- I ordered from Portillo's for the first time since I was a kid to see if it was still as good.
- The Chicago-style hot dog definitely holds up, and I'm glad a saved some room for a shake.
- I think the nostalgic chain lives up to the hype, and I'm definitely going back soon.
Portillo's, one of Chicago's most popular hot-dog chains, has been proudly serving diner-style fare for decades.
The chain currently has 76 locations across the Midwest, West Coast, and South in the US.
I loved Portillo's as a kid, but I haven't eaten it in years, so I wanted to see if it still lived up to the hype.
Portillo's is known for its classic, vintage aesthetic.
Portillo's has a classic diner-style aesthetic, complete with vinyl booths, counter seating, and over-the-top decor.
I have many fond memories of visiting the chain as a kid, and I would've loved to visit my local Portillo's in person. But being a mom to five small children necessitated a take-out order.
I missed the experience of enjoying my food from the comfort of a cozy booth, but Portillo's red-and-white striped packaging provided me with a wonderful dose of nostalgia.
The chain specializes in Chicago-style hot dogs.
The chain has always been famous for its classic Chicago-style hot dogs — a Vienna beef frank topped with mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, a kosher pickle spear, and sport peppers nestled inside a steamed poppy-seed bun.
Diners won't find ketchup on a Portillo's hot dog as it's akin to sacrilege in Chicago.
The sport peppers offer just the right combination of crunch and heat, and the neon-green relish really stands out. Neither are toppings you usually find outside of Chicago.
My hot dog arrived warm, not soggy, with all its toppings fully intact — a testament to Portillo's expert assembly.
From the first bite to the last, my hot dog was delicious and full of flavor. It was definitely the best Chicago-style dog I've had in years.
Portillo's crinkle-cut cheese fries were an excellent side dish.
Portillo's serves crinkle-cut french fries cooked in a blend of vegetable oil and beef tallow, which gives them a rich taste and an incredible crunch.
I ordered the cheese fries, which came with a pot of dipping sauce on the side.
They were salty, perfectly cooked, and an excellent complement to my hot dog.
When it comes to lighter offerings, the chain's chopped salad can't be beat.
I wanted something a bit greener to balance out all of my fried food, so I ordered a chopped salad, too.
Portillo's unique spin on the classic salad has an excellent blend of textures and flavors — from the crispy bacon pieces to the bold Gorgonzola cheese.
It's probably not the healthiest salad on the market, but it's definitely one of the best-tasting ones I've ever had.
It's worth saving room for Portillo's famous chocolate-cake shake.
No Portillo's order is complete without the signature chocolate-cake shake.
Unlike traditional chocolate shakes, this one has an entire slice of Portillo's chocolate cake — frosting and all — mixed in.
The milkshake was heavenly and almost too rich to finish in one sitting. Luckily, frozen leftovers make for a great snack the next day.
My meal was every bit as delicious as I remembered it, and then some.
My entire meal cost about $35, which is a competitive price for two entrées, a side dish, and a dessert.
I was thrilled to discover that Portillo's has maintained a "neighborhood diner" taste, and I'll definitely be ordering again soon.
Maybe I'll even brave a visit with my five kids in tow to enjoy the full experience.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufony1vtiipaBloKS%2FtbXLpaasZZikwW6wzqBknKCRnrtur8eimpqfn2LEsL7ToWSirF1nfXN%2FjGpo