LTH Home

Chicago Hot Dogs for Tourists

Chicago Hot Dogs for Tourists
  • Forum HomePost Reply BackTop
    Page 5 of 7
  • Post #121 - August 19th, 2008, 8:39 am
    Post #121 - August 19th, 2008, 8:39 am Post #121 - August 19th, 2008, 8:39 am
    :arrow:
    Last edited by chicagostyledog on September 9th, 2008, 5:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
    Mark A Reitman, PhD
    Professor of Hot Dogs
    Hot Dog University/Vienna Beef
  • Post #122 - August 19th, 2008, 10:59 am
    Post #122 - August 19th, 2008, 10:59 am Post #122 - August 19th, 2008, 10:59 am
    When people speak of a hot dog change at Portillo's, I think they mean the size has changed. The hot dogs are still made by Vienna.
  • Post #123 - August 19th, 2008, 11:57 am
    Post #123 - August 19th, 2008, 11:57 am Post #123 - August 19th, 2008, 11:57 am
    My kids had Portillo's dogs on Sunday. The dogs were longer, but they no longer had the snap and the texture was kind of mealy. I tossed the remainder of my son's dog. I've always liked Portillo's dogs, but I won't eat one again if this is what they have become. These also tasted a bit saltier than usual as well.
  • Post #124 - August 19th, 2008, 12:02 pm
    Post #124 - August 19th, 2008, 12:02 pm Post #124 - August 19th, 2008, 12:02 pm
    beefsandwich1 wrote:When people speak of a hot dog change at Portillo's, I think they mean the size has changed. The hot dogs are still made by Vienna.


    The standard length of a Vienna Beef hot dog sold at Chicago hot dog stands is 6". Portillo's uses a 7" dog.
    Mark A Reitman, PhD
    Professor of Hot Dogs
    Hot Dog University/Vienna Beef
  • Post #125 - August 19th, 2008, 12:26 pm
    Post #125 - August 19th, 2008, 12:26 pm Post #125 - August 19th, 2008, 12:26 pm
    chicagostyledog wrote:
    djenks wrote:
    PortPkPaul wrote:A co-worker says that Portillo's has switched to a vastly inferior dog recently, and I saw a similar comment on another site. Is this true?


    yes, this is true. Although, i would say that its the type of people on the LTH forum that would notice it - not necessarily a tourist.

    This is relatively recently, as well. I remember having a conversation with someone on here probably 6 or 8 months back on the topic of Portillos' hot dog change - so it's recent but not yesterday.


    Your information is totally inaccurate and incorrect. Vienna Beef is making Portillo hot dogs. In fact, Portillo's recently took a public ad declaring 45 years of serving Vienna Beef's hot dogs. I train people seeking to open their own hot dog stand at Vienna Beef and take students on factory tours, including daily factory kitchen taste panels.


    :lol: The information I got was from my mouth. The confirmation that i got was from a phone call to Portillo's corporate. Someone else on this board called as well and posted it up.

    Not only did they confirm the change, but it's been widely discussed here on LTH. For someone who holds hot dog taste panels, have you not noticed a decline in the quality of a portillo's hot dog?

    My information is, quite ironically, accurate AND correct.
  • Post #126 - August 19th, 2008, 1:08 pm
    Post #126 - August 19th, 2008, 1:08 pm Post #126 - August 19th, 2008, 1:08 pm
    growing up in the suburbs, we ate Portillos alot, I have been eating Portillo's hot dogs for over 30 years & the hotdogs have changed, and for the worse in my humble opinion.

    With that said I am still addicted to their chili dogs.
  • Post #127 - August 19th, 2008, 2:03 pm
    Post #127 - August 19th, 2008, 2:03 pm Post #127 - August 19th, 2008, 2:03 pm
    We must have courage, faith, and hot dogs together sometime soon.
    Last edited by chicagostyledog on October 11th, 2008, 10:00 am, edited 2 times in total.
    Mark A Reitman, PhD
    Professor of Hot Dogs
    Hot Dog University/Vienna Beef
  • Post #128 - August 19th, 2008, 3:24 pm
    Post #128 - August 19th, 2008, 3:24 pm Post #128 - August 19th, 2008, 3:24 pm
    C'mon, folks, please be respectful of one another. I just finished reading through this recent exchange, and while I understand tensions can run high when it comes to pizza, hot dogs, BBQ, and our other beloved food treasures, please let's keep the conversation, um, conversational.

