BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs | Taste of Tucson

How To Dress a Hot Dog

When it comes to hot dogs, what toppings do you crave? Chili and cheese is a combo that earns legions of fans. Baseball stadiums offer ketchup, mustard, and relish. Chicagoans favor an all-beefer dragged through the garden and nestled in a poppy seed bun. Atop it rest neon-green relish, mustard, celery salt, pickle, and tomato. Travel around the country and you will find countless distinct variations of the all-American wiener. In the realm of regional uniqueness, nothing tops the Sonoran hot dog.

Anatomy of a Sonoran Dog

A true taste of Tucson, the Sonoran dog packs smoky oomph. It cooks wrapped in a tight strip of bacon that tends to melt piggy flavor right into the meat it hugs. It demands a significant bun because the bun keeps all the toppings shored in. And on this dog, toppings prevail. Among them are chopped tomatoes, pinto beans, onions, cheese, and hot peppers. Crown all of that off with squirts of condiments that replicate the Mexican flag: ketchup, mayonnaise, and either tomatillo or jalapeño salsa. Accompany this grand creation with a roasted guero pepper (like a blonde jalapeno). Ta-da! Here you have one stunning street-food masterpiece.

Carne Asada is a Must

Yes, BK’s serves some of the best Sonoran hot dogs. But as the restaurant name suggests, carne asada also reigns on this menu. Cooked over mesquite, the tender, marinated beef radiates char flavor. Packed generously into a torta (that’s a Mexican sandwich), shreds of it will tumble out when you hoist it, leaving much delicious debris to fork up at the meal’s end. Carne asada combined with mozzarella packed between corn or flour tortillas also makes a grand caramelo. (In Tucson caramelo means that it’s a gooey dish, albeit savory. Outside southernmost Arizona, it likely will refer to sweet caramel.) Other available fillings for tortas and caramelos, as well as for tacos and burros, include chicken,  ham, pastor (seasoned pork), borrego (lamb), and, for those with a sense of culinary adventure, cabeza (shredded beef cheek).

True Street Food

You’ll know BK’s by the huge hot dog cart in the front parking lot. Whereas so many of the city’s Sonoran hot dog vendors occupy ramshackle carts, this fancy, custom-made cooking center declares hegemony. When you park, the tantalizing scent of its grilled dogs insinuates itself into your car even before you switch off the ignition. All hot dog preparation takes place outside. They then are carried inside the restaurant for serving.

Taste of Tucson

BK’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner starting at 9 a.m. each day. A few meals here guarantee conversion to the “Estilo Sorona” (Sonoran style) of Tucson. (Note: the original store is located at 5118 South 12th Avenue. 520-207-2245)