Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Güero Canelo Restaurant

    4.0 (888 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Order El Güero Canelo Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    El Güero Canelo Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    EL GÜERO CANELO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    More like El Güero Canelo Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - El Güero Canelo Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ashley C.

    Visiting Tucson and needed to land on a dinner spot. Ended up choosing El Güero Canelo after several recommendations. The FCQ for $4.99 was HUGE. Carne Asada and Apollo are the two protein options for tacos and quesadillas. Sonoran dogs are a given, we went with the nacho form. The space is large and clean. Rightfully, they have sinks outside the bathrooms cause you will be messy. Small sacrifice for amazing food.

    Sonoran Hot Dog
    Gary B.

    We heard about this place from friends who live in Tucson you have to have a Sonoran hot dog, and said it was really good, so we had to try it. The restaurant is your average looking fast food type of place where you order at the front and get your food. The dog comes with bacon and is covered with onions, peppers etc. (Think of a Pico) and is nestled in a split bun/boat which is as soft as a pillow. The condiment bar had roasted peppers and onions which was a nice discovery. We aren't talking about a beautiful setting inside or Michelin level food, but it was a decent hot dog which has quite a local following.

    Chucho Dog.  Costco all beef bacon wrapped dog with all the Sonoran Dog toppings.  It was ok.  Smaller, regular Sonoran Dogs are better.
    Tim S.

    Stopped here on the way out of Tucson. I had been to El Guero Canelo a few times (not this location though) and have had tasty hot dogs from them before. I saw that they do an "all beef" dog called the Chucho dog. I knew I had to try it. I went with a Chucho Dog with no mayo. It was about $7.00 or so. The idea is good "A Costco All Beef Sonoran Dog" pretty much, but it fell a bit short. First of all, the dog was like lukewarm. It wasn't freshly griddled right then and there. Also, the toppings went spilling all over the place. The big dog just doesn't work. You need the smaller dogs so you can tuck them inside the bread completely. This was overhanging the bun. It was still decent, but I would much rather have a regular Sonoran Dog over the Chucho. Lady at the counter was friendly. Food was ready very fast.

    A big burrito with bacon.
    Daniel B.

    This place has huge portions, but I'm not gonna lie. The meat did not have very much flavor and had a lot of additional things that you can put on Pico de Gallo, different sauces which made that nice. But the flavor of the meat was still very bland I give this place a 3

    Nancy F.

    Nice location. Very open and air conditioned. There are daily specials which include French fries and a drink. Great salsa bar and they have grilled green onion and peppers.

    Carne Fries
    Courtney T.

    Clean eating space and well stocked salsa bar. The Sonoran dog was very good and I was able to customize it which was great! The carne asada fries were the saddest fries I've even seen. The cheese was barely melted and the fries were not hot. The meat on top was great but I would suggest queso instead of shredded cheddar.

    Toritos
    Rey F.

    Guero Canelo has been my go-to spot for Mexican food since I moved to Tucson. It's always the first place I take family and friends straight from the airport when they visit. The winner of a James Beard award, the restaurant is spacious, with plenty of well-spaced seating, making it comfortable even when it's busy. I always order the carne asada burrito--it comes with cabbage and beans, and you can add cheese if you'd like. They offer three sizes: Junior, Medium, and Very Mucho. The Very Mucho is enormous--perfect for sharing or tackling solo if you're really hungry. Their Sonoran Hot Dogs are also a must-try being in Tucson. It's a bacon wrapped hotdog which is a local favorite. One of the great touches is that the owner often stops by to check in with both staff and customers, which creates a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. There's also a self-serve bar stocked with guacamole, salsa, lime, grilled onions, cucumbers, and more. If you're looking for delicious Mexican food in Tucson, Guero Canelo is a must-visit.

    2 Sonoran Style Hot Dogs
    Rachel B.

    The service was speedy. The food was delicious. The bathrooms were clean. My only complaint: the self serve bar needed restocking and I was not there during the busiest time. The Sonoran Hot Dogs are delicious! If you've never tried them go for the gusto and get everything in them, then add mushroom and green sauce! Yum!!!! I will be back anytime I am in the area! A must visit!!!!

