Portillo's Hot Dogs Review

This is for a series of posts for a 2014 Chicago trip including Alinea, Giordano's, Bottlefork, Bub City, Portillo's Hot Dogs, Doubletree Hilton: Magnificent Mile, and Garrett Popcorn Shops.

With Hot Doug's closing down, I obviously wanted to make the journey to cased meat Mecca during my recent trip to Chi-town. But alas, my packed schedule didn't allow for such a treat. Undaunted, I went to the next best thing for standard Chicago-style eats - Portillo's Hot Dogs.

Entering into this hot stop for Chicago foodie staples, you're transported into a jarring mix of sights that's not unlike something you'd encounter in New Orleans. It's hard to imagine that you're a few blocks away from the Magnificent Mile.

First things first. We had to try a proper Chicago-style hot dog. Once I saw the neon green relish on the assembly line, I knew we were in the right place. 

Hot Dog [$2.65]
Mustard, relish, freshly chopped onions, sliced red ripe tomatoes, kosher pickle, sport peppers, steamed poppy seed bun 

Immersed in a soft-steamed bun was a dog with sufficient snap. But really, it's the toppings that make each bite. The ripe tomato softened the acidity from the sport pepper and kosher pickle, with the chopped onions offering some bite. But for me, it's the celery salt that makes it. Delicious. Ketchup need not apply.

Chili Cheese Dog [$3.15]
Chili, cheddar, onions

We also got a chili cheese dog, which was a creamy, savory mess (in a good way!), with the bite of onion offering some texture.

Italian Beef [$5.10] with Hot & Sweet Peppers [$1]
Dipped

I also needed to get an Italian Beef, fully dipped of course. The bread was completely soggy by the time I got to it, but despite the lack of texture, the peppery mix of succulent beef with the juxtaposition of both hot and sweet peppers was an explosion in mouth. The giardiniera was the cherry on the top.

Large Cheese Fries [$2.74]
 

The large cheese fries weren't exactly large, but they were certainly crispy, with the crinkle cut texture offering the perfect vessel to sop up the creamy, salty cheese dip.

Overall, Portillo's offers affordable eats and showcases the good, simple food that Chicago is known for. It's unadulterated and delicious.

http://www.portillos.com/portillos/look/

Bub City Review

This is for a series of posts for a 2014 Chicago trip including Alinea, Giordano's, Bottlefork, Bub City, Portillo's Hot Dogs, Doubletree Hilton: Magnificent Mile, and Garrett Popcorn Shops. 

For our first lunch in Chi-town, I was with the GF and her folks in the neighborhood of some of Rick Bayless' restaurants. But due to wait times and the fact that we were starving, we opted to head to Bub City, which was right next door.

Once I saw the whiskey bar on the right, I figured we were home. The atmosphere was a bit cowboy-kitschy and seemed perfect for brunch.

Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hashbrowns [$6.95] + Fried Egg [$1.49]

When I saw burnt ends on the menu, I knew we had to order it. Unfortunately, there was only a pittance of burnt ends actually in this dish. Still, there was a certain creaminess to the potatoes that was magnified by the addition of the fried egg. The scallions added freshness, with the shreds of regular brisket offering some savory bites. Texture was needed here (read: more crispy bits of burnt ends!) 

Giddy Up Fries [$12.95]
Pulled pork, cheddar, jalapeno, sour cream
  

We saw another table with a huge platter of waffle fries topped with a smorgasbord of nacho toppings. So we had to get the giddy up fries as well. This is the better bet - there was plenty of pulled pork, cheese, peppers, and jalapenos, on top of crispy waffle fries. Definitely a good dish to share with a couple of drinks.

El Paso Chopped Salad [$9.95] + Fried Chicken [$3.95]
 

The GF went with the fried chicken chopped salad, which offered fresh greens, tomatoes, beans, corn, cucumber, and a chopped egg. The fried chicken came sized as nuggets, but were still moist and juicy. 

Fried Chicken & Waffles [$14.95]
Bacon-jalapeno honey, country gravy
  

The fried chicken on my dish were similar. The accompanying country gravy was thick, heavy, and savory - just what you need after a late night. The bacon jalapeno honey could have used more kick from the jalapeno and bacon. The waffle was no point though - crisp, light, offering a great contrast in texture. 

Overall, Bub City seems to be a fun place to grab brunch with friends. The wheel isn't exactly reinvented here, but that's alright. I'll definitely need to check out the straight up BBQ next time I come around town.

www.bubcitychicago.com

Doubletree Hilton: Chicago - Magnificent Mile Review

This is for a series of posts for a 2014 Chicago trip including Alinea, Giordano's, Bottlefork, Bub City, Portillo's Hot Dogs, Doubletree Hilton: Magnificent Mile, and Garrett Popcorn Shops. 

During a recent trip to Chicago, I booked some rooms at the Doubletree Hilton a block away from the Magnificent Mile. In addition to offering Northwestern alum discounts, they were at the center of all the tourist attractions the GF's family was looking to explore.

At first glance, we were a bit unnerved by the fact that there were buckets in the middle of the lobby, catching water dripping from the ceiling above. But luckily, everything was fine by the next day.

As with all Doubletree Hilton locations, we were welcomed with a warm cookie and some bottled water. Who can complain about that? 

There's also a bar at this location, which seemed to be a prime spot for people to get drinks before going out. And because the World Cup was on during this time, there was definitely a crowd here during the game. 

In addition to the location, one of the main reasons we decided to stay at the Doubletree Hilton was the supposed view of the lake and the rooftop pool.

Alas, despite being on the upper floor, there were quite a few buildings that restricted a true view of the lake. 

And the rooftop pool? It's on the roof of the lower tower - not an exactly an escape.

The bathroom was the biggest disappointment - definitely hasn't been renovated since the 90's and the water pressure was lacking.

On the other hand, the 24 hour gym was just fine. They had free weights and several machines.

And for your daily cardio, there were plenty of treadmills and ellipticals. 

Overall, if location is key, the Doubletree Hilton will suffice. It's a bit dated if you're looking for a luxury experience, but when it's only $175 per night, it's got pretty much everything you need.

Doubletree Hilton: Chicago - Magnificent Mile
300 E. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 787-6100
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/illinois/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-chicago-magnificent-mile-CHIMMDT/index.html