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    hot dogs for Houston

    Favorite Chicago hot dog shop Portillo's reveals 2 more Houston outposts

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 26, 2024 | 2:00 pm
    Portillo's

    Portillo's will open four locations across Greater Houston by the end of 2024.

    Courtesy photo

    Houstonians may still be waiting for their first taste of Portillo’s, but the restaurant devoted to Chicago-style street food is making sure that it will soon reach as many people as possible.

    The company announced that it will open two more locations in Stafford and Katy as well as one in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine. They join Portillo’s previously announced plans to open locations in Richmond and Willowbrook. All five new locations are expected to open by the end of the year.

    The Stafford location will open at The Grid, where it joins a number of restaurants including Whiskey Cake and In-N-Out Burger. Described in press materials as one of Portillo’s “Restaurant of the Future” designs, the 6,200-square-foot restaurant will seat 160 and offer a double drive-thru lane for efficient to-go orders.

    Part of the Katy Grand development at the corner of the Katy Fwy and the Grand Parkway, the Katy location will utilize Portillo’s traditional, more expansive footprint. In this case, the 7,700-square-foot restaurant will seat 170 inside and 50 more on an outdoor patio. Designed with a retro, automotive garage theme, it will also offer a double drive-thru.

    Like Stafford, the Grapevine location will also be a slightly smaller “Restaurant of the Future” with indoor seating for approximately 125, a 40-seat patio, and double drive-thru lanes. Located on Highway 114 near South Main Street, it will have a “rustic Southwest garage theme,” according to press materials.

    Known for its Chicago-inspired fare, Portillo’s signature menu items include Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and chocolate cake. The hot dog is a beef frank topped with mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomato, celery salt, kosher pickle, and sport peppers on a steamed poppy seed bun.

    Their Italian beef features thinly sliced roast beef served on French bread, with the option to have it dry or dipped in gravy, and the double-layer chocolate cake is iced with chocolate frosting. Burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, sides, and shakes are also available.

    “With the opening of these three new restaurants in the Lone Star State, Texas will become our largest market outside our home state of Illinois,” CEO Michael Osanloo said. “Since arriving in Texas, we have been greeted with open arms and empty stomachs, so we are thrilled to be able to continue expanding our footprint in Dallas-Fort Worth and officially bring our unrivaled Chicago street food to the Houston area later this year.”

    Portillo’s fans can follow along with each location’s progress by visiting Portillos.com/TXExpansion.

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    riel returns

    Shuttered Houston restaurant revived for 1 night only at Canada Day pop-up

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 19, 2026 | 3:30 pm
    Riel truffle caviar pierogi
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
    The pop-up will serve Riel's caviar and truffle pierogi.

    One of the saddest restaurant closures of 2025 will get a one-night-only revival. Favorite dishes from Riel will return at Chardon on Sunday, June 28 for an event being called “Booze Can Sunday.”

    While a French fine dining restaurant might seem like an unlikely host for a Riel revival, Chardon executive chef E.J. Miller once served as Riel’s opening sous chef. Miller invited his former boss, Riel chef-owner Ryan Lachaine, to join him for a pop-up that honors Canada Day.

    Together, the duo will serve some of Riel’s most popular dishes, including:

    • Truffle and Caviar Pierogies
    • Steak Au Poivre Poutine with Cheese Curds
    • Deli Dog
    • Montreal Smoked Meat Sliders
    • Torche Kolaches
    • Mushroom Empanadas
    • Gator Karaage
    • Maple Whiskey Soft Serve with Foie Caram

    The day will also feature drink specials such as Canadian Jell-O Shots, Molson X, Canadian Club, Old Grand-Dad, and more. Robin Wong, a co-owner of Blood Bros. BBQ and a successful DJ, will spin throughout the event.

    Riel truffle caviar pierogi

    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

    The pop-up will serve Riel's caviar and truffle pierogi.

    "Riel was a special place for a lot of people, and Booze Can Sunday was always one of the most anticipated events of the week," said Miller. "Ryan and I wanted to bring back that energy for one day, celebrate the restaurant that meant so much to us, and give guests a chance to revisit some of the dishes and memories they loved."

    Riel Restaurant Ryan Lachaine E.J. Miller A vintage picture of chefs EJ Miller and Ryan Lachaine. Photo by Eric Sandler

    Riel opened in January 2017 and closed in August 2025. In between, it earned wide acclaim for the way Lachaine blended his Canadian upbringing and Ukrainian heritage with the modern Gulf Coast cuisine he learned while working at restaurants such as Reef and Underbelly.

    Currently, Lachaine works as the executive chef at River Oaks restaurant State of Grace. He added two Riel signatures to State of Grace’s menu — the caviar tater tots and signature butter burgers.

    Chardon, which earned a Best New Restaurant nomination in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards for its blend of classic French fare with Texas ingredients, opened in February 2025. In addition to Riel, Miller’s resume includes SaltAir Seafood Kitchen, International Smoke, and Muse.

    Booze Can Sunday takes place from 3-9 pm. Attendees are encouraged to register on Eventbrite.

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