    Front of house
    Eric B.

    We grabbed lunch here while we were exploring Tucson. Excellent food and service. Food is made fresh and the have a salsa bar. The place is clean. I would recommend to my friends

    Front counter & Menu 11/2024
    Mike S.

    A Tucson institution! Swung by for a "quick" work lunch and learned it was El Guero Canelo Day - the anniversary of the restaurant's founding. Their original Sonoran Dog is $1.99 all day (normally $4.29). The line was moderately long and almost every table was taken. It took about 30 min from walking in to getting food... not too bad. The lone disappointment is how tiny the hotdogs are. The first 1-2 inches of bun on Each end is devoid of any dog, otherwise delicious.

    Nachos
    Jenna F.

    El Güero is a Tucson staple and for good reason... at least for certain items on their menu. My main recommendations are always the cheese quesadilla, Sonoran hot dogs, and their carne asada. The restaurant itself has a salsa bar with pico, mild salsa, hot salsa, cucumbers, and a creamy avocado sauce. However, I tried the nachos for the first time and was not a fan. The quesadilla was absolutely massive and the Sonoran hot dogs were as iconic as always. Overall, a space with a decent patio and a very, very casual atmosphere. Service is always quick and it's a great place to take folks visiting from out of town.

    Michael W.

    "If there's a glizzy, I'll find it." - Simone Biles, the GOAT and most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast of all time So what you're saying is that top tiered athletes eat hot dogs, yet my doctor is telling me to stop eating processed tube-shaped meats? Nah. Imma be like Biles. I kid... partially. Having not been in the Tucson area in about 20 years, heavy research was done by J-WoW. The only place she had demanded to go to was El Guero Canelo, winner of a 2018 James Beard award in American Classics: the hot dog. Folks, get you a Sonoran Dog. Don't question this absolute Frankenstein of a wiener. Yes, it has hot dog wrapped in bacon with beans, tomatoes, and onions in raw and cooked form. Yeah there's mayo, mustard, and jalapeño sauce on top. And BIG YES that it's a masterpiece you need to consume. They serve a pepper on the side, which is a great treat. Skip the tacos here at El Guero Canelo. Their tacos are the only reason they didn't get five-stars. Come here and get yourself a taste of Tucson.

    Some carne asada tacos.
    Joyce W.

    The 2018 James Beard Awards Committee announced their five "American Classics" picks, and one of the winners is... a hot dog. No joke! The winning hot dog is from El Guero Canelo here in Tucson, Arizona. What makes Sonoran Dogs so special? For starters, a squishy bolillo roll envelopes a bacon-wrapped hot dog. Pinto beans, a mixture of raw and grilled onions, and tomatoes are then piled on before the entire masterpiece is drizzled lovingly with mustard, mayonnaise, and jalapeño salsa. A roasted chile güero (a pale pepper) is served on the side. It's a masterpiece, and you would be doing yourself a disservice if you do not get yourself a Sonoran Dog while in Arizona. And while the Sonoran Dogs at El Guero Canelo are pretty darn amazing, their carne asada tacos leave much to be desired. I won't be waxing anymore poetry on their food, so TL;DR just stick with the Sonoran Dogs, okay? Daniel Contreras, owner of El Güero Canelo, has competed in Food Wars and won. His Sonoran hot dogs have been featured in The New York Times and Bon Appétit magazine as well as various shows, like the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food." Hats off to ya, Contreras!

    Estilo Sonora & Asada Quesadilla

    See all

    Photo of HoyMay P.
    413
    2761
    42699

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim S.
    105
    1788
    2733

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric B.
    59
    139
    183

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 4
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    We appreciate your in-depth review of our restaurant!