    Frankly, I don't really see much substantive disagreement here. Some have noticed a change in the taste of Portillo's sausage, others haven't. Some aspects may have changed over time, others haven't. Posters are free to comment on stuff they have a relationship, as long as they disclose it. Use that information to evaluate their opinion appropriately.

    I usually get Italian beef at Portillo's. I did try a dog and fries at Mister J's Dawg & Burgers the other day, and it was not very good. Don't send tourists there.

    Mister J's Dawg & Burgers
    822 N. State Street
    Chicago, IL 60610
    (312) 943-4679
  • Post #129 - August 20th, 2008, 2:45 am
    Post #129 - August 20th, 2008, 2:45 am Post #129 - August 20th, 2008, 2:45 am
    chicagostyledog wrote:
    djenks wrote:
    PortPkPaul wrote:A co-worker says that Portillo's has switched to a vastly inferior dog recently, and I saw a similar comment on another site. Is this true?


    yes, this is true. Although, i would say that its the type of people on the LTH forum that would notice it - not necessarily a tourist.

    This is relatively recently, as well. I remember having a conversation with someone on here probably 6 or 8 months back on the topic of Portillos' hot dog change - so it's recent but not yesterday.


    Your information is totally inaccurate and incorrect. Vienna Beef is making Portillo hot dogs. In fact, Portillo's recently took a public ad declaring 45 years of serving Vienna Beef's hot dogs. I train people seeking to open their own hot dog stand at Vienna Beef and take students on factory tours, including daily factory kitchen taste panels.


    Here's my comment from last year about Portillo's
    viewtopic.php?p=122857#p122857

    I had a couple of their dogs last week. They where slightly longer, thinner and had more of a saltier and smokier taste. Also missing is the "snap" . Not good and definitely NOT Vienna.
    Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Spaghetti and Meatballs! (Beauregard Burnside III)
  • Post #130 - August 24th, 2008, 8:55 am
    Post #130 - August 24th, 2008, 8:55 am Post #130 - August 24th, 2008, 8:55 am
    Trader's Dogs on Clinton just north of Union Station is the best I've found. Open Mon thru Sat it has natural casing, is cooked perfectly and could be a model for the Vienna Chicago Dog ingredients poster pictured earlier in this thread. Also, a fine pulled pork sandwich, which on Friday comes with soda and crispy-on-the-outside-flaky-on-the-inside fries in a brown paper bag for only $5.99. TD does a big lunch biz. Trader's is very small and is next to the Panda Chinese place. Fast-tracks dogs I tried were mushy inside. Portillo's casing is like plastic i think.
  • Post #131 - August 26th, 2008, 6:17 am
    Post #131 - August 26th, 2008, 6:17 am Post #131 - August 26th, 2008, 6:17 am
    LTH,

    Portillo's Skokie drive thru was hopping yesterday lunch. Lengthy line of cars with three employees working the queue, one taking orders, one money and the third expediting from the drive thru window to cars in line. Very efficient.

    Hot dog slightly extended from the steamed poppy seed bun on both sides, natural casing Vienna* with slight snap and mild flavor. Everything included relish, onion, mustard, tomato, celery salt, pickle and sport peppers, though, as is my habit no matter the hot dog stand, I specifically mentioned sport peppers.

    Crisp crinkle cut food service fries and a medium soda rounded out my order, $5.70 including tax, not the deal of the week, but well within reason. I had not been to a Portillio's in years and am unable to make a dog to dog comparison and, while not up to the more aggressive flavor and clean juicy snap of Jimmy's, Poochie's or the Wolfy's I had for dinner last evening, a very acceptable hot dog firmly in the Chicago tradition.

    Enjoy,
    Gary

    *I did not ask, nor see shipping boxes, but if I was guessing, and I am, I would guess the Skokie Portillio's hot dog I ate was made by Vienna Beef.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #132 - August 26th, 2008, 8:23 pm
    Post #132 - August 26th, 2008, 8:23 pm Post #132 - August 26th, 2008, 8:23 pm
    :arrow:
    Last edited by chicagostyledog on September 9th, 2008, 5:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
    Mark A Reitman, PhD
    Professor of Hot Dogs
    Hot Dog University/Vienna Beef
  • Post #133 - August 27th, 2008, 10:52 pm
    Post #133 - August 27th, 2008, 10:52 pm Post #133 - August 27th, 2008, 10:52 pm
    chicagostyledog wrote:You are correct, sir.

    CSD,

    Nice picture of two smiling fellows, but I don't see how it proves or disproves my supposition re Portillio's/Vienna.

