|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trying to find a hot dog cart in Tijuana during daylight hours is like trying to chase the Flying Dutchman, as it's a "buena suerte" venture at best... But when the sun goes down and the lights come on, you'll find hot dog vendors on practically every street corner in downtown Tijuana, and no corner is more popular than the corner of Articulo 123 and Av. Revolución, as that particular corner is at a strategic crossroads, as it gets pedestrians headed to party and shop on Av. Rev., and it also gets the more sinister crowd heading to enjoy delights of "Sin City," Tijuana's famous Zona Norte. Actually, this corner straddles the line between the two zones, but since this hot dog cart was located on the northwest corner of the street, that put it in Tijuana's red light district, Zona Norte.
Photo: After dark, when the owls and hot dog vendors come out, most hot dog carts, including Juan's, are lit by a propane lantern, which adds a warm, cheery glow to some of the finest hot dogs sold on Earth. You're not supposed to take photos in Zona Norte, as per a city ordinance, to protect the identity of the many working girls pedaling their fine wares on the streets of "The Zone," but since this hot dog cart was located at the foot of the arch, I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a photo or two, to document what I knew would be a fine feast of another bacon wrapped Tijuana hot dog. Juan's Hot Dogs doesn't have a printed name, but as I walked up to the cart, I was greeted with a friendly smile by a fellow who introduced himself to me as Juan, who appeared to be the chief cook and bottlewasher of the operation. Naturally, I introduced myself and began asking questions, as I'm always curious about these small entrepreneurs and their operation, and he complemented me on my Spanish, and the fact that few gringos actually make an attempt to speak the language of Mexico. Well, when in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do...
Photo: Juan grabs a hot dog off the grill for me. Note the huge pile of buns, and the assortment of condiments in the squeeze bottles. The onions and salsa are in trays, located under the cutting board. Like 99% of the hot dog carts in Tijuana, Juan's cart features a propane-fired grill, and a propane lantern for illumination. The cart features a small grill, a griddle, and a gigantic mound of plastic wrapped hot dog buns were piled on top of the cart, along with squeeze bottles of catsup, mustard, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, and cheese. Cheese on a TJ dog! Now that's a new experience! Salsa and diced white onions were in two stainless steel trays, and several jalapeño were cooking on the griddle. It as all together a rather comforting sight, after a long day of exploring the streets of Tijuana. This is a popular corner, and Juan's operation is the third hot dog cart that I've reviewed on this corner, but today, Wednesday, December 30, 2009, was the first time that I'd ever seen Juan's Hot Dogs. Juan assured me that they've been occupying the corner for years - seems that I've just missed them - as they "time share" the corner with other hot dog operations. Whatever you say, Juan... Anyway, according to Juan, he and his brother Jaime inherited the business from his father, and they've been selling hogs for a living on the streets of Tijuana for the last 15 years. Imagine supporting yourself, and your family, from a small, mobile hot dog cart! I've got to hand it to these guys. Anyway, talk was cheap, so I placed my order for a hot dog, with everything on it.
Photo: Now this is a unique Tijuana, bacon wrapped hot dog, due to the fresh salsa, and the cheese, which added a delicious touch. Juan's Hot Dogs produces keeper dogs... I was only able get off a couple of shots before my hot dog was ready. Deftly with a pair of tongs, Juan plucked a bacon wrapped hot dog off the griddle and placed it on a heated bun, then applied fresh salsa, onions, mayonnaise, mustard, and cheese. In keeping with the de facto Tijuana standard, the price was only a dollar for this hunk of hot dog heaven. The dogs are great, the location is convenient, the price is right, and Juan is friendly, and delivers a quality product. Next time I'm in the area, if Juan's Hot Dogs is there, I'll definitely belly up to the cart and order another one. Juan's
Hot Dogs Copyright(c) 2011 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002. Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custon photography for any occasion...
|
