Chicago: Portillo's

I dragged my family to Christkindlmarket to introduce them to something special about Chicago during the holidays...aaand they just weren't very interested. So an impromptu Plan B was Portillo's for some Chicago style hot dogs:



Stepping into Portillo's always makes me feel like walking through the entire Vegas strip...crammed into one building:

This particular Portillo's is a combination of Portillo's and Barnelli's. Depending on what you're in the mood for (hot dogs and burgers or pasta), you get into different lines. Portillo's is like a well-oiled machine. You're told to grab menus on your way in and people write down your order on a paper bag while you're still standing in line. When you get to the cashier, you just hand them the bag for them to ring you up. After paying, you move down to the pick-up counter where this awesome chick sings (yes, sings!) out your number when your food is ready.

We each ordered a hot dog:

A Chicago dog comes with mustard, relish, onions, pickle, and peppers on a poppy seed bun. No ketchup in sight. There should also be tomatoes (if I remember correctly) but for some reason, we didn't get any.

French fries for filler:

I've had better hot dogs, but Portillo's is cheap and oh so accessible from downtown. Much easier to take guests to than Hot Doug's.


Portillo's
100 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 587-8910
http://www.portillos.com/