Portillo's Hot Dogs - River North

Portillo's Hot Dogs in River North, at 100 W Ontario St in Chicago, Illinois, is the downtown outpost of a Chicago-area chain founded by Dick Portillo in 1963 as a small hot dog stand in the suburbs. It has grown into one of the city's best-known sources of Chicago street food, and the River North branch is a large, themed restaurant that draws tourists, office workers and families. The cuisine is classic Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef, served quickly from a counter. The Chicago-style hot dog is an all-beef frank on a poppy seed bun, dressed with yellow mustard, relish, chopped onion, tomato slices, a pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt, and traditionally without ketchup. The Italian beef sandwich, with thinly sliced beef soaked in au jus on a roll, is the other emblematic order, and can be requested dipped or with sweet or hot peppers. The chocolate cake is the dessert most associated with Portillo's. The dining room is spacious and busy, decorated with nostalgic memorabilia, with a loud, fast-moving, family-friendly atmosphere; dress is entirely casual. Ordering is at the counter, with food delivered to the table or taken away, and there are no reservations. The price tier is inexpensive for downtown Chicago, with sandwiches and hot dogs priced well below a sit-down meal, and the menu also includes fries, salads and shakes. Peak times are weekday lunch and weekend evenings, when lines can reach the door but move steadily. The location sits within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile and the Riverwalk, making it a convenient stop between sightseeing. It is an easy introduction to the local fast-casual canon for visitors who want to sample Chicago dogs and beef in one place.