    Enjoy,
    Gary
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #134 - August 28th, 2008, 9:18 am
    Post #134 - August 28th, 2008, 9:18 am Post #134 - August 28th, 2008, 9:18 am
    G Wiv wrote:CSD,

    Nice picture of two smiling fellows, but I don't see how it proves or disproves my supposition re Portillio's/Vienna.

    Enjoy,
    Gary

    I believe (as you may know as well) that that's a photo of CSD and Dick Portillo, which I assume CSD is using to intimate that he's confirmed the provenance of the dogs with the man himself.
  • Post #135 - September 7th, 2008, 9:06 am
    Post #135 - September 7th, 2008, 9:06 am Post #135 - September 7th, 2008, 9:06 am
    Where is there a good hot dog joint on the north shore ?
  • Post #136 - September 7th, 2008, 7:48 pm
    Post #136 - September 7th, 2008, 7:48 pm Post #136 - September 7th, 2008, 7:48 pm
    smokeandeatit wrote:Where is there a good hot dog joint on the north shore ?


    I'll start in Evanston and work my way north. The following stands are the ones that I consider worth patronizing. They are either on the North Shore proper as they are located in a suburb which abuts the lake or are located in a suburb just west of the same.

    Evanston

    Weiner and Still Champion
    802 Dempster St
    Evanston, IL, 60202
    (847) 869-0100
    GNR award-winning favorite of this board. Excellent hot dog in the traditional chicago style. IMHO What really really shines here are the unparalleled french fries and corn dogs with homemade dipping sauce.

    Mustard's Last Stand
    1613 Central Street
    Evanston, IL, 60201
    (847) 864-2700
    a Northwestern and evanston institution in the shade of Dyche Stadium.

    Skokie

    Poochies
    802 Dempster St
    Evanston, IL, 60202
    (847) 869-0100
    Great dogs and killer cheese fries.
    Notable Char Salami.

    Portillo's
    9400 Skokie Boulevard
    Skokie, IL, 60076
    (847) 933-0700
    Corporate dog maligned by many but will do in a pinch when you need a dog late or just want a drive thru z

    Herm's Hot Dog Palace
    3406 Dempster St
    Skokie, IL 60076
    847-673-9757
    Herm's spacious, by hot dog stand standards, seating, well managed natural casing Vienna hot dogs and crisp thin fries (Per GWiv)



    Wilmette

    Irvings for Red Hot Lovers
    3207 Lake Avenue
    Wilmette, IL, 60091
    (847) 251-6300
    Used to be a favorite of mine but has declined over the years since Irving died. Still a serviceable dog.

    The Chuck Wagon (Sams)
    1120 Central Avenue
    Wilmette, IL, 60091
    (847) 256-0120
    Im not sure they even serve hot dogs here (do you need to serve hot dogs to be a hot dog stand?) Outstanding burgers, gyros and burgers topped with gyros as well as great fries. A Wilmette institution.

    Glenview

    fRedhots & Fries
    1707 Chestnut Ave
    Glenview, IL, 60025
    (847) 657-9200
    New arrival and GNR award recipient. Exotic dogs, great fries with dipping sauces.

    Northbrook

    Little Louie's Red Hots
    1342 Shermer Rd
    (at Meadow Rd)
    Northbrook, IL 60062
    (847) 498-1033
    Old school greasy goodness. The Fries are very good.

    Ira's
    873 Sanders Rd
    Northbrook, IL 60062
    (847) 272-1177
    Very high quality, though lacking in radioactive-green relish. (per Joelf)


    Highland Park

    Michael's
    1879 2nd St
    Highland Park, IL, 60035
    (847) 432-3338
    Hot dog emporium that has grown from a small counter in the 70s to a mega-stand serving dogs, fries and everything in between. I find Michael's to be consistently good, not perfect.

    Stash's
    610 Central Ave
    Highland Park, IL, 60035
    (847) 432-6550
    When Stash owned the restaurant it was much better but the fries are still pretty good. Huge menu.

    Deerfield

    Cooker's
    469 Lake Cook Rd
    Deerfield, IL, 60015
    (847) 897-5880
    Solid dog and fries included. Lots of parking, kinda outta the way in a strip mall on Lake Cook

    Dear Franks
    843 Waukegan Rd
    Deerfield, IL, 60015
    (847) 945-6666
    At one time this stand was excellent but has declined in recent years. Notable for the fact that they serve Sherman's Ice Cream.

    Lake Forest

    The Left Bank
    659 N Bank Ln
    Lake Forest, IL, 60045
    (847) 234-4770

    This is not a traditional Chicago style hot dog stand. They serve Chili Dogs, Polish and Sloppy Joes. I am pretty sure the dogs are skinless which is not my fav but the place is worth peeking into if you are hungry.

