gets. Although there seems to be only outside seating, they constantly keep it clean and there's mist all around. I also love how they have the biggest salsa bar ever.
Tried the hot dog--yummy! I wished I tried their tacos, because so far I'm very disappointed with Arizona's taco offerings.
Sorry to kill the Sonoran Hot Dog party, but I OBJECT ! I thought I was eating condiments and toppings when I ordered the hot dog decked with tomatoes, jalapenos, shredded cheese, salsa, pinto beans, ketchup, mustard and a staggering amount of mayonnaise zig-zagging its way across the hot dog like it was nobody's business.
A small unpretentious out-of-the-way place is probably the understatement of the century. I admit that I fell for the shack and dumpster appeal but I expected the food to be at par with all the raving reviews.
This place is my most favorite place to get carne asada burritos and sonoran hotdogs. I first came here after the football game against ASU and boy was it crowded! The wait wasn't too long to get the food, and there is a salsa bar there and i always get the grilled onions, as they go great with the burritos. If I had to pick between this place, Los Beto's and Nico's for late night meals while studying for a midterm, I would pick this place. If only it was open past midnight.
Been there once and never went back, maybe it was the colors? the parking? service?
Anyway, late night after a gig, BK for me and my friends.
El Guero Canelo = The grandest roadside stand I have ever witnessed.
i was excited to visit El Guero Canelo, being the top rated Yelp joint in all of Tucson. My expectations were high, and my hunger for menudo and Sonoran dogs even higher. I didn't really comprehend the roadside stand nature of the place until I missed the place. I was looking for a restaurant, but found a barely visible shack of a building obscured by roll around carts abandoned by some restaurant supply store (see photo).
The place is basically a brick shack for ordering and getting your drinks, flanked by a hot dog cart and a taco cart. Benches with tables are mounted to the ground behind, all covered by a tin roof and closed off by plastic windows and tin walls. My parents were a bit afraid of the cars pulling in to park, should they overrun the space by a few feet, we would have been very "tired" (or "exhausted" if they backed in).
The menudo was fantastic. A huge bowl can be had for $5.50 and it comes with 4 pieces of toasted/buttered hot dog bun. The sonoran hot dog was nice. It didn't blow me away but it was a nice way to have a hot dog, especially for a neophyte like me. The carne asada was tasty and tender enough. I had a Torta and enjoyed it. All the breads used here are extemely soft and fresh. I wonder if they bake it themselves?
The fixin's are abundant in the center island. I saw people walking away with plates piled high with lime slices. There is also a nice station with grilled onions and jalapenos. The jalapenos are quite the mexican roulette, cuz you might get a mild one or el scorcho.
The gals taking orders are friendly and greet you with a warm smile. The manager was great at roaming around and making sure we had what we needed.
I really really dig dive joints like this, and I will be back every time I visit the Old Pueblo.
Dear Yelp,
Thank you. The night before flying out of Tucson, you saved me from a paralyzing selection of Wendy's, Denny's, Arby's or Burger King, and in the meanwhile introduced me to a Mexican joint I could visit again, and again, and again. I was trying to figure out how I could get the leftovers through security and on the plane with me to Portland.
I was expecting spicy shredded beef in my beef taco, but NO! It was like a fancy steak dinner for only $1.50! The only other steak dinner I've heard about with such a good price is served with a side of strippers. And my bean and cheese burrito was exactly what I wanted. Quality tortillas, tasty jack cheese. Way bigger than my stomach. Optional extensive salsa bar on the side. So good.
Anyway, Yelp, I just wanted to tell you how much you've come to be a really essential part of my travel plans, and how wonderfully you came through for me this week.
XXs & OOs,
Katrina
P.S. Just a general note, in case anyone's listening? The fact that I'm at an airport hotel doesn't mean I couldn't use a decent meal. Is it possible that a yummy, un-chained restaurant wouldn't be able to make it out by an airport? It's not that far. It's really not.
Good Sonoran hot dogs but I was bummed they didn't add a grilled yellow chile like most other places do.
Those really make the hot dog imo.
While in Tucson I Yelp'ed to find a highly recommended Mexican restaurant and El Guero Canelo came HIGHLY recommended. The outside appearance of the restaurant looked so delapidated we purposely drove past and pulled over in a strip mall to work on a Plan B. The appearance of the building left alot to be desired and we couldn't imagine a meal that we would want to eat being prepared at a "dive" like this. Well neither of us were willing to let our Plan A slip by so fast so we doubled back to what looked even more like a "dive" up close. Upon entrance we noticed there were three sections to the restaurant. 1. A window where orders are placed. 2. A condiment bar stocked with veggies, peppers, and various other condiments. 3. A covered outside eating area (ONLY) filled with picnic-type benches. The setup is very efficient....order, eat, leave! Works for us because aesthetics aside, the food was absolutely delicious. We both ordered "medium" size carne asada burritos which were more than enough for an afternoon meal. based on the size, the large must be a two person meal! While there we overheard that the sonoran hot dog is their "signature" dish so greedy me went back to the window to place another order. Meeeeh it was okay but not a specific item I would return for.
Just tasted probably the best hotdog that I've ever had. The bun was so soft and seemed to make the hotdog. I didn't really taste the bacon, but the hotdog was tasty and the condiments were awesome!
They have the best hot dog ever! If there is one thing people should try at this place it's their Sonoran Hot Dog. I don't really care for hot dogs, but I get cravings for this thing it is sensational!
Before they opened their doors as a full fledged restaurant, this was the place to go to after clubbing.
If only the seats were comfortable. The atmosphere reminds me of Costco. It has that very cafeteria-like vibe with the steel table tops and wooden bleacher benches. The whole place is wide open with flat screens on two corners for your viewing pleasure. Although I doubt you will be watching TV when you bite into the food.
