It’s the final countdown.
As I stop by these last six spots, I feel like Rocky Balboa running up the stone steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with a Sonoran Dog-themed T-shirt waiting for me at the top. I’m LeBron James, a Sonoran dog is Dwyane Wade, and a güero chile is Chris Bosh. We’re the "Big Three," ready to take our first championship — also known as the T-shirt you win when you finish every spot on .
I can see the finish line, but first, I have to chow down on six more hot dogs.
I admit, I may be going a little crazy. I second-guessed my love for the quintessential Tucson meal as I drove around town, but once that golden toasted bun and sizzling bacon-wrapped dog were placed in front of me, those doubts washed away. I was determined to end this three-week journey on a high note, and the final stretch did not disappoint.
For this last leg, I visited: , , , , and .
Each was delicious, but two stood out: Los Ponchos and El Sinaloense.
El Sinaloense #5, 1526 N. Alvernon Way.
Before I even started this journey, had already changed my life. I went there for lunch a few years ago and was mind-blown; it was the dog that made me realize the hype was real. I’m proud to report that when I stopped by Monday, I was still impressed. The bun is scrumptious, with a buttery, slightly sweet flavor. It’s a large dog, leaving you perfectly satisfied with a balanced ratio of pinto beans and tomatoes.
also blew me out of the water. I could tell by the beautiful brown crisp on the sides of the bun that it was going to be incredible. It had a savory, smoky flavor from the bacon in every bite. Their güero chile was so limey I almost shed a tear. I love lime, so that tart flavor was exactly what I wanted.
It was bittersweet taking the final bite of the trail. I was ready for my T-shirt, but sad to say goodbye to this tasty chapter. The trail is about more than just eating; it’s about community.
I explored parts of town I don't usually frequent, meeting hardworking business owners who grill for hours with a smile. At , I saw locals chatting with the owner and taking in the vibes. At , coworkers spent their lunch breaks laughing over hot dogs. These spaces bring the community together.
If I had one piece of advice, it would be this: don't "speed run" this trail like I did. Take the time to savor each spot. As I picked up my new T-shirt from the Visitors Center, I was beaming with pride. I have a new shirt, but more importantly, I have 15 new places to go when I crave a bacon-wrapped hot dog.
Jamie Donnelly, food reporter for This Is Tucson, in a t-shirt she earned by finishing Visit Tucson's Sonoran Dog Trail.
Now, let’s get to the official Jamie Sonoran Dog Awards!
🏆 Best Bun: Los Ponchos Hot Dogs
I’ve been a broken record about my love for toasted buns, but the ones at were spectacular. They are fluffy, buttery, and have the perfect toasted crisp. I could eat 20 of these buns plain.
🏆 Best Güero Chile: Yami’s Hotdogs
Once I saw a crispy piece of bacon wrapped around the chile, my mind was made up. The chile was cooked perfectly with a spice that made my mouth tingle, stuffed with gooey cheese. It was a 10/10 torito.
🏆 Cutest Spot: La Carreta del Rorro
This Marana food truck is worth the drive. is colorful and vibrant with a large, shaded sitting area. With great music and a welcoming atmosphere, it's a perfect place to sit and eat.
🏆 Best Sonoran Dog: Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones
(Drum roll, please ...) My favorite dog on the trail was from . I can’t stop thinking about it. It was everything a Sonoran dog should be: a toasted bun, a smoky grilled dog, and the perfect ratio of toppings.
Honorable mentions: Hot Dogs La Reyna and Yami’s Hotdogs.
🏆 Strongest Person in Tucson: Jamie Donnelly
I win for eating 15 Sonoran dogs in three weeks! It was a delicious journey that required many after-lunch naps.