    Helpful 69
    Thanks 28
    Love this 65
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    You gotta come here for the salsa bar. The carne asada quesadilla is delicious - one of the best places I've found!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sarah I.
    0
    64
    164

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 48
    Thanks 16
    Love this 47
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark B.
    769
    490
    4643

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cindy L.
    218
    1474
    15905

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Conrad C.
    21
    90
    27

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arely S.

    Arely S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 23

    El Güero Canelo Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Güero Canelo Restaurant

    Are the hot dogs all beef? Pork? Or beef/pork combination?

    They have a "chuco dog" that is 100% beef

    View All 3 Questions

    You might also consider

    Guadalajara Original Grill

    Guadalajara Original Grill

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Food: I ordered the chicken molcajete and it was delicious!! I had never had molcajete and it was…read moreexactly what I hoped it would be. Also they make you salsa table side to your liking! Love this idea and even better because there is no charge Drinks: I ordered the jumbo margarita and it was delicious! It was $22 for a margarita with three shots. Ambiance: fun and colorful decor Parking: designated parking lot Service: everyone was very nice and accommodating

    Ugh! I feel genuinely bad about giving this place three stars because it has all the makings of…read morebeing a five stars if not for one very important thing...the food. Which, you know, is kind of the whole point of a restaurant. The atmosphere was great, a little on the nose, but great none the less. It feels like a Mexican dinner or at least what I imagined a dinner in Mexico would look like. The staff where beyond amazing, especially the woman who made our complementary salsa right at the table. And the salsa was yummy but sadly that's the only part of the meal that I can say that about. The thing is, nothing was truly bad, but just about everything was incredibly bland. You'd have expected someone who puts raisins in potato salad to have served it, not an authentic Mexican restaurant. Though the positive is the lack of seasoning is really the only major problem. The food did not have any weird taste, it wasn't dry, the presentation was fine. It simply needs to be seasoned and this place goes to a solid 4/5 rather than a three.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Table made salsa
    Table made salsa
    Table made salsa

    See all

    Table made salsa
    El Charro Cafe

    El Charro Cafe

    3.6
    (2.5k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    This is a MUST TRY whenever you find yourself in Tucson. The ambience and authentic chips and salsa…read moregreets you as you settle into their surprisingly large menu. No need to linger..,go straight for the queso birria chimichanga and thank me later. After all, THIS is where the chimichanga was originated! The service was attentive and polite and the owner is actively in the dining rooms to ensure stellar service. Can't go wrong. Give it a try!

    We were in Tucson over the weekend and wanted to try some authentic Mexican food. El Charro kept…read morepopping up in our search, and since we love exploring historic places with a story, it seemed like the perfect choice. Located in downtown Tucson, this iconic restaurant is full of character and beautifully decorated. We visited on a Saturday around 1 PM without a reservation and were told there would be a wait since the place was packed. They only have air conditioning in the indoor dining areas and basement, not on the outdoor patio. Luckily, we were seated in the basement, which turned out to be perfect. The service was commendable truly some of the sweetest and most attentive service we've experienced in a long time. We started with freshly made chips and salsa, which were an instant hit. For drinks, we ordered the El Tamarindo, Mangopeno, and Monica's Cafetini. For food, we chose the Vegan Jackfruit Taquitos Trio and the Fresh Corn Tamale Platter, which came with a side of squash. The drinks were excellent, with the Mangopeno being my favorite. But the real star of the meal was the tamale platter. Oh my goodness it was absolutely delicious! Everyone at the table kept digging in and couldn't get enough. Even the squash side was so flavorful that we ordered an extra serving. The vegan jackfruit taquitos were a bit too deep-fried for our liking and didn't quite compare to the incredible tamales. To finish, we shared a caramel flan, which was the perfect sweet ending to the meal. The pricing was very reasonable, the service was exceptional, and the food was memorable. We will definitely be back again if only for those amazing tamales!

