Mexican Gourmet Hot Dogs Moving Into North Park

A popular food vendor at local farmers markets and breweries will make the leap to brick-and-mortar starting next month. Doggos Gus, which specializes in TJ-style bacon-wrapped hot dogs, will take over the kitchen at Twisted Taps, the beer-centric eatery that opened on El Cajon Boulevard last fall. Doggos Gus was founded Mexicali native Gustavo Tonella, who spent summers in college traveling through Mexico sampling versions of bacon-wrapped hot dogs. In 2010, Tonella officially founded his mobile hot dog stand; he’ll continue to pop up at weekly farmers markets, including Sunday’s bustling Hillcrest market, while running the food program at Twisted Taps.

His bacon-wrapped dogs, served on steamed bolillo buns, include the Hotcho Gus garnished with diced tomatoes, grilled onions, sliced mushrooms, jalapenos and pinto beans, the Carnitas Hot Dog topped with carnitas and guacamole and the Surf and Turf which comes with grilled shrimp, cheese and chipotle sauce. Tonella tells Eater that he plans on expanding the menu to offer a veggie hot dog, a cream cheese-topped dog, bratwurst and sausages and more sides in addition to his hot dog and carnitas-garnished nachos.