Sonoran Hot Dogs (Photo courtesy of La Carreta Del Rorro)

#WeeklyDish (No. 17): Chorizo Sonoran Hot Dog at La Carreta del Rorro (VIDEO)


July 6, 2017
a man wearing a hat
By Jackie Tran
By Jackie Tran

While El GĂĽero Canelo and BK Tacos are eternal rivals in the Sonoran hot dog kingdom, the streetside stands are worth a visit. Some argue the tiny joints are superior.

We haven’t gone as far to host a double-blind experiment to discover the undisputed best Sonoran hot dog, but we can recognize a fine specimen when we see one.

The recent 2nd Annual Chorizo & Sonoran Hot Dog Challenge crowned a Mejor Hot Dog Sonorense: La Carreta del Rorro.

Next time you’re northwest stocking on Asian groceries at Lee Lee’s Oriental Supermarket, head west a bit to the dirt lot where La Carreta resides. The surrounding chain link fence and wooden wagon makes the space look like it sells outdoor decor, but park and walk under the lime green metal structure to smell the mesquite.

La Carreta’s Sonoran dog ($3.50) passes all the benchmark requirements: slightly sweet bun, bacon wrapped dog, beans, onions, tomato, salsa verde, mustard, mayo. The ingredient preparation itself doesn’t require too much finesse, but the ratio of ingredients can make or break a Sonoran dog — La Carreta gets this right.

Sonoran hot dogs with chorizo at La Carreta del Rorro (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Sonoran hot dogs with chorizo at La Carreta del Rorro (Credit: Jackie Tran)

A key difference is the mayo distribution — La Carreta spreads the mayo over the tomatoes rather than the common drizzle. The accompanying guero chile has what seems to be Tajín sprinkled on, which provides a welcome lime acidity to contrast the loaded dog.

For a minor but impactful addition, pay $0.50 for chorizo on top. The crumbly, salty bits on top provide meaty savoriness in those bites where you normally get bun but no hot dog.

La Carreta del Rorro is located in the parking lot at 4075 W. Ina. Rd. Keep up with La Carreta del Rorro on Facebook.

[08/02/2018 Edit: The address was updated.]

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Article By

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon...

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