Portillo's Hot Dogs

[samurainoir]

Right across the street from Mego Meet. we ate here for lunch every single day.
My favourite was "The Combo" Beef and Italian Sausage in one.

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[pmwasson]

I'm glad I made it there Saturday night!

[palitoy]

I'll admit, I kind of got more excited about the Meet when I discovered we were across the street from the place. I've been craving it for years.

[VintageMike]

I was actually embarrassed to order any hot dogs plain, so I had burgers both times instead. They are amazing, among the best I've ever had. The crowds there were insane and it's a tribute to the place that unless you ordered ribs (more than one person has story about that this year) the food came relatively quickly.

[drquest]

Portillos is quite good, and they have several of those in Chicago, and their buildings are all themed differently.

You can also mail order some of your favorites and they will overnight them to you.

http://shop.portillos.com/store/index.asp?DEPARTMENT_ID=25

[Donkey Hoatie]

Totally agree about the combo option samurainoir. I've had way too many of them in my lifetime, as evidenced by my T2 fatbody frame. Still working on getting back to a regular T2, but living 15 minutes away from this place is not helpful in the least.

When I was leaving the meet on Saturday, I texted my wife and daughter asking if they wanted anything. I could practically feel the tears of joy coming through as they sent me their orders. For anyone who was at the meet who didn't eat at Portillo's at least once, you are now legally bound to come back next year and have it. Those are the rules and they are inflexible.

[samurainoir]

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The line-ups through the drive-through were pretty spectacular. I'm not sure who experienced this (Tom?) but it would be interesting to see how quickly you could get through their, and the number of employees they had in the drive-through chute was pretty impressive.

[wyatterb]

I had about a 15 minute wait going through the drive up on Saturday around 12:30. They had 3 people outside.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

Oh man the drive thru at Portillo's is ALWAYS insane, I drive past the one in Oak Lawn on a daily basis and at any point between Noon and 10 p.m. it's always packed, seven days a week. Even if I am doing take-out, I always just go inside and order. I'm silly like that I guess, LOL.

I've been trying to stick to my diet for a while now, but I totally blew it this past weekend, especially Saturday. I had a hotdog from Portillo's for lunch that day, and then ate a Roast Beef sandwich AND a maxwell street Polish for dinner (*hangs head in shame*) Since then I've tried sticking to salads! But hey, it was Mego Meet, where things like dietary restrictions and being careful about spending money just go out the window for a couple of days (gladly!)

I have honestly never had the ribs from Portillo's. Other than waiting forever for them to be served, how were they?

[Random Axe]

Ribs fell off the bone and had a much sweeter sauce than I am used to but they were very good and a value for a full rack at 16 dollars.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

Good to know, I prefer a sweeter sauce! (No wisecracks, bub :smiley1: )

[Mego Milk]

mouth watering photos.

[Toyman_Chris]

The Italian Beef is AMAZING!!!

[Random Axe]

I'm considering driving back up there, get a room for a day, and eat three meals there and then drive home the following day. Yes it's all that good, folks.

[Toyman_Chris]

I'm considering driving back up there, get a room for a day, and eat three meals there and then drive home the following day. Yes it's all that good, folks.

Let me know, I will meet you there

:drool_y:

[rche]

fine fine Chi dog on Sunday for a late breakfast. yep :hokay:

[SentientApe]

There are two locations somewhat equidistant from me (further west into the Chicago suburbs), and it is so tempting... every time...

One of these -- the closer to me -- has twin drive-through lanes and, a few weeks ago (while I sat inside), I watched an incredibly coordinated team of servers tirelessly deal with the seemingly endless two lines of cars. They did an amazing amount of business while I was there .

[cjefferys]

Yeah, Ed and I had lunch there every day during the Meet! Their chili dogs and onion rings were awesome! And the drive through line ups were nuts, I've never seen anything like it!

[ScottA]

Had lunch and dinner there. The double-cheese burger was excellent. And the ribs were just awesome.

[samurainoir]

Yeah, Ed and I had lunch there every day during the Meet! Their chili dogs and onion rings were awesome! And the drive through line ups were nuts, I've never seen anything like it!

It was a little strange to not to hit Ted's on the way home, but Three days of Portillo's Hot Dogs were more than good consolation.

[cjefferys]

I don't think I could have handled Ted's after all that! But I'm sure we will have an opportunity to go there this summer!

[Evel KMego]

I always get the Maxwell Street polish sausage. I first found out about Portillo's when I went to my first Kane county toy show over a decade ago. They have several locations around the Chicago area. I was elated to see one by the hotel!!!!

[Donkey Hoatie]

Slowly, but surely, Portillo's is expanding. About a year ago, they opened one up in the Phoenix area. My best friend from childhood, who has been living out there for about a decade, nearly wept with joy.

Right now, it's mostly Illinois with a couple in CA, AZ, and IN. Good, reasonably priced, and fast. Definitely lucky to live within 5 miles of two different ones.