Hot Dog High Tea – Portillo’s, CHAIN and Jameson Black Barrel Event – NYC April 4th

On Wednesday, April 4th, 2025 CHAIN, the Los Angeles-based dining phenomenon known for its elevated takes on nostalgic chain restaurant favorites, is bringing their latest concept, an exclusive Hot Dog High Tea event, to NYC. In collaboration with Jameson Black Barrel and Chicago favorite Portillo’s, this one-of-a-kind culinary event will showcase a refined, bite-sized reimagination of eight of Chicago’s most beloved flavors.

A High Tea Like No Other!
The exclusive dining experience will transform Portillo’s classics into an elegant tasting menu, served on a tiered tea tower and paired with custom-crafted cocktails created by Thunderbolt LA featuring Jameson Black Barrel Whiskey. Upon arrival, guests will check in and be seated for their tea service. Before and after the meal, they will be invited to enjoy a Jameson Black Barrel Whiskey tasting experience and additional cocktails, with plenty of surprises in store throughout the evening.

The Menu
Curated by the culinary innovators at CHAIN, the Hot Dog High Tea menu offers a bold reimagining of Portillo’s iconic dishes, including:
The Chicago Pup – A Vienna beef pup on a poppy seed bun, with Chain’s Haute Dog Relish™, umami celery salt, and a lil’ dill spear.
Italian Beef & Truffle – Marinated ribeye, truffle giardiniera, provolone, shaved truffles, and Black Barrel whiskey au jus.
BBQ Chicken Tea Sandwich – Smoked chicken thigh tossed in Jameson Black Barrel BBQ sauce on milk bread.
Salt & Pepper Pizzelle – A take on Portillo’s crinkle fries, with a savory tomato jam filling.
Portillo’s Cheese Gougères – Light & fluffy, brushed with clarified butter and dusted with a tomato & chili spice. All filled with Portillo’s cheese.
Chocolate Croissant – Inspired by Portillo’s chocolate eclair cake, featuring a Jameson Black Barrel whiskey eclair filling.
Strawberry Shortcake Sandwich – Black Pepper Biscuits with a Jameson Black Barrel Whiskey Chantilly.
Chocolate Cake – The legendary Portillo’s chocolate cake, topped with a Jameson Black Barrel Whiskey Caramel Glaze.

Custom Jameson Black Barrel Cocktails
Guests will also enjoy four specialty beverages developed Thunderbolt LA exclusively for the event:
Honey Crisp Apple Old Fashioned – Jameson Black Barrel, Applejack Brandy, Honey, Bitters.
Warm Milk Punch – Jameson Black Barrel, Aged Rum, Almond & Oat Milk, Spices.
Black Barrel Julep – Jameson Black Barrel, Chocolate Liqueur, Mint, Bitters.
Black Barrel Carbonated Tea – Jameson Black Barrel, Barley & Buckwheat Tea, Lemon.

Join Us for This Unforgettable Experience
This invite-only, 21+ event is a celebration of culinary innovation, craftsmanship, and a shared love for Chicago’s most iconic eats.
Social Media Instagram Handles: @JamesonUS @eatatchain @portilloshotdogs

Event Details:
What: Chain and Jameson Black Barrel Presents: A Hot Dog High Tea
When: APRIL 4th – 7:00pm or 8:00pm (two arrival time slots)
About CHAIN: CHAIN is the World’s First Gourmet ‘Chain Food’ pop-up, offering chef-driven versions of classic chain restaurant dishes, reimagined. The Chain House speakeasy-style space in Los Angeles and ChainFEST features interactive, retro-inspired elements, designed to appeal to the nostalgia of patrons and guests. CHAIN was founded by writer-actor B.J. Novak of The Office and Michelin Starred Chef Tim Hollingsworth.​ Their in-demand, curated and themed pop-up concepts, tasting series and food festivals have developed a massive cult following in Los Angeles and beyond, with large waitlists forming around each culinary experience. (www.eatatchain.com)

Email chain@theinfluence.com to RSVP

About Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey:
An exceptional blend of expertly aged, select batch whiskeys for a rich smooth taste, pouring a glass of Jameson Black Barrel Irish whiskey is an experience to savor and share. This premium expression offers a richer, more complex experience thanks to its double-charred barrel aged, and combination of small-batch grain and single-pot still whiskeys. Jameson Black Barrel blends the artistry of expert distillers and blenders at their single distillery in Midleton, Ireland.