Fast Food Chains That Serve The Highest And Lowest Quality Hot Dogs – The Takeout

If you’ve lived in the Chicago area, or even just visited, you likely know Portillo’s. The regional chain serves a variety of delicious and regional eats, including, yes, Chicago hot dogs. Founded in 1963, Portillo’s has been using the same brand of hot dog from the very beginning: Vienna Beef. Vienna Beef has a rich history all of its own, founded in 1893 and catapulting to success during the Chicago World’s Fair. Today, the brand’s products are still made in Chicago, still made in small batches, and still made according to the original Austrian-Hungarian recipes.

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The hot dogs are made with all beef, and contain few other ingredients — salt, sugar, mustard, garlic juice, and a few basic preservatives. Additionally, the dogs have less fat and sodium than you’ll find in many other hot dogs — around 15% of your recommended daily value for both. Plus, you can’t beat the price at Portillo’s: under $5 for the basic dog on a poppy seed bun and topped with mustard, relish, celery salt, onions, tomatoes, a pickle, and sport peppers (and you can get the jumbo version for just a dollar more).