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It was a cold, rainy early evening on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, and I was heading home from a day of exploring that started out in San Diego touring the U.S.S. Midway museum ship, and ended with a long afternoon of hiking around the Zona Centro an Zona Norte in downtown Tijuana. On this rare rainy evening, I was headed back to the U.S., as I was quite tired from hiking around Tijuana all day, drinking beer, and enjoying the local cuisine, but as always, true to my established routine, I had an eye out for street vendors, and I hit the jackpot at the corner of 4th and Negrete when I spotted an un-named hot dog cart on the northeast corner of the street. Photo: Paco prepares my hot dog, as other patrons stand around and enjoy their delicious hot dogs, on this rainy evening in Tijuana. Note the comforting steam rising into the night from Paco's cart. In Tijuana, don't even bother for looking for hot dog carts during the day, as like owls, they seem to come out at night. After dark, hot dog vendors populate practically every street corner in downtown Tijuana, so finding a vendor is an easy task. Among the vendors, there must be a gentleman's agreement as to the price, as it's always $1.00, and the hot dog guys prefer you to hand them a dollar bill, rather than the equivalent in Mexican pesos. Also, the hot dogs are remarkably similar, as they're all grilled, wrapped with a slice of bacon, and served on a regular hot dog bun. Condiments always include mustard and salsa, and some vendors offer catsup, mayonnaise and grilled jalapeno peppers. Sweet pickle relish isn't offered on the streets of Tijuana... Photo: Paco adds mustard to my hot dog. Like most hot dog carts, Paco's cart is heated by propane, and lighted by a propane lantern. I introduced myself to Paco, the semi-friendly hot dog guy, who was busy grilling hot dogs on this rainy evening, and chatting with customers who were standing around and munching on hot dogs. I ordered a hot dog with everything on it, which included salsa, mayonnaise and mustard, and Paco was amazed and commented on the fact that I was taking photos. So once again, it was time to answer the old, familiar question of "Why are you taking photos?..." Photo: I hold my delicious hot dog in my left hand, and photograph it with my right hand. One disadvantage of Tijuana street food is most places are lacking a place to sit down, but the locals don't seem to mind. My hot dog was delicious, and very typical of the hot dogs cooked on the streets of Tijuana. I commented to Paco that his hot dog cart didn't have a name on it, and I asked him if his operation had a name, and he told me that it was appropriately named Paco's Hot Dogs. On my way back to the U.S., if I'm passing at 4th and Negrete and if Paco has his hot dog cart on the corner, I'll pay him another visit, as Paco's Hot Dogs makes delicious hot dogs, at an excellent price. Paco's
Hot Dogs Copyright(c) 2009 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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