This morning I picked these three figs that show many similarities. They are all have about the same color, ripening around the same time, and have the same hardiness.
Sal's fig (EL version) was sold by edible landscaping for years, then later they decided it's the same as Chicago Hardy.
Dark Portuguese, is a fig I collected from a Portuguese man who brought it from Portugal years ago, and has been grown successfully in the Northeast. Recently UC Davis did a DNA testing and found that it probably the same as Hardy Chicago and Sal's.
Here's what I think...



They are slightly different in shape.



Each fig has a distinctive flavor.

Bass,

Can you post pictures of the Sal's EL leaf?

Herman posted a picture on GW/FF of his Sal's EL, (Gene's) version. The leaves look very different from mine that also came from Gene.

I hope to take a picture of mine tomorrow.

Peg

That is no difference in shape. I could post pix of more than a dozen Celestes, and on any day I can pick fruit that are far different than that, from the same tree or different trees: different sizes, shapes, colors...

In my experience these three are identical or unbelievably close.

See http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/figs4funforum/vpost?id=2914676 for two figs from the same tree. ;-))))

Pitangadiego is very correct about EL Sals and chicago hardy as for Dark Portuguese i find out in a couple years about how it taste and looks to the other 2, i have El Sals and Chicago Hardy i bought and not a trade, i have tasted and watch them grow side by side since 2003 in same soil watered same time same sun everthing alike. The taste is different with my palate along with daughter we like the Ch slightly better for that sharper figgy taste if you will. The Sals is slightly sweeter to taste. The leaves are simliar but my CH are a little bigger, the fruit looks just like Pitangadiego with Sals as pictured being more rounder. I have posted pictures here and on GW forum of the 2 also and last several years did the taste test as well. Also when i ordered my VDB this year i talked to the secretary there and we discussed my Sals order as i wanted to confirm to myself when i had actually ordered it and it was her that took my order as a Sals,this was not listed on the site at the time, the conversation turned to the confusion Mike has about the Sals and HC being the same, she said there has been much discussion about it from other callers as well,but Mike whom i also talked with but via email still personally thinks there the same, also the secretary stated that Mike no longer takes cutting from the 1 tree whatever that means.The confusion is clear to me anyways as i have to go with my daughter and my taste buds as well.
Martin

Jon,
Once in a while I get figs that are different in shape than others from the same tree, but for the most part Dark Portuguese size is smaller. Sal's seems to have a flatter shape than the other two.
I will take a photo of the leaves later, but leaves are always different in shape even from same tree.

Jon and Bass,

I realize the leaves are different even on the same tree. What I meant was, if you look at the picture of the tree posted by Herman that he is giving away most of the leaves seem to be slender 3 lobe. These are entirely different from any on my on my Sal's from Gene.

Maybe you should send it back to Gene, and have him send you one with the correct leaves. ;-))

Jon,
Heck, I don't care. I'm no purest. I just enjoy growing the trees and enjoying the fruit. I have good production and tasty fruit that satisfies me. It's these people who want cuttings and plants and demand that they be certified correct. Just forget I asked.

Here is some pictures of different shape figs on 1 of my trees just for fun and conversation. 1st picture has a strong long stem

Another like the 1 above just starting to turn today.

Peg,

I'm with you on taste - a good fig is a good fig - doesn't matter what the leaf shape is, or anything else, for that matter.

I agree on the "a good fig is a good fig"
 
Hi Peg 
 
Cecil

I know you all are speaking in jest regarding Peg's Sal's fig -- but Herman, Jon and Peg all got their Sal's from me (Herman and Jon via Leon), so any differences can be marked up to climate or an insufficient number of leaf samples.

Yes, any one tree has variously shaped leaves, which makes comparison difficult -- but not impossible when done thoroughly.  Any one variety tends to have about 3 general leaf types: 1 juvenile and 2 mature.  Hardy Chicago and Sal's EL leaves are very similar; except for one of Sal's mature leaf types which is very distinct from any that HC has.  It’s much broader/fatter than the others.

So, Gene, can I return my "wrong-leafed" tree for a refund, along with Peg's? ;-))

Thanks for the offer, Jon -- but guess I'll pass this go-round.  Got'em coming out my ears as it is.

I'll accept one of Gene's returns.

~Chills