Whether it’s a holiday party, a wedding, or your kid’s birthday party next spring, Portillo’s customizable catering menu offers something for everyone. | Photo provided by Portillo’s Hot Dogs, LLC
We’ve got a burning question about hot dogs. No, not whether they are sandwiches, tacos, or neither, but rather — why doesn’t Orlando have its own signature frankfurter, one that truly screams of home?
Without further ado, ORLtoday presents our suggestion for the Orlando-style hot dog, aka “The O Town Glizzy.”
Base: All-beef hot dog (a theme park staple) in a toasted Cuban bread bun, nodding to Florida’s Latin-inspired heritage.
Toppings include fresh Florida-grown orange slaw, pulled pork for more Cuban influence, and hot sauce made of bird’s eye chili — an ode to Mills 50’s hub of Vietnamese eateries.
Optional flair: A toothpick with a tiny plastic flamingo in it, just because it’s Orlando.
It’s vibrant, bright, and theme-park-ready — just like the city itself.
Asked
Asked
What would you put on your Orlando-style hot dog?
Think: ingredients, toppings, and the best bakeries to source your buns.
Lights, camera, and smile. | Photo by Danielle Johnson
Biz
Taylor Swift is good for the City Beautiful’s small businesses, according to the Orlando Business Journal. Several local bars + eateries have seen success hosting themed events ahead of Swift’s latest album release, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which came out this morning. There are plenty of such events in our calendar.
Parks
Wait times at Walt Disney World are trending lower and lower through the year. July’s waits averaged 30 minutes, August’s averaged 28 minutes, and recent data suggests September’s might have come down to 24 minutes. Prices + weather are both being touted as potential reasons for the decline. (FOX 35)
Development
Space is filling up at the planned Westcourt mixed-use project, set to open in 2028. Leasing began earlier this week on 310,000 sqft of office space, although plenty is already taken, per officials. The $500 million project is set to become a major hub in Orlando — so we’ll be keeping our eye on this one. (Orlando Business Journal)
Weather
The National Hurricane Center is watching two areas in the tropics as the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season continues. Should they develop, the next names up are Jerry and Karen. As always, it’s important to be prepared for any eventuality.
Quoted
“The pedestrian bridge represents both progress and a promise,” said Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Lance Lyttle, speaking about Orlando International Airport’s newly completed walkway. It connects different parts of the airport to improve convenience for travelers. Psst — we’ve got more MCO tips for you. (WFTV)
Shop
Sorry in advance to your checking account. Funk’s Vintage is hosting the world’s largest vintage Disney clothing fair tomorrow, Oct. 4 + Sunday, Oct. 5. Disney Drop 2025 celebrates 50 years of clothing and runs from 12 to 8 p.m. on both days.
Watch
Happy birthday to the Kia Center. O Town’s world-class arena has now been open for 15 years, hosting countless sporting events, concerts, ceremonies, and festivities throughout that time. The highlights montage paints quite the picture.
Festival
Central Florida Food Fest is bringing flavor + fun to Bonnet Springs Park on Saturday, Oct. 18, 5-9 p.m. Get tickets for this 21+ event to enjoy exclusive dishes + drink pairings from local chefs, shop local artisans, and party to live music all day long.*
Real Estate
Searching for that perfect O-Town abode?These 19 new home communities are a great place to start. Brand-new and beautifully built, homeowners can choose from a wide range of styles, locations, and even amenities. See neighborhoods near you.*
Home
If cooler temps (and hot coffee) have you ready to get creative and start a project or two, you’re not alone. Whether you want to go big and increase your home’s value or just spruce things up before the holidays, it’s a great time to get started. Inspo this way.*
Read
Tired of the political drama? We get it. Cut through the noise and subscribe to The Tangle’s free newsletter for balanced, nonpartisan reporting on major political stories.*
Finance
This versatile card has quickly become a favorite for many. With no annual fee, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers into 2026, and up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases, it’s easy to see why it stands out.Explore the perks.*
Biz
If you’re wondering how you’re going to find someone stellar to fill your job opening, we can help. With our Job Board, you can post your listing for free and score a new employee in your community. It’s quick and easy — try it.
Post of the Day
Lights, camera, magic.
Post by Orlando Magic
Abracadabra. Expelliarmus. Hocus Pocus. Whatever your spell of choice is,the Orlando Magic are back.
The team’s first preseason game of the 2025-2026 NBA season is tomorrow, Oct. 4 vs. the Miami Heat. Both sides have ventured to Puerto Rico for the clash — the first time that has happened for the league since 2006.
Want a healthy dose of optimism? We rounded up five reasons why the Magic could lift their first-ever NBA championship next summer.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
