The desert heat outside Phoenix hides one of the most underrated food scenes in the entire Southwest. Between the red rocks of Sedona and the patios of Scottsdale, a handful of dishes keep showing up on every local’s must eat list.
None of them are what most first time visitors expect to find on a menu out here. Here is what locals actually order once the sun goes down and the patio lights turn on.
A Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog Like No Other
The Sonoran hot dog is Arizona’s answer to the classic ballpark dog, and it barely resembles the original anymore. A beef frank gets wrapped in bacon, grilled until crisp, then tucked into a soft bolillo style bun.
At Diego Pops in Old Town Scottsdale, the version comes loaded with pinto beans, grilled onion, and avocado crema and cotija on top. It is messy, rich, and nothing like the hot dog most visitors grew up eating.
A Bright Pink Drink Made For Desert Afternoons
Prickly pear grows wild all over the Arizona desert, and locals have turned its fruit into one of the most photographed drinks in the state. The flavor lands somewhere between watermelon and bubblegum, with a tartness that cuts through the sweetness…