One of the things on my list of to do during my visit to Chicago last month was to try a **Chicago-style hot dog**. The first time I visited the city a couple of years ago, I didn't get the chance, so this time I had to try it. So, on the first afternoon that we went for a walk downtown, we headed to Portillo's at 100 W Ontario St. Portillo's is a Chicago-based fast food chain famous for its Chicago-style hot dogs. ![Portillos_Chicago_Dec2025_1.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/coquicoin/EoMDHiJQuu6wkBqiNrCA9GUidXexFyDbTs6oJEUfzDZtPPX5QveziTQXsoFEbqJ5iWs.jpg) This location in downtown Chicago is very large and was decorated for Christmas at the time we visited. ![Portillos_Chicago_Dec2025_2.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/coquicoin/EoK5qfK6yiWFzX4YBgDA1SFCiGnKQp9DhqcQYpuniR6ZeA7JHBTASseWVpD13zm4X8C.jpg) My son and I each ordered the combo that comes with two hot dogs and fries. Chicago-style hot dogs are characterized by being “garden style.” They don't have ketchup, and it's even considered offensive to ask for ketchup to add to your hot dog. That's fine with me, because I don't like ketchup.

![ChicagoStyleHotDog_Portillos2.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/coquicoin/EpEJDT8HeXg2Xu4u4yX2wmazsVBdoXAC2B65tjJQPfCqonXC6Ps3DqxnnNY3sdGicr7.jpg)

![ChicagoStyleHotDog_Portillos3.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/coquicoin/Ep5neQfyzvse7fPPjZbAEb75RHjREnRJxM6v9Fo9zNYyZ8dgkL7iAbob2BykAVmDMoS.jpg)

Chicago-style hot dogs have mustard, chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, pickles, relish, celery salt, and sport peppers. And they're usually served on a poppy seed bun. ![ChicagoStyleHotDog_Portillos1.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/coquicoin/23ynUtSpS5ictt2KjsThpizS6k7Kpwt6jtixzRt2QAhc9cB7XTsZjiorvfdwGMuLcTL2q.jpg) My verdict? I liked it very much! Even though they're different from the ones I'm used to eating, which usually have cheese, cabbage, very crispy fries, and lots of sauce added to them, haha. I love pickles and relish, and I already told you that I hate ketchup, so I had no problem with these Chicago-style hot dogs. Have you ever tried them? Do you think you would like them? Tell me in the comments. Thank you for reading. _{**All images and writing are my own unless otherwise stated.**} **© CoquiCoin** January 30, 2026 _{If you're reading this and you are not on Hive yet, I invite you to join through [my referral link](https://peakd.com/register?ref=coquicoin). Let me know and I can delegate some resource credit to help you get started.}