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    Home » US Travel

    A Legendary Classic - Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago

    Published: Mar 13, 2017 by Jennifer Che

    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago

    This is the fifth post in the Weekend Trip to Chicago series. Other post include Topolobampo Chicago, Frontera Grill Chicago by Rick Bayless, and Giordano's Pizza.

    As “first time visitors” to Chicago (I would count a 2o-year hiatus as equivalent to having never visited), we felt the need to try some well-known and famous Chicago classics.

    Chicago's known for many things, such as its deep dish pizza (or stuffed deep pizza!) and the Chicago Dog. One of the most famous places to get the Chicago-style hot dog is at Portillo's, a 50+ year old business that started out as a single hot dog stand shaped like a dog house (it was called "The Dog House") back in 1963.
    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    The restaurant has now grown to almost 50 locations, mostly in Illinois but a couple around the rest of the U.S.

    Lines can get long, so try to show up early if you don't feel like waiting too long in line. We showed up around 11AM and the line was pretty manageable at that time.Portillos-Hot-Dog-Chicago-15.jpg Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    The space inside is colorful, themed, and super fun. You feel like you are outside even though you are inside. The neon lights, checkered tablecloth, and antiques definitely make the place feel like it's from another era.
    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    The classic Chicago hotdog ($2.99) has a beef Vienna hot dog inside a poppyseed bun filled with green relish, yellow mustard, fresh tomatoes, raw onions, a Kosher pickle, pickled hot peppers, and celery salt.
    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    The Char-grilled Maxwell Street Style Polish hot dog ($4.29) is grilled in the traditional way it was done on historic Maxwell Street and prepared with mustard and grilled onions.
    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    The Chili Cheese Dog ($3.49), which comes with onions, is gloriously messy to eat.
    Portillos-Hot-Dog-Chicago-7.jpg
    Italian Beef Sandwich ($5.75), self proclaimed as "Chicago's #1 Italian Beef Sandwich", is served on baked French bread and made according to Portillo's own "famous recipe."
    Portillos-Hot-Dog-Chicago-2.jpg
    If you're really trying to be healthy, you can order a variety of salads, including the Gourmet Garden Salad ($5.09), which is fine, fresh, and healthy, but nothing particularly special.
    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    In general, Portillo's is a fun place to visit. Yes, a bit touristy for sure, but full of character. I had fun walking around and just looking at all the crazy scenes on the walls. I enjoyed the hot dogs as well as the Italian beef sandwich. All in all, food is great and we had a fun and enjoyable lunch. Prices are reasonable and the line moves quickly.

    It's no wonder this place is as popular as it is.
    Portillos-Hot-Dog-Chicago-9.jpg

    Portillo's Hot Dog Chicago
    *  Multiple Locations *

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    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen
    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

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