Tucked in the back of an east side parking lot, there's a little shop that sells pre-made sushi rolls in plastic containers. Most people just whiz by, but I noticed a sign: "Vietnamese hot dogs" ...
Now what, may you ask, is that? Tucson is a city known for its far-out weenie creations, but the Vietnamese hot dog is a peculiar one. It takes two killer ideas — the beef link and the banh mi sandwich — and attempts to unify them. It sounds kind of weird, but hey, banh mis usually do have some sort of strange and vaguely sausage-y pork product.
The snappy hot dog is no different. It's almost like a thick log of pate, paired with all the usual banh mi suspects: fresh jalapeño, pickled carrots and daikon ... plus some grilled peppers and a creamy chipotle sauce for a Southwestern touch. Hot dogs are usually super heavy, but the fresh ingredients made the creation taste brighter and lighter.
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Mine came out on a regular hot dog bun, which was honestly a little disappointing. (I wanted to see it on a crunchy baguette.) But at $1.50 apiece, they can do whatever they want!
Check out the Vietnamese hot dog at Sushi To-Go and More, 7755 E. Golf Links Road, suite 107. Phone: 520-296-0432, facebook.com/SushiTogotucson
In honor of Tucson's latest mashup, here are three other creative concoctions! What's your favorite???
VIETNAMESE TACO:
Photo by Andi Berlin/Arizona Daily Star
The Vietnamese hot dog's overachieving sister is this banh mi taco from Lucky Girl Cafe, with lemongrass chicken on a corn tortilla. More info here.
DOSSANT:
Photo by Rick Wiley/Arizona Daily Star
It's a doughnut, it's a croissant! (But don't call it a cronut ... ) It's a dossant from Prep & Pastry. More info here.
TOTCHOS:
Photo by Dean Knuth/Arizona Daily Star
All the nacho goodness, with none of those annoying "tortilla chips" that only grownups eat. We're gettin' the tater tots and then taking a nap! At May's Counter ... More info here.