The flan is pretty darn good. Not the best, but I know where to go to for a decent serving of the stuff.
Pros:
Excellent Mexican Fast food
Best Hot Dogs
Nice Variety of Mexican Drinks, they even have Mexican Coca-cola
Fairly inexpensive
Fairly clean
Fast service
Tons of fresh condiments
Cons:
Uncomfortable seating. Come on I want to eat comfortably without having my butt hurt.
Carne asada tacos, and sonoran hot dogs. That's all that really needs to be said. I am so glad they finally opened a location closer to campus, so I don't have to get lost driving to south Tucson. I love the variety of salsas, and roasted peppers they include in the buffet of condiments.
I loved this place!!! The hotdogs (I am from East coast, and this is my first Mexican Hotdog) are interesting yet very enjoyable. The Carne Asada was good but not amazing. The flan, man that was hands down the best flan I have ever had! This place has a great, almost, middle of a small town in a central american country feel to it.
Well I haven't yelp'ed here a a couple weeks so I feel now is better late than never....
Holy Crap.....
That's right, Holy Crap.
Apparently El Guero Canelo translated to English means "Awesome".
The Dog's are the shiz!! Get one or 2 or 3 (depending how skinny you feel during the day) sit back, and prepare for one of the most desirable cheap treats in the southwest.
The Hood's perfect for this place....run down and sorta shady but that makes it half the fun!
Highly Recommended for everyone! ..... Now if they could just bring a Pink's out here we'd really have it good.
My brother took me here when I visited family in Tucson last week.
This food here - outstanding. He told me to order the Carne Asada burrito - medium, with everything. We also each ordered Sonoran-style hot dogs.
The dog - a beef hot dog, wrapped in bacon and stuffed in a soft, un-split bun, topped with pinto beans and a jalapeno sauce.
The burrito - a huge (medium???) handmade tortilla stuffed with tons of well-seasoned tender steak, rice and more steak.
The condiment bar with everything from awesome home-made pico to radishes and cucumbers was great.
I will be back
I would honestly give this place six stars if I could. I live in Austin and miss food like this! I cannot get enough of the Sonora style carne asada. I have to say, the hot dogs are just the most perfect, to-die for meals I have ever had in my life.
This place is always consistent with quality and service. I have never, ever walked away hungry or regretted my decision to divulge in this amazing cuisine! Viva El Guero Canelo!
This place is the best place for real fresh mexican food that is quick, cheap, made to order and tasty! The carne asada burritos are soo good. The carne is tender is juicy the tortilla is freshly made. And the best part, which some people don't like, is the burrito come bare, just meat inside.. Which means you get to take advantage of the salsa/topping bar. Freshly grilled green onions, cucumbers, lettuce, cabbage, a huge variety of salsa, that you can add as much as you like into your burrito.. The only thing missing is cheese, but you can ask for a side, but honestly it tastes amazing without cheese..
The owner is awesome he remembers us by name every time we go, and you can always see him walking around the restaurant greeting the guest and making sure they got what they wanted. I love it and wish he would open one in Phoenix
What I ordered: Sonoran Hot Dog and Carne Asada Torta.
You can never go wrong with a sonoran hot dog, if you never had one you need to eat one...unless you are on the brink of a heart attack cause that will push you over the top. All places i have been only put one hot dog into the Sonoran but they have an option for two, that is what i am a fan of here. Their torta met my expectations, wasn't anything fantastic. I love tortas so i always want one that will blow me away.
I love their salsa bar, not only salsa but they have grilled green onions and many other grilled veggies and the normal salsa bar condiments. This is the best salsa bar i have ever seen. You can probably have a meal out of what's on the salsa bar (a veggie meal).
I dont think they are open late but if they were i'd go there to fulfill my munchy needs.
ahhhh good place to get something quick and tasty!!!
Came here with my friend Zeshan and got one sonoran hotdog, one beef taco, one caramel flan, and 2 horchatas that was for me ^_^
My friend got 1 beef quesadilla...
They have a great salsa bar... and the food was very good and tasty...even though the food size is smaller than what I expected it to be... ^_^
Will go again to try other stuff!
Oh my gosh you want a good mexican hot dog dont miss this place. It was the best sonoran hot dog I have had outside of mexico. I tried the breakfst burritos also and that was very tasty. The palce has a good clean feel to it, don't go by the looks. It wasn't that busy so the food came quickly. I was that I live closer to Tuscon. i want one right now.
Great place to go to grab a quick good lunch. Sonoran Hot Dogs are great. Love the salsa bar! Good carne asada. Also it's always fun to have a bottle coke.
Great Sonoran Hot Dogs!
Their Mexican hot dogs (Sonoran Style) are to die for. PERIOD.
You can't go wrong with a hot dog wrapped in bacon, then placed comfortably in a sweet bun topped off with tomatoes, onions, mustard, mayo, beans (if you want) and then placed next to a hot hot hot chili. I'm not a fan of beans so I don't get it with beans. I don't like fresh onions on mine so I always ask for cooked onions, but other then that, they're soo...soo...soooooo worth every penny of the $2.25 you pay to get one. YUM.
I can eat two in one sitting. I've tried three but I just felt mildly sick afterwards. Don't over do it -- you'll have a slight urge to since it's damn good but fight that urge! The hot dogs will always be there, but your health might not be at it's prime state if you inhale 3+ for a meal.
(Photo uploaded)
Tucson, AZ
Category: Latin American
Tucson, AZ
Category: Mexican
Tucson, AZ
Category: Mexican
Tucson, AZ
Category: Diners
Tucson, AZ
Category: Restaurants
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