[title]
The home of the Chicago dog goes to the beefy beacon that is Portillo’s. The Midwest-based chain has been serving stacked and steaming dogs to the people of Illinois and, now, the rest of the country, since its inception in 1963.
Yet, the dogs and its rivaling Italian beef have never found permanence here in New York, except for its Beef Bus rolling through Times Square in 2021. Next month, though, the chain is coming back to the Big Apple with a new wild pop-up that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
RECOMMENDED: Nine of NYC’s most-anticipated new restaurants for spring of 2025
On April 4, Portillo’s is setting up shop here for one night only but, instead of just doling out dogs on a bus, the chain is bringing a sense of class (or chaos, depending on how you look at it) with its Hot Dog High Tea. For one night only, Portillo’s is going pinkies up, serving elegant versions of its hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and more on a—literally!—golden platter.
Keep in mind that we're using the word “tea” lightly here. Drinks, after all, come in the form of alcohol made with Jameson Black Barrel.
It’s all put on by Chain, the celebrity-backed venture that pays homage to the almighty chain restaurant.
The 30-minute dining experience will feature the best of Portillo’s with a spin. You can find miniatures of two of its most famous items, the Chicago Pup on a Vienna bun with the restaurant’s signature relish, and the Italian beef kicked up a notch with a whiskey-marinated ribeye, a truffle giardiniera and a whiskey au jus for dipping.
The rest of the tray is filled with bites including Portillo’s version of a cheese puff, a BBQ chicken tea sandwich on milk bread and the crinkle fry turned into a thinly stamped pizzelle held together by a sweet and savory tomato jam. Lest we forget about dessert, you can find a chocolate croissant inspired by the brand's chocolate eclair, a strawberry shortcake sandwich and Portillo’s iconic chocolate cake drizzled with a whiskey caramel glaze.
Libations, all courtesy of Jameson, include four cocktails on offer at the tables and at the bar. The most tea-like tipple goes to the Black Barrel carbonated tea with barley and buckwheat. But if you just want to drink, you can choose from the honeycrisp apple old fashioned, Black Barrel julep with chocolate liqueur or the Warm Milk Punch with aged rum, almond and oat milk.
The pop-up tour kicks off in Chicago on March 26 and lands in New York before ending in Los Angeles on April 9. Tickets cost $68 and there are two seatings available, 7pm and 8pm. While there is already a waitlist, you can add your name here.