    Photos
    Steak burro
    Steak burro
    Beautiful setting of Mexican Folk Art
    Beautiful setting of Mexican Folk Art
    Charro Street Tacos

    See all

    Charro Street Tacos
    Amelias Mexican Kitchen

    Amelias Mexican Kitchen

    4.4
    (689 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    We had an amazing first visit to Amelia's Mexican Kitchen on Oracle Rd. Alexa took such wonderful…read morecare of us. She was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind, and she made our whole experience feel welcoming from start to finish. The hosts were kind too. There was plenty of seating, a dedicated bar, TVs, and nice lighting. The patio has misters, which is perfect for this time of year. They offer booth and table seating, and the tables aren't packed too close together. With party members who have different mobility challenges, the spacing was great and made everything comfortable. The food was delicious. The complimentary bottomless chips and salsa were fresh and generous. If you order the horchata, it comes with free refills too, which is such a nice touch. My husband ordered 2 birria tacos with caldo and loved them. My father in law ordered 2 ground beef enchiladas with red sauce, and my mother in law ordered 2 plain ground beef tacos. I shared the ceviche with my dad, which was fresh and flavorful, and we each ordered one Quesabirria. It was so good! Dessert was perfect. We tried the flan and the chocolate flan. The chocolate flan was a moist Bundt-style chocolate cake with flan on top. Both were creamy, delicious, and enjoyed by all of us. Great service, great food, and Alexa truly made our first visit special. We'll definitely be back!

    2 breakfast items at 12.99 and two juice drinks at 4 dollars each came to 49 dollars? No itemized…read morebill .. just the magic tip screen in your face. They give you chips and salsa without asking which is 6 dollars. No idea how I spent 59 dollars with the tip. We waited and asked several times for water. Very disappointed. Nothing special about the breakfast items. I do not get the positive reviews.

    Photos
    Breakfast burritos at lunch time
    Breakfast burritos at lunch time
    2 QUESABIRRIAS W/RICE & BEANS, CALDO (Juice meat)
    2 QUESABIRRIAS W/RICE & BEANS, CALDO (Juice meat)
    Beef Tamales con Juevos with black beans

    See all

    Beef Tamales con Juevos with black beans
    La Yaquesita Mexican Cuisine

    La Yaquesita Mexican Cuisine

    4.6
    (108 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Delicious food with a very relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The service was excellent. Highly…read morerecommend the Jarritos Paloma, it's delicious! I stopped in for lunch and the food and drinks really hit the spot. I also love all the plants on the patio. It feels like eating at Abuelita's house.

    Overall, the service was good and the food tasted good, but the pricing didn't quite match the…read moreculinary experience for me. Honestly, I wish I could give Yaquesita a little more, maybe half a star more, because this place definitely has potential. Their flavors are good, but compared to similar restaurants the menu feels a bit overpriced. For a party of three we ended up paying around $100, which felt like a bit much for what we got. The restaurant itself is pretty small with only about 3-4 tables inside, but the patio is a decent size and has a cute vibe. It's actually a nice option on cooler days if you don't mind sitting outside. Some items were better than others. The wet-style burrito was delicious and definitely a highlight. The quesabirrias were good, however the birria felt more like fancier shredded beef. It was missing that rich, spicy, slightly acidic, earthy flavor that usually sets birria apart from barbacoa or traditional shredded beef dishes. The bowl was just okay and had lots of lettuce. It felt more like a salad with a bit of meat, rice, and beans. Honestly, Chipotle does bowls better, and that says a lot considering the price. The nachos were good, but I've had better. Seis Kitchen has amazing nachos to share. That said, it's definitely a place I'd come back to mainly out of convenience, not because one particular item on the menu won my heart. I really do hope they continue refining the menu because the flavors are there and this place could easily become a standout spot. Personally I just think at the total price of my ticket other restaurants should not even have room in my mind during my meal. If you're in the area and looking for a safe bet where everyone will probably find something they like, it's worth giving them a try.

    Photos
    A glimpse of the decor
    A glimpse of the decor
    Sonora Hot Dogs and fries
    Sonora Hot Dogs and fries
    2 Piece Quesabirrias IG: ea_yelpelite

    See all

    2 Piece Quesabirrias IG: ea_yelpelite

    El Güero Canelo Restaurant - mexican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...