Barrio Dogg is bringing the "Xolito" dog to San Antonio paired with fires and elotitos.
Courtesy of Barrio DoggChef Pablo Rios is bringing a little bit of his barrio and the flavors southern Californians find just across the border to San Antonio, a city he felt his hot dog eatery will really fit in. Barrio Dogg is opting for the Alamo City for the second location of the hot dog restaurant, which marries a traditional weenie in a bun with flavors from Tijuana, which is just south of San Diego.
Barrio Dogg will open its first Texas location at 620 S. Presa St., San Antonio, TX 78210, the former home of vegetarian restaurant Señor Veggie. Rios, co-owner of Barrio Dogg, says the building reminded him of the location in his hometown.
"The location positions us to really share an indoor and outdoor feel for the experience that we create," Rios says. "When you come into Barrio Dogg, you're going to step into low rider culture, even if you've never been around low riders before. It's like walking into a museum."
This new version of the Barrio Dogg cart is a call back to the original built out of a 64 Impala.
Courtesy of Barrio DoggRios started Barrio Dogg in a neighborhood just outside of downtown San Diego called Barrio Logan, where he was born and raised. His dad was one of the original custom car builders and car club originators in a neighborhood steeped in low rider culture. His father helped Rios start his business by building a hot dog cart out of a 64 Impala.
In 2018, Rios and his partners erected the first brick and mortar location in Barrio Logan, but Rios said that San Antonio was a location Barrio Dogg always considered when the concept was dreamt up at a table with his wife, his compadre and comadre. Rios is brining his general manager, Francisco Garcia, to open the restaurant and his chef, Levi Dockery, to build a San Antonio team.
Barrio Dogg's interior will feature art that pulls from Chicano and low-rider cultures.
Courtesy of Barrio Dogg"If we're going to expand this brand outside of California, we want to be in a city that understands what we're doing," Rios says. "And so San Antonio, for us, was the perfect choice."
You can't see it, but the "Xolito" hot dog is wrapped in bacon.
Courtesy of Barrio DoggBarrio Dogg uses 100% Angus beef franks to create tricked out, cross-border hot dogs inspired by Mexican flavors. One of their popular hot dogs is the Tijuana style "El Xolito." The "Xolito" comes with hot dog wrapped in bacon topped with mayo, mustard, ketchup, red onion, tomatoes, chopped jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa verde, and a sriracha aioli.
The menu also offers Barrio Fries which can be ordered with the same toppings as the "Xolito" or their other dogs like the Chicago style "El Capone." You can also order fideo, nopalitos, elotitos or calabacitas as a side dish.
Rios hopes to open Barrio Dogg by this summer.