Portillo's Introduces Vegan Hot Dog

CHICAGO, IL — Portillo’s is bringing new meaning to the phrase “drag it through the garden.”

The beloved Chicago-area chain announced Monday the launch of its new vegan hot dog.

Called the Garden Dog, the plant-based offering is made with pea protein; seasoned with pepper, garlic and paprika; and smoked, before being char-grilled like the restaurant’s traditional dog, and topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes, sport peppers and pickles.

The Garden Dog is made for Portillo’s by plant-based meat and cheese company Field Roast, with “all of the flavor, none of the meat,” according to the eatery, although the restaurant noted the vegan alternative is not a perfect duplicate of its meatier predecessor.

“The Garden Dog shares similarities to the traditional hot dog, but will not taste exactly the same and will not have the classic snap when you take a bite,” according to Portillo’s.

The meatless menu item is available at all Portillo’s locations. For more information, visit www.portillos.com/service/faq/#gardendog.