Take a step into the world of Chicago food culture. When you enter a Portillo’s, you’re greeted with extravagant retro decorations, mouthwatering scents, and, of course, delicious food.
Portillo’s is a Chicago fast food chain serving up dishes from hot dogs and Italian beef, to burgers and shakes. With 35 locations across the country, most of the Portillo’s are concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area. Unlike many other fast food chains, every Portillo’s is decorated differently, but to the max. They look like a hybrid between a wacky museum and a restaurant.
Beloved by locals and tourists alike — Portillo’s is the ideal place to try an authentic taste of Chicago foods. Here’s what you should order when you visit.
Hot Dog
As expected, Portillo’s serves a traditional Chicago-style hot dog with “everything” on it. “Everything” to Chicagoans means mustard, relish, celery salt, onion, tomato, pickles, and sport peppers — all on a poppy seed bun. It’s important to eat your Chicago dog without omitting any of its ingredients. It’s also a no-go to add ketchup onto your hot dog, as Chicagoans would call that a disgrace…