Along with El Guero Canelo, BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs is one of the most well known spots for Sonoran Dogs in Tucson, but is it worthy of all the hype?
Where: 5118 S. 12th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85706
What Was Ordered: Two Sonoran hot dogs (peppers were included with hot dog), one imported Coke
What it Cost: A total of $7.36, with each Sonoran Dog at $2.50 and the Coke at $1.75
Along with El Guero Canelo, BK's received national attention through the Travel Channel. In fact, there was an episode of Food Wars that placed BK's and El Guero Canelo in a one-on-one deathmatch to decide the "best" Sonoran-style hot dog in Tucson. The winner of the Food Wars episode? BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs.
The Sonoran hot dogs at BK's are also, allegedly, the original ones in Tucson. It all started in the early 1990s as a food cart in the streets of Tucson, but has now expanded into the two locations it operates today: One on North 1st Avenue, and one on South 12th Avenue. For this review, I stopped into the one on the Southside of town, on S. 12th Ave. Now, the south side of Tucson is an interesting area. The streets are lined with Taquerias, Mexican markets, and Tortilla shops. A basic understanding of common Spanish words is almost a necessity. In addition, El Guero Canelo is about one block south of BK's, which undoubtedly further intensifies the apparent rivalry between the two Tucson favorites.
At BK's the order window is outside, in the patio dining area, although there is additional inside seating. The gigantic menu is plastered next to the order window.
Since today was a mild 91 degrees, outside seating was busy but still had available tables. Behind me, I noticed a flurry of motion and activity...the hot dogs are prepared not in a kitchen, but at a food cart at the front end of the patio! There is definitely a kitchen that handles orders besides hot dogs, hidden in the back of the restaurant, but for hot dogs, they make them right there in open view. It was extremely cool to see a hot dog cart almost inside the restaurant. It creates a link t to the street-vending roots of BK, and creates a personal feel even though BK's has expanded to two full restaurants. Very neat.
BK's serves good-sized Sonoran Dogs. It was a workout just to carry the food back to the table. The grilled peppers are free and included with the purchase of the Sonoran Dog, just a little added bonus for their customers.
These are not plain old hot dog buns -- BK's uses bollilos. They are slightly sweet and overall delicious buns. The hot dog is completely wrapped in bacon, and topped with pinto beans, a ton of grilled onions, loads of tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, and a good amount of jalapeno sauce.
BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs makes very good Sonoran-style hot dogs. There was no skimping on the toppings -- these were hefty hot dogs, and two of them filled me up completely. The peppers were also very good but extremely hot and a drink was necessary to cool down and take some of the heat away.
Overall, everything was very good, and while the jalapeno sauce was strong, it didn't completely dominate the rest of the flavors. If all sandwiches and hot dogs in the world should be eaten on bollilos instead of normal, less-tasty buns, the world would be a much happier place.
BK’s is a Tucson original and it shows through in everything. From the hot dog cart on the patio, to the low prices, to the creepily hilarious Giant Hot Dog statue by the entrance, BK's has a Tucson feel. It is a great place to stop for a Sonoran Dog, and would be an outstanding restaurant to take Tucson newcomers to eat, to show them exactly what Tucson is all about. BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs is deserving of the hype, after all.
BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs
5118 S. 12th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85706
520-295-0105
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