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BrushFire BBQ’s Smoked Sonoran Dog: 14 inches of delicious

BrushFire BBQ’s Smoked Sonoran Dog: 14 inches of delicious

Sep 16, 20192 min read

Living in the ol’ T-U-C, you can’t help but know all about the Sonoran dog.

Unofficially our official food, and one of the only local foods to be associated with a James Beard award, there are over 35 different roadside stands to find this Sonoran treat.

But not this one.

First things first, BrushFire BBQ’s Smoked Sonoran Dog is 14 inches long. And that length is not mere lips and hooves. It’s a locally made Forbes Meat Company dog. Suffice to say, it’s the best possible dog anyone could use.

“Back in 2016 and 2017, we saw that Ben Forbes was doing some unique things,” said Brushfire Director of Operations Greystone LaPoint. “We thought, let’s try something off the beaten path, too.”

What they came up with was a giant Sonoran dog. This year is actually the second time they’ve rolled out the seasonal favorite. The first time, Greystone said, they “sold out like hotcakes.”

Brushfire spared no expense in putting together the Smoked Sonoran Dog. For starters, the 14″ bacon wrapped dog is made by none other than the local Ben Forbes of Forbes Meat Company.  The extra long bun is made by La Baguette Parisienne bakery. And Brushfire whips up the toppings in-house, like the pico, jalapeño salsa and beans.

Smoked Sonoran Dog at Brushfire BBQ in Tucson
Smoked Sonoran Dog at Brushfire BBQ (Photo by Jackie Tran)

While Sonoran dog purists may turn their nose, this is indeed one tasty dog. Featuring mustard, mayo, salsa verde, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, pinto beans, and the Forbes Meat Company dog wrapped in apple wood bacon, you may only need half, making it a perfect dish to share.

The Smoked Sonoran Dog is available at both Brushfire locations for $15 and for a limited time – September and October only. (And possibly November, depending on the actual availability of the dog.)

And don’t forget, Brushfire added an ice creamery next door to the 22nd location years ago. Ice cream is available at both locations, too. And it’s good. So save room.

Lastly, if you’re needing catering or have a special event planned, give Brushfire a look. They can handle extremely large events – even out of state.

And if you haven’t been to BrushFire’s 22nd Street location in a while, they’ve completed some major patio renovations. Featuring five large high top round tables seating up to 6 people with centerpiece fire pits, you’d have no trouble hosting a small event or simply enjoying an evening meal, now that it’s starting to cool down.

But I digress. ‘Cause right now, it’s all about that Sonoran dog.

BrushFire BBQ is home to two locations at 7080 E. 22nd and 2745 N. Campbell. Hours are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday – Thursday and 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday. For more information, including full menu, visit brushfirebbq.com.

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Article written by:

Adam Lehrman

Adam Lehrman

More about Adam
Adam Lehrman started Tucson Foodie in late 2008 as a way to track his search for the best food Tucson had to offer.

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Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmon
LE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️

Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location.

🍒Tiki Cold Brew
Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam

🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam

🎂Birthday Cake Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam

And the food specials are just as tempting:

• Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries

• Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg

Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger.

2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130

Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodLE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️ Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location. 🍒Tiki Cold Brew Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam 🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam 🎂Birthday Cake Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam And the food specials are just as tempting: • Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries • Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger. 2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130 Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉

❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more.

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 ❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona
Opened in 2023, @kabulcorner is Tucson’s only Afghan restaurant, created to provide jobs, community, and a taste of home for Afghan families who made Tucson their new home. 

Today, Sediq Haidari and his family serve traditional Afghan dishes like bolani, mantou, Kabuli palaw, fresh tandoori naan, and house-made chaka, while preserving recipes and traditions rooted in Afghanistan’s rich history. 

With its warm hospitality, authentic food, and strong sense of community, Kabul Corner has become a little piece of home in the Sonoran Desert. ❤️ 

“These dishes are famous not only in Afghanistan, but in neighboring countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Iran, and even parts of China. It sits right between Indian and Arabic food.” Sediq Haidari

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyon 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodOpened in 2023, @kabulcorner is Tucson’s only Afghan restaurant, created to provide jobs, community, and a taste of home for Afghan families who made Tucson their new home. Today, Sediq Haidari and his family serve traditional Afghan dishes like bolani, mantou, Kabuli palaw, fresh tandoori naan, and house-made chaka, while preserving recipes and traditions rooted in Afghanistan’s rich history. With its warm hospitality, authentic food, and strong sense of community, Kabul Corner has become a little piece of home in the Sonoran Desert. ❤️ “These dishes are famous not only in Afghanistan, but in neighboring countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Iran, and even parts of China. It sits right between Indian and Arabic food.” Sediq Haidari Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood