He was a waiter at Micha’s restaurant on South Fourth Avenue from 1983-93 and said he always told coworkers that one day they’d be eating at one of his restaurants.
El Güero Canelo began with a food cart in 1993. The cart is on display at the Oracle Road location, noting that’s where it all started.
El Güero Canelo
After marrying his wife Blanca in 1987, Contreras bought his first food cart in 1993, selling Sonoran hot dogs before opening a brick-and-mortar shop.
Following the original location on 12th Avenue, Contreras opened the Oracle Road restaurant in 2005 and the 22nd Street one in 2011.
In 2018, El Güero Canelo won the coveted James Beard Award given to pioneers in the gourmet food world.
Contreras told the Star at the time that when he got the call, he had never heard of such an award.
Known for their James Beard Award-winning Sonoran hot dogs, El Güero Canelo restaurants are for sale.
Star file, 2025
“They asked me for information, and they asked me for this and that, and I said, ‘Wait a minute, I don’t even know who you are and you want my Social Security number. No way, man,’” he told the Star at the time.
The sales memorandum for the properties cites the stores’ locations in high-traffic areas, featuring solar power systems and a staff of 90 experienced employees.
Growth opportunities, the memorandum states, include adding beer and liquor sales and possible franchising opportunities.
“The success I’ve had,” Contreras said, “is to be loved by so many people.”
Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at grico@tucson.com
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Dining and Cooking