Since Chicago is known for the Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef sandwich, I knew I had to try…read moreboth while in town. Fortunately Portillo's offers both and it was recommended by locals and previous travelers to make this my one restaurant to try both. I arrived on foot on a Saturday before 10pm and there was a long line to order on the kiosks and a security guard by the door. The restaurant has two floors of seating with dated decor all around, assumingly part of the intended vibe of the establishment. The first floor seating was all taken but there were plenty of tables available on the second floor. I was able to try Portillo's hot dog and Italian beef sandwich. The hot dog included mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, pickle, and peppers on a poppy seed bun. The paper wrapper was strategically wrapped around the Chicago dog inside out, knowing that the logo would be clearly visible when people take pictures of the unwrapped hot dog. I ordered a regular hot dog but probably should've ordered a jumbo hot dog for a dollar more since then regular was tiny; for comparison it was definitely smaller than a Costco hot dog. Although the toppings complemented the hot dog well, the bun was soggy from being wrapped in the paper for only a few minutes. The standard big Italian beef sandwich (slightly wet) was much larger for more than double the price of the hot dog, with no Portillo's branding on that wrapper. I was a little too excited to order this that I forgot to add sweet and hot peppers, but the sandwich still tasted very good. After ordering I realized I probably should've ordered the gravy on the side so I can dip the sandwich more, but again it was still very good. For dessert I tried the lemon cake slice and strawberry shortcake. The lemon cake was a little dry and really sweet and the strawberry shortcake had a little too much mascarpone cheese whipped topping for my liking, but of course I didn't have to finish it all. Portillo's is a good option for casual fast food and for travelers to try. I definitely prefer the Italian beef sandwich over the Chicago dog, but that is my personal preference. For a sweet treat, the strawberry shortcake is a nice option if no other dessert places are nearby. To save time during peak hours, it may be a good idea to order ahead on the mobile app.

Don't order from here. First they send your order to another location…read more Then when I figured that out and cancelled and lost money they sent part of the order. They said they would credit me and never did. Awful service. So disappointed in them.

When I heard about a joint known for its pork chop sandwiches, I was intrigued but also skeptical…read more Would the pork chop be tender enough to work in a sandwich? The answer is absolutely. This is one magnificent sandwich. The pork chop is indeed super tender and super flavorful, and it's enhanced by the copious sautéed onions. The soft, fresh bread is the perfect vehicle for the whole thing. Oh, and the included fries are excellent, as well. I really, truly wish we had places like this in Canada. It's just so different and so good.

Excellent polish sausage. Check your order as they forgot to give us fries. We ordered four…read moresandwiches. We also got two orders of the banana pudding. Also very good.

No no no; just don't. Over $50 and the food sucked. Like really really bad. Hot dog bun rock hard,…read moreItalian beef with unmelted cheese and peppers even tho ordered without. Pizza slice old and smaller than a slice from a gas station. Fries were cold and greasy and 4.5 for a bottle of coke. Never again- expensive mistake you don't have to make.

In front of the Shedd Aquarium there is a Food stand, named Museum Campus Cafe, serves Hot dogs,…read moreBurgers, Pizzas, Snacks and Ice creams. It was nice refreshing breezing sunny early summer day, great season to eat outside. I ordered My first Chicago style Hot dog $3.95. They served me in less than 1 minute. Wow... Chicago hot dog is super fast food. My first Chicago style Hot dog came with Chips. Onions, Tomatoes, Sport peppers and huge pickle on top of the beef frankfurter and poppy seeds are sprinkled on top of the buns. Looks bit Ugly and not delicious thought, It was....mmm really yummy more than my anticipation. May be better than tiny cheap New yorker vendor's one. But, watch out, it's really "HOT" dog!!

Very good tamales, red pork, green chicken & jalapeño & cheese. They also have elotes. Nice hard…read moreworking Nice set up w/a covered enclosure on the SE corner of Christiana & 26th street right outside of Cermak fresh market. Family run business w/mama, papa (salesman) & daughter

Such a great option for lunch when you are at 12th st beach…read more The food is pretty good, the service is quick and the staff is nice. My daughter and I had a little beach day and at lunchtime we ordered a plain cheeseburger and their chicken tenders and fries. The food was good, exactly what you'd expect from a beachside food stall. I love that there is a bit of seating right next to it, but my guess is most sit and eat on the sand. The prices are a bit high but nothing too crazy. We will for sure order here again on our next beach day.

We came here for lunch after spending some time in the Field museum. It has plenty of picnic tables…read moreout at the front. It's also right next to the public bathroom. So it's pretty convenient. Food wise we got the beef quesadilla and al pastor nacho. The total came down to about $28. Beef quesadilla was ok. Al pastor nacho had little meat inside. I forgot I ordered Al pastor until James mentioned it because I didn't see any meat until the bottom of the paper bowl. The taste was ok. I guess you can't expect too much from a food stand like this.

If you're looking for a Chicago Italian beef experience, Al's Beef absolutely delivers. I ordered…read morethe Italian Beef sandwich, dipped with hot peppers, and it was phenomenal. The beef was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, while the gravy-soaked bread held up perfectly without becoming too soggy. Every bite had the perfect balance of savory beef, spices, and a little kick from the peppers. The the service was witty and quick, and the atmosphere felt authentically Chicago. Whether you're a local or just visiting the city, this is a must-try spot. I can see why Al's Beef has such a strong reputation. I'll definitely be back for another sandwich the next time I'm in Chicago.

I'm a huge Italian beef fan, and J've had countless Italian beef's from Chicago; however, this one…read morewas not hitting the spot for me sadly. The Italian beef tasted really oil and greasy, so it masked the flavor of the beef. Additionally, I usually love giardiniera, but it just tasted off and had such a strong celery taste to it. The hotdog and fries were very good though and had just the right amount of saltiness to it. The service was okay; they took my order very quick and had the food out within a few minutes. The ambiance seemed simple and more like a to-go food spot. It's nice that there's a small parking lot and right on Taylor Street. I would definitely give it a try if you're in the mood for something quick.

I had the best experience at this place. The food was absolutely delicious... i tried their Chicago…read moredogs, Chicago sliders, tater tots, and shakes! I stayed in CHICAGO for 7 days and i visited this place all 7 days. I wish we had a location in Southern California! P.S. the service was superb as well! Very fried my staff!

Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed it was full of people and upbeat music was playing. I was…read moreimmediately drawn to their digital menu board. After seeing their vegan options, I was happy to see that they offer vegan hot dogs made two ways but sad that their fries and tater tots are cooked in beef tallow, and surprised that the hot dogs were $7.00 which might be too expensive for some people. After we ordered a vegan Chicago dog with a soda for me and a vegan Chicago dog with a bucket of fries for hubby, our food was quickly prepared and delivered. Although my vegan hot dog was cooked well, I was slightly annoyed at how quickly the dog fell out of the bun and the large amount of neon green relish which minimize the other flavors of the hot dog. Likewise, I was saddened and surprised and that none of their sides (fries and tater tots) are vegan friendly since they cook these items in beef tallow. Overall, while the vegan hot dog was delicious, I feel that $7 is a bit pricey for a vegan hotdog especially when there aren't any vegan sides available.