This Chicago Based Chain Needs To Come To Albany, NY

I think it's fair to say that Upstate New York has a real love for hot dogs. You have usually been born into a household that favors Hot Dog Charlie's, Gus's, or Famous Lunch. There are other contenders in this great Capital Region hot dog battle, too. Mike's in Schenectady, Newest Lunch, and Robb's Topp Doggs is the latest contender in this ongoing battle. While I love and appreciate each and everyone of these places, there is a chain from Chicago that I really want to see in our area.

Portillo's is a place that I think Upstate New York would love, and Albany might be the perfect home for it. No one else is doing Italian beef, and their hot dogs might be some of the best I've tried.

BJ/TSM

What is Portillo's?

Portillo's is one of those Chicago spots you have to make sure you find when you are traveling through the Windy City. While I can't get behind deep dish pizza, I can get behind Italian beef, sausages and of course Chicago style hot dogs.

This is straight from the Portillo's website:

In 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo's hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called "The Dog House." Years later, Portillo's has become a brand synonymous with Chicago. In fact, we're kind of a big dill- people say it's not a real trip to Chicago unless you eat at Portillo's.

I first tasted Portillo's back in September of 2021 on a trip to Chicago. I was in love. As a hot dog lover in the first place, this was like heaven. Not only did they have the dogs, but also the Italian beef and sausages were incredible. I actually got an Italian sausage topped with Italian beef because you only live once and you might as well go for it. This was Chicago Street Food to the max.

Sad news for us in Upstate New York, the closest Portillo's is probably in Indiana. Just a quick little drive, right?

I saw via their restaurant locater that they have locations in Georgia, and Florida. So they are east, just a bit too far south. We need them to creep up to the Northeast to give us a shot at enjoying this food.