    I hope this helps.
    Last edited by iblock9 on September 12th, 2008, 4:46 pm, edited 5 times in total.
  • Post #137 - September 8th, 2008, 7:37 am
    Post #137 - September 8th, 2008, 7:37 am Post #137 - September 8th, 2008, 7:37 am
    A couple more:
    While some here argue whether Northbrook is North Shore, we've got Little Louie's already, so might as well list Ira's, although its west-border-of-Northbrook position makes it even less North Shore

    Ira's
    873 Sanders Rd
    Northbrook, IL 60062
    (847) 272-1177
    Very high quality, though lacking in radioactive-green relish.

    Hmm... I was going to list the Hot Dog Island in Skokie, but apparently it's gone.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #138 - September 12th, 2008, 7:16 am
    Post #138 - September 12th, 2008, 7:16 am Post #138 - September 12th, 2008, 7:16 am
    iblock9 wrote:I'll start in Evanston and work my way north.

    Iblock9,

    Nice list, though I'd add Herm's in Skokie which I prefer over Poochie's for straight-up steamed hot dogs and Portillo's in general. Don't get me wrong, Poochie's is a great hot dog stand, the Char Salami w/grilled onions, mustard, sport pepper is a destination worthy sandwich and the hand-cut skin-on fries are preferable to Herm's skinny food service, though Herm's hits crisp fries on the nose every time, which is important to me.

    Herm's spacious, by hot dog stand standards, seating, well managed natural casing Vienna hot dogs and crisp thin fries make it my typical choice on the stretch of Dempster, unless of course I'm in the mood for char salami.

    Enjoy,
    Gary

    Herm's Hot Dog Palace
    3406 Dempster St
    Skokie, IL 60076
    847-673-9757
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #139 - September 12th, 2008, 7:23 am
    Post #139 - September 12th, 2008, 7:23 am Post #139 - September 12th, 2008, 7:23 am
    G Wiv wrote:Herm's spacious, by hot dog stand standards, seating, well managed natural casing Vienna hot dogs and crisp thin fries make it my typical choice on the stretch of Dempster, unless of course I'm in the mood for char salami.


    I agree, Wiv. Poochies a burgers or salami. Herms for a red hot.

    And I'm not opposed to hitting up both spots during the same meal.

    In fact, I have fond memories of being picked up by my dad from the bus that dropped us off after the end of summer camp. After 8 weeks of camp mess hall dining, I wanted good food. Dempster was part of our route home, and it became a tradition every year to split a char salami at Poochies and then stop at Herms for a couple of dogs as we drove east.

    Best,
    Michael
  • Post #140 - September 12th, 2008, 11:01 am
    Post #140 - September 12th, 2008, 11:01 am Post #140 - September 12th, 2008, 11:01 am
    something is definitely wrong/different about the Portillo's hotdogs. After 2 straight days of having them from the Willowbrook location for lunch I am considering writing off Portillo's hot dogs forever. :(

    Yesterdays hot dog, with everything on it including giardinara was decent, but where has the flavor of the hot dog gone? Today I had to try again, one chili dog with cheese and onions, and one hot dog everything. The chili dog had no pop to the skin, and the meat inside was dense, and tough. The hot dog faired a little better, but was of a similar texture. Both lacked flavor.

    a sad turn of events.
  • Post #141 - September 14th, 2008, 4:21 pm
    Post #141 - September 14th, 2008, 4:21 pm Post #141 - September 14th, 2008, 4:21 pm
    eatchicago wrote:and it became a tradition every year to split a char salami at Poochies and then stop at Herms for a couple of dogs as we drove east.

    What a nice welcome home, on a number of counts
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #142 - September 25th, 2008, 10:10 pm
    Post #142 - September 25th, 2008, 10:10 pm Post #142 - September 25th, 2008, 10:10 pm
    Binko wrote:Green pepper? :shock:

    Who does this? The only place I could think of off the top of my head that goes beyond the "standard enhanced" is Byron's. And they don't do green pepper, do they?



