Hot Dog of the Day: Portillo's

Portillo's This über-efficient local chain, begun in Villa Park in 1963, is mostly found in the suburbs. But at the one city Portillo's, in tourist-heavy River North, out-of-towners flock in search of an authentic Chicago dog. I joined them, ordering a Jumbo ($3.15) with everything, and it's a solid representation of the form—a thick, nicely juicy dog, the poppyseed bun steamed to perfect softness and a generous helping of thick-cut tomatoes, onions and a hefty pickle slice. —Kris Vire