While some restaurants never seem to have ice cream desserts, Portillo’s is always bringing that creamy, delicious, and decadent frozen delight to the table. The newest limited time shake flavor is just what the doctor ordered.
Portillo’s has been a Chicago icon for decades. While the restaurant brand expanded beyond its Downers Grove and Clark Street roots, the connection to the Windy City and its Midwest hospitality is always apparent.
Many people know the fast casual restaurant for its classic hot dogs and Italian beef. While those dishes are great with a 312 Goose Island beer, another beverage has become a Portillo’s signature, the Cake Shake.
Although the classic chocolate cake has the moistest crumb and luscious frosting, enjoying that slice blended into creamy ice cream is worth every single calorie. It is the restaurant brand’s signature dessert.
What Is Portillo’s New Limited Time Cake Shake Flavor?
To close out summer, Portillo’s added a Dr Pepper Shake and a Dr Pepper Cake Shake. The two desserts start with the classic vanilla shake and add Dr Pepper. The combination is sweet, rich, and totally irresistible.
While the simple Dr Pepper Shake is lovely, it is the Dr Pepper Cake Shake that deserves the spotlight. Chocolate and Dr Pepper work together as well as Dr Pepper and vanilla. Although people can speculate on the 23 flavors in the classic Texas soda, the mystery remains. Still, the bubbly beverage blends well with both chocolate and vanilla.
Additionally, the flavors are the perfect ending to a classic Chicago Dog Meal. Although dunking my crinkle fries in a shake is not my preference, the flavored shake contrasts the saltiness of the fries. It is a fun combination.
More importantly, the special Cake Shake is the delightful contrast to the hot dog that has been drugged through the garden. For anyone who wants to extinguish the tanginess from those sport peppers, this frozen dessert does it in an instant.
Even the person who love a chili dog can appreciate the Dr Pepper desserts. There is just enough complexity to lift the robust chili off the palate. It might not be traditional mid-course sorbet scoop, but there is a flavor punch that is a tasty way to end a meal.
Could the Dr Pepper Shakes Be a New Direction for Portillo’s?
After the hugely successful Char’diniera Dog earlier this summer, Portillo’s is leveraging another limited time menu item to its advantage. Although the frozen dessert might not sell out as quickly as this summer’s hottest menu item, it does have a built in audience.
Additionally, it is interesting that Portillo’s went with Dr Pepper instead of a classic Coca-Cola or even an Orange Fanta. Dr Pepper is a classic Texas soda, which is far from Portillo’s Chicago roots. Still, the classic beverage feels authentic, just like the restaurant brand.
Looking ahead to possible future seasonal offerings, it would be nice to see Portillo’s leverage some Chicago or Midwest beverage brands. A XXX Root beer collab would make many people happy. Or, even a Green River inspired dessert would be a true Chicago celebration.
For now, enjoy a few Dr Pepper Cake Shakes before they disappear. As many people have come to learn, Portillo’s fans are a hungry bunch. These limited-time offerings can sell out quickly.
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