    Yes they do as I found out yesterday. I did not like.
  • Post #143 - September 25th, 2008, 10:25 pm
    Post #143 - September 25th, 2008, 10:25 pm Post #143 - September 25th, 2008, 10:25 pm
    jimswside wrote:something is definitely wrong/different about the Portillo's hotdogs. After 2 straight days of having them from the Willowbrook location for lunch I am considering writing off Portillo's hot dogs forever. :(

    Incidentally, I called the media inquiries person at Portillo's HQ a couple of weeks back to ask about the dogs and received a return call within the hour. While, as noted upthread, there was a change in the dog's length quite some time ago, they insist that there has been no change whatsoever in recipe or supplier. I'm not conspiratorially-minded so I'm inclined to take that at face value (and if there is, indeed, a difference, other factors could certainly be at work). And while I undersand others might not, I figured I'd pass it along.
    Dominic Armato
    Dining Critic
    The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com
  • Post #144 - September 25th, 2008, 11:22 pm
    Post #144 - September 25th, 2008, 11:22 pm Post #144 - September 25th, 2008, 11:22 pm
    Sauganaut wrote:
    Binko wrote:Green pepper? :shock:

    Who does this? The only place I could think of off the top of my head that goes beyond the "standard enhanced" is Byron's. And they don't do green pepper, do they?



    Yes they do as I found out yesterday. I did not like.


    Well how 'bout that. I guess that explains why I haven't been back to Byron's in over four years.
  • Post #145 - September 26th, 2008, 6:57 am
    Post #145 - September 26th, 2008, 6:57 am Post #145 - September 26th, 2008, 6:57 am
    Is Byron's the place that puts lettuce on their hotdogs too?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #146 - September 26th, 2008, 7:23 am
    Post #146 - September 26th, 2008, 7:23 am Post #146 - September 26th, 2008, 7:23 am
    Dmnkly wrote:
    jimswside wrote:something is definitely wrong/different about the Portillo's hotdogs. After 2 straight days of having them from the Willowbrook location for lunch I am considering writing off Portillo's hot dogs forever. :(

    Incidentally, I called the media inquiries person at Portillo's HQ a couple of weeks back to ask about the dogs and received a return call within the hour. While, as noted upthread, there was a change in the dog's length quite some time ago, they insist that there has been no change whatsoever in recipe or supplier. I'm not conspiratorially-minded so I'm inclined to take that at face value (and if there is, indeed, a difference, other factors could certainly be at work). And while I undersand others might not, I figured I'd pass it along.


    thanks.

    I wonder if withthe change in length of the hotdogs also came a change in diamater that explains some of the texture issues I have run into? I also have noticed the quality of product served differs by location(weird tasting, overcooked beef, tough hotdogs, undercooked italian sausage, etc.. so perhaps the human element is coming into play as they expand, and cannot control quality as much as a smaller operation.
  • Post #147 - October 10th, 2008, 4:03 pm
    Post #147 - October 10th, 2008, 4:03 pm Post #147 - October 10th, 2008, 4:03 pm
    For the record, I just had my very first Chicago dog from Downtown Dogs (brought to me as I was waiting for some silly retail event), and even if the casing wasn't snappy, it had all of the other proper elements and was darned tasty.

    :-)

    A "salad on a hotdog" is way more my style than the crazy chili-cheese concoctions they do on the east coast.

    But I might have to find a Superdawg now.
  • Post #148 - October 10th, 2008, 10:29 pm
    Post #148 - October 10th, 2008, 10:29 pm Post #148 - October 10th, 2008, 10:29 pm
    Just curious, has Gene and Jude's reopened from the flooding? I grew up eating Nana's hotdogs in Streamwood back in the late 70's and was amazingly pleased to see that while Nana's has gone through multiple owner changes and quaity shifts through the years, Gene and Jude's is an exact replica of what I remember as a youth (yeah, yeah, I know that Nana's was a replica of Gene & Jude's, but that is not my point!!).

    Anyways... Any updates as to the status of G & J?
  • Post #149 - October 11th, 2008, 1:42 am
    Post #149 - October 11th, 2008, 1:42 am Post #149 - October 11th, 2008, 1:42 am
    Tortfeasor wrote:Just curious, has Gene and Jude's reopened from the flooding? I grew up eating Nana's hotdogs in Streamwood back in the late 70's and was amazingly pleased to see that while Nana's has gone through multiple owner changes and quaity shifts through the years, Gene and Jude's is an exact replica of what I remember as a youth (yeah, yeah, I know that Nana's was a replica of Gene & Jude's, but that is not my point!!).

    Anyways... Any updates as to the status of G & J?


    Wide open. I ate there last Monday. It's like nothing ever happened...except that they now sell Coke and not Pepsi.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #150 - October 11th, 2008, 5:48 am
    Post #150 - October 11th, 2008, 5:48 am Post #150 - October 11th, 2008, 5:48 am
    stevez wrote:except that they now sell Coke and not Pepsi.


    This is joyous news!

Contact

About

Team

Advertize

Close

Chat

Articles

Guide

Events

more