Tag Archives: Portillo’s Hot Dogs

New Taste Treats!

If you’ve followed my blog at all over the years it will come as no surprise that food is something I really enjoy. While we were in Chicago I found 2 brand new taste treats. Thank you for your suggestions to try Garrett Popcorn.

I thought you all were a little nutty when you said the Chicago mix was your favorite. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Garrett Chicago Mix it’s a mixture of sweet and salty, their Caramel crisp and Cheese corn. It was delicious. We were going to buy some at one of their shops on Ontario off Michigan Avenue but they weren’t open when we came by so when we got to the airport I went on the hunt. I walked all the way to terminal 1 from terminal 3 before I finally spotted their small shop. I bought a small bag. On my way back to terminal 3 I noticed the Garrett shop that was way closer…yep, I walked right past it. OYE! I needed the extra exercise anyway.

This is truth in advertising right here! But now to my absolute favorite cheap Chicago taste treat…drum roll please.

The famous Chicago Dog! A Chicago-style hot dog, or Chicago Dog, is a steamed or water-simmered all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun,originating from the city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with yellow mustard; chopped white onions; bright green sweet pickle relish; a dill pickle spear; tomato slices or wedges; pickled sport peppers; and a dash of celery salt. The complete assembly of a Chicago hot dog is said to be “dragged through the garden” due to the many toppings.

Yes folks, I am now a huge fan of this taste treat. I had my very first one at Portillo’s in Chicago when I hopped off the trolley for under $3.00.

Before we left Chicago I had another one at the airport! We had $50.00 meals in Chicago that I didn’t enjoy as much. I guess I’m more of a simple all American girl with a twist…or a little twisted.

Coach’s meat loaf stack at Ditka’s, Frog legs at Hugo’s Frog Bar (I only had one), Filet Medallions Oscar at Hugo’s Frog Bar, Bookbinder’s Soup, Chilaquiles egg dish at Eggsceteria, Mac and Cheese loaded at the Grill on the Alley. All that goodness and I’m only craving a hot dog since we came home!

Today is Saturday and Dear and I are attending a conference all day. We are still holding out for some nice weather here in the Northwest. We have dubbed this month Juneuary instead of just plain June!

Snapshots of Chicago…

…from Saturday and Sunday.

Warning! The full deal is yet to come. There is so much to see and do in this windy city. I’m resigned to be content with what I actually am able to do.

On Saturday I bought a ticket for the hop on/hop off trolley-double-decker bus tours offered here in Chicago. I saw a lot. I got a feel for the routes. After a full day in the sun I headed up to the 96th floor of the Hancock tower to cool off and see the sights from way up high.

On Sunday I walked several blocks to the Chicago River to see about getting a ticket for the Architectural Tour.

There was lots of room on the 9:00 tour and I took lots of photos on this great boat ride on the Chicago River. More to come. After the river cruise I hopped back on a double-decker bus and took the advice of the tour guide and stopped for a quick lunch snack here.

I had my first ever Chicago dog and it did not disappoint. After my snack I hopped back on the bus and headed to the Art Museum.

 

Such amazing things to see at the Chicago Art Museum. That’s definitely a post in itself. After I was done at the museum I walked several blocks to the river again and jumped on the double-decker to head back to the hotel. On the way I made reservations for Dear and me at this restaurant for dinner tonight.

Dear is working hard at the convention center and I’m working hard touring about the city. It’s nice to end our days together over dinner…