If you are a hot dog connoisseur, as I am, you should try this place. I realize, the hot dog is a truely American invention but I feel Mexico has put a savory twist on it that I enjoy.

I recently returned from the LA area where I tried a famous place called Pinks Hot Dogs. I waited in line for a fucking hour for a chili dog that was not really all that special. It was "snapper" meaning it had the natural casing but other than that, certainly not worth waiting in line for an hour. There are never long lines like that at Gordo's.

Pinks charges a base price of $2.95 for a skinny little snapper with watery chili. You would have to eat at least two Pinks to equal one of Gordo's jumbos.

I would appreciate comments regarding the comparisons I have made here between American and Sonoran style hot dogs. Especially from LA residents regarding the hype surrounding Pinks.

The friend I went to LA with is born in raised in Santa Monica and he was so disgusted with the long lines at Pinks that he said he will never go back.

Hermosillo has dozens of hot dog carts scattered throughout the city and I have tried lots of them but this is my favorite.

A jumbo is a very fat hot dog (like a plumper). To add insult to injury they wrap it in bacon and then scatter bacon bits on top!! I always like to order mine "con todo" which means "with everything". Everything means boiled pinto beans, mayo, sauteed onions and the bacon bits. Gordo's also offers turkey bits for the health concious customer! LOL!

There is a condiment bar where you can dress up your dog with things like pickles, catsup, mustard, different types of cheese and different hot sauces. I like the pureed jalepeno sauce that Gordo has.

I believe a jumbo con todo is only about $20 pesos. A very cheap but satisfying meal.

Gordo's opens at around 7PM and stays open very late for the after hours crowd. He is centrally located near the corner of Olivares and Navarrete.

If you happen to be there when Gordo is around, please say hello to him. He speaks excellent English and is a friendly guy...as is all the staff.

Catsup and mayo are absolute no no's with hot dogs. Anytime I see a hillbilly put catsup on a hot dog or a Filipino put mayo on a hot dog, I cringe to the point where I want to grab it from them and throw it in the trash. Anyone who eats a hot dog with mayo or catsup should have their hot dog eating license revoked permanently.

For me, the best is Grey's Papaya in Manhattan and Nathan's in Coney Island. Wont eat hot dogs in Mexico as they are small and wrapped in bacon and just dont look appetizing. I rarely eat hot dogs so for me to eat a hot dog, it better be top notch.

By the way, Dodger dogs suck. Most overrated crap in the world. Dont like chili dogs so cant vouch for that. I like mustard and sauer kraut. Chicago style dogs are also unbelievably good with celery salt, pickles, etc.

I have heard they have a place that deep fries the dogs until they split and they are called rippers and supposed to be good. Hawaii has some great dogs with papaya and other fruit type mustards that goes into a bun that surrounds the dog.

Sonora dogs are awesome. Although I admit, I am usually sin mayonesa. Never get catsup on a dog, here or there. Pintos and salsa, oh yeah. But for me, what makes the hot dog great in Mexico, the bread. No kidding. I wish Tijuana made their dogs in the style of Sonora towns.

In Tecate, there is a place off the 'calle principal', a block and a half to the north up one of the streets. These 'rockeros' open up a stand on weekends in front of their pad. Pretty good dogs, they use hewbrew national franks. They also have a tasty burger, they mix in a bit of chorizo into the hamburger, spicy, but real good. Pretty good fries too, they have one of those slicers that cuts up the potato, skin and all.

By the way, I wouldn't worry about Sonoran hot dogs made from dogs. I have heard people slander Mexican food that way. I driven around Hermosillo and have seen tractor trailers loaded with the biggest porkers I have ever seen in my life! They have no shortage of pork there. By the way, I was born and raised in the Mid West.

Reading Blazers entry reminded me of a program on PBS I recently watched about the hot dog. That was the one that highlighted Pinks in Hollywood. They also showed a place back east that did the "splitters". I would think splitting the hot dog would release the juices and decrease the flavor.

Americans are very passionate and particular about their hot dogs!
Hot dog styles are like anything else in the world. It is whatever turns you on.