That Ain't No Bull in Amado

On the west side of Interstate 19 in the town of Amado, located about half way between Tucson and Nogales, you will come across a pair of enormous longhorns towering above the cactus and sagebrush. Don't worry, it's not a mirage or an experiment to solve world hunger with super-sized bovines. It's the entrance to the Longhorn Grill, a long time Southern Arizona watering hole and occasional cinematic backdrop.

Perhaps you recognize the Longhorn Grill. It was featured in the movies, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," directed by Martin Scorcese and "Boys On The Side," staring Whoopi Goldberg and Drew Barrymore. Despite the fame, the Longhorn never let it go to its head -- pun intended. It's still a neighborhood bar, filled with its share of regular customers.

One loyal customer, Oscar, has been coming to the Longhorn for 30 years. He told me that in the early days there was a bakery next to the bar and a lake out back where children would fish and enjoy paddle boats. Both are gone. The only evidence of the truth to his story is a large impression in the dirt where the lake once was.

Today, a family-style restaurant has been added next door, featuring a wide selection of Italian, Mexican and America food. But the true flavor of the Longhorn is in the bar. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for a burger and beer and tell Oscar I said, "Hi!"

Detour: ¿Cómo Decir "Hot Dog?"

There are several varieties of hot dogs made throughout the U.S. Among them, the Coney Island, Chicago-style and Chili dog are well-known. In Arizona, we also have our version of this American classic, it's called the Sonoran hot dog.


Never heard of it? Neither had I. That was until a little more than a year ago when I came across an article in Sunset magazine titled "Western essential No. 6: The Sonoran hot dog." When I saw it again, featured on the Travel Channel's Man v. Food and Food Wars, I knew that I had to come here -- to El Guero Canelo in Tucson, Ariz.



El Guero Canelo is actually located in South Tucson, a one square mile community within metropolitan Tucson. Also called "The Pueblo within a City," South Tucson reflects the culture and traditions of its primarily Hispanic population. In the neighborhood surrounding El Guero Canelo all the storefronts and billboards are in Spanish, and the language spoken on the street is Spanish, too.


While today you will find a brightly colored eatery with plenty of open-air seating, the family-run restaurant had a more humble beginning. El Guero's started as "street food" (a taco stand), which is popular among the Spanish culture. A portion of the family's food truck has been preserved for posterity and is used as the restaurant's pick up window.

Your first visit to El Guero Canelo can be a bit intimidating. Everyone there seems to know the process, but you. Luckily I fell into the right line and placed my order - one Sonoran hot dog with a traditional Mandarin soda, straight from Mexico. The food is prepared quickly and your number is called, in Spanish and (fortunately for me) in English, too.

What you get is a little white box filled with a combination of Mexican and American flavors. The hot dog, which is a bit more plump than the average ball park frank, is nestled inside a soft, sweet roll. Unlike American buns, however, this one is cut though on the top, creating a pocket to hold in all the goodness -- beans, salsa, onions, bacon and sour cream. I topped mine with a little avocado crema. Yum!

It didn't take me long to devour my first Sonoran hot dog. In fact, it was so good that I thought I would order another, but by the size of the crowd that had gathered inside, so did everyone else. Find a crowded restaurant and you'll find good food. When you're in Tucson, you'll find good food, and a great Sonoran hot dog, at El Guero Canelo.

Finding the Sweet Spot at the Sugar Bowl

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! This is especially true on a hot summer day in Downtown Scottsdale when the temperature tops 110 degrees. But other than another hot day in the Valley of the Sun, July 18th is also National Ice Cream Day and a good reason to enjoy a cool ice cream treat.



My dear friend and college roommate, Lisa, joined me at the Sugar Bowl. We enjoyed our fair share of ice cream treats while attending the UofA at Eric's Ice Cream, a short walk from the sorority house. But on Saturday's the walk wasn't necessary, as the dinner menu always included Burgers & Splits.

The Sugar Bowl is a favorite of generations of Valley residents, located for more than 50 years in Old Town Scottsdale. I don't think much has changed since it opened its doors. The vinyl pink booths and bar stool and the Tiffany-style lamps are straight from the 1950s. The menu is too. Simple fare from a simpler time -- traditional sandwiches, burgers, sundaes and floats. Just like you remember from your childhood. Maybe better.

Lisa and I each ordered a Pinnacle Peak Sundae, with its two scoops, fudge, whipped cream and a cherry on top. Nothing could be better than that, except catching up on old times. Friendship, like the Sugar Bowl, doesn't change, no matter how many years pass by.