John Tuohy

john.tuohy@indystar.com

At long last, transplanted Chicagoans and other aficionados of the humble hot dog in Central Indiana may reach culinary nirvana.

Portillo’s, a much-revered Windy City beef and hot dog stand, plans to open a restaurant in Fishers.

Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath said officials from Portillo’s met with planning officials in the fall about opening a place at 116th Street and I-69, near the new Ikea and other new developments.

McGrath said the meeting concerned zoning requirements and though follow-up calls have been made, no official permits or applications have been filed.

“We think it would be a fun and unique addition to the Fishers dining scene,” McGrath said.

Portillo’s is adverting for restaurant manager jobs in Fishers on Craigslist.

“Portillo's has been a beloved brand with die-hard fans since Founder Dick Portillo opened his first hot dog stand in 1963,” the ad reads. “When we open new restaurants, our fans stand in long lines just to be the first to sample their favorites from our menu.”

The jobs pay $40,000 to $80,000 a year.

Officials from Portillo’s did not return several phone calls to confirm the company's interest in Fishers.

A Facebook page called “Bring Portillo’s to Fishers” has 443 likes and is taking credit for bringing another Chicago institution, Giordano’s, to Indianapolis.

“Now it’s time that we get Portillo's to come to Indianapolis and bring their awesome food!” the page says.

When IndyStar conducted a Facebook poll about what out-of-town franchises residents wanted here in 2015, Portillo's came in third, behind Ikea and In-and-Out Burger.

Portillo’s serves fast food indigenous to Chicago: Italian beefs and sausages dipped in juice and smothered with giardiniera and hot and sweet peppers, as well as hot dogs on poppy seed buns stacked with mustard, relish, onions, celery salt, a pickle spear, tomato slices and “sport” peppers — but never ketchup.

The restaurant also is known for its double-layer chocolate cake.

Portillo’s first stand was in Villa Park, Ill., and its first Chicago location was at Clark and Ontario streets in 1994. In 2002, it opened its only Indiana location in Merrillville, and has places in a handful of other states.

The Fishers location Portillo's expressed interested in is near a large culinary campus planned for the area. But Ashlee Boyd, managing partner of Thompson Thrift, said the developer has not talked to Portillo’s about moving into the center.

Retiree Charlie Cohen, 70, who moved from Chicago to Fishers three years ago, said the beef stand will please the many native Chicagoans in his subdivision -- and Indiana residents, as well.

"This is going to be a very happy day when it opens," he said. "A lot of people have been hankering for it. But I think everyone will like it. When I go to the Portillo's in Merillville the parking lot is packed. And all the cars have Indiana license plates."

Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317 444-6418. Follow him on Twitter: @john_tuohy.

Liz Biro: 17 best Indy restaurant openings 2017

First, Ikea and Portillo's. Here's what else Indy wants.

Top 10 Hamilton County stories in 2016