Portillo’s Hot Dogs

I love eating here. The food is great and it never upsets me! I personally believe that Portillo’s has some of the best burgers and hot dogs. The service is also really great. I would definitely bring friends to eat at this restaurant with me!

Their Italian beef with fries are the best! Portillos Hot Dogs are expensive, but very very delicious and it is worth the visit and purchasing of food.

Man oh man… you just can’t go wrong with Portillo’s. I should almost make a blog about visiting every Portillo’s in existence right now, because I am well on my way .
Walking up to the building, it was very unique, almost peach in color, but didn’t have a ton of architectural design to it as I have seen at other Portillo’s either driving by or visiting.
Entering the restaurant more than made up for the lack luster building. Maybe that was the plan? Totally blew me away walking in. It was like a mix between 50’s style, and picnic benches at the park. Very cool setting on the inside. The tables on the raised level included metal chairs with a rounded seat, which I feel could have been bigger. One size does NOT fit all, and even a medium sized person would have difficulty. I mean yes, I am 6’5 over 300, lineman build, but I saw a couple of people much smaller than I am having difficulties.
I started to order my food, and by walking up, it seemed as if the lady taking my order was a bit annoyed. I’m not sure if she was having a bad day or what, but I didn’t appreciate the musty TUDE!
I ordered a double char burger, with a large fry and a large root beer. I was dining in, and getting my order after my number was called, I noticed it was in a bag? Why do they ask if I’m dining in or carrying out if they are just going to give me a bag anyways. It wasn’t a big deal, but just kinda odd.
I sat down, open my sack of deliciousness, and knew immediately by looking at my awesome-​looking meal, that I was in for a carnivore treat! The burger was so flavorful and juicy that it almost made me jump and shout… it was THAT good!!! The «taste» of the fries were good, but normally they are VERY hot, and this time just lukewarm, which was slightly disappointing and surprising as they were pretty busy.
I love Portillo’s!!! Seriously… they have one in Indiana (Merrillville), but they need to expand even more!!! Always delicious, and always a treat visiting the Chicago area. Overall, it’s a 5 star studded meal for me!!! Keep it up Portillo’s!!!

Portillos made me happy! I ordered a maxwell polish with extra extra extra onions and a cheese fries with a coke. I wasn’t happy with the polish because it just didn’t compare to what I’m used to from maxwell street so I asