Hermosillo is the capital of Mexico's carne asada culture, and the city takes its beef seriously. The classic Sonoran parrillada involves cuts of beef — typically arrachera (skirt steak), diezmillo (chuck), or carne asada (trimmed flank) — grilled over a mesquite fire until slightly charred, then served with handmade flour tortillas, roasted onions, and a selection of salsas ranging from mild ranchera to fiercely hot chile de agua.
The best places to experience this are the large family-style parrilladas scattered throughout the city. Pitic, Los Arcos, and Sanborn's Steakhouse are well-established names, but the real discoveries are the neighbourhood spots where you order by weight and eat at plastic tables. A full meal including drinks costs around 200-350 pesos per person. This is the dish to eat in Hermosillo — the quality is noticeably higher than what you will find in central or southern Mexico.