Mystery Diner in Shorewood: Don’t limit your order to just hot dogs at Portillo’s

A dear friend from long past introduced me to Portillo’s Hot Dogs about 30 years ago, because we both loved good hot dogs.

That particular Portillo’s was in another town – I can’t even recall what town anymore. But it was before Portillo’s came to the Joliet area – and by the way, the building in Shorewood is absolutely gorgeous, from the architecture to the mural to the clock. It’s worth a trip just to admire it.

Even today, I can’t eat a Portillo’s hot dog without recalling the many happy times I shared a hot dog meal with my good friend. I also rarely order anything other than a hot dog from there.

In fact, when Dick Portillo opened his “Dog House” in 1963, it was an actual hot dog stand in Villa Park, according to the Portillo’s website. But the menu has expanded to so much more: burgers, Italian beef sandwiches, salads and its “famous” chocolate cake and chocolate shakes.

So when the family decided to order carryout one busy night before the holidays, I was the first to suggest Portillo’s, and no one had to ask my order: a jumbo dog with mustard, onions and tomatoes.

But since I’m a kid at heart (and was extra hungry that night), I added a six-piece chicken tender order and promised to share.

The hot dog, which came on a poppyseed bun (the best way to serve a hot dog), was crisp, juicy and generously topped with onions and tomatoes.

The chicken tenders were some of the best chicken tenders I’ve eaten. Thick juicy strips of chicken sealed in a lightly crisped, perfectly seasoned batter. They arrived hot, despite the carryout on a cold night. And I shared, albeit reluctantly.

Another family member had the Italian beef and sausage combo. The sausage had great flavor, this person said, topping the sandwich with mozzarella cheese from the refrigerator, an addition that “complemented well.”

The same person ordered a double cheeseburger for a late night snack, and said the burger “tasted good.”

The last family member to order had a bacon double cheeseburger, which was moist, tender and topped with “plenty of bacon,” they said, the best kind of bacon burger, really.

Everyone agreed the fries were good, although the steam from sitting in a carryout bag did soften them a bit, which didn’t detract from their tasty fry flavor.

We also had some of that “famous” chocolate cake – and it was delicious. It was nice and chocolatey without being overly sweet. Yum!

Apparently, you can order a whole cake, too. The Portillo’s website said it comes with two unfrosted layers of chocolate cake along with frosting and a spatula, so customers can add as much frosting as they like.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at Shaw Media. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Portillo’s Hot Dogs

WHERE: 1155 Brook Forest Ave., Shorewood

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

INFORMATION: 815-609-1400, portillos.com