Dining

Dining out: Portillo’s new Char’diniera Dog, $2.50 kids’ scoops at Oberweis

Posted June 30, 2026 3:19 pm

Rick West

Portillo’s has introduced a new limited-time Char’diniera Dog, a char-grilled beef hot dog infused with giardiniera and provolone cheese. Courtesy of Portillo's

It’s getting hot in here

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any warmer around the suburbs, Portillo’s went and turned up the heat on their dogs with a spicy new limited-time menu item.

The new Char’diniera Dog is a char-grilled beef hot dog infused with giardiniera and provolone cheese that delivers smoky flavor and some heat. Guests can enjoy the new Char’diniera Dog Maxwell-style with mustard and grilled onions or fully Chicago-style.

Portillo’s teamed up with longtime partner Vienna Beef for the new taste that marks the start of the brand’s inaugural “Hot Dog Season” celebration.

Portillo’s is also offering members of its Portillo’s Perks loyalty program a limited-time deal for National Hot Dog Week. From July 14-16, Perks members can enjoy a $1 hot dog with a purchase of $5 or more (limit one per transaction).

Lou Malnati’s in Buffalo Grove has completed an interior and exterior renovation that includes an indoor-outdoor flow from dining room to patio. Courtesy of Lou Malnati's

A new look for Lou’s

Lou Malnati’s at 85 S. Buffalo Grove Road in Buffalo Grove has completed its interior and exterior renovation, with the new design featuring elements that reflect the building’s history and role in the community, the company says.

The exterior was painted white, and the space features an expansive patio that seats 124 guests with garage doors along the renovated dining room that connect the interior and exterior spaces. The original wood bar from the Firnbach Tavern remains a centerpiece and historic signage and photo displays highlight decades of Lou Malnati’s and local community moments.

Oberweis will be offering $2.50 kids scoops July 1-4. Courtesy of Oberweis

Fourth fun

We dropped some specials for America’s semiquincentennial (I’ll be happy to stop typing that word) last week, but here are a few more cool treats.

• Oberweis is offering a deal for America’s 250th, with $2.50 kids’ scoops at all their shops Wednesday through Saturday, July 1-4, plus kids can get a complimentary upgrade with red, white and blue sprinkles. Free patriotic sunglasses will be available for kids throughout the holiday weekend while supplies last.

• Bien Trucha group restaurants are offering half off Mexican beers and traditional or spicy margaritas on Saturday, July 4. The eateries, including a toda madre in Glen Ellyn, Bien Trucha locations in Geneva and Wheaton, and Quiubo in Naperville will be open until 4 p.m. Saturday.

• The Hampton Social will be offering $2.50 oysters (sold in orders of six or 12 max per person) Friday through Sunday, July 3-5, with the purchase of an alcoholic beverage or mocktail. The restaurant is extending its weekend brunch to Friday, featuring a choice of bottomless rosé or mimosa brunch for $35.

Home Run Inn will offer its limited-time “Chicago Combo” eight-inch pizza with Vienna Beef’s Italian beef and giardiniera, Italian sausage and sweet peppers at Wrigley Field and in restaurants until Sunday, July 5. Courtesy of Home Run Inn

Taste of Chicago

If you’re headed to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field this week, Home Run Inn will have a very Chicago bite waiting for you.

The “Chicago Combo” eight-inch pizza features Vienna Beef’s Italian beef and giardiniera, as well as HRI’s Italian sausage and sweet peppers on top of sauce and cheese.

The Chicago Combo will be available during the current homestand through Sunday, July 5, and at Home Run Inn restaurants (closed on July 4) for dine-in or carry-out. They have suburban locations in Bolingbrook and Darien.

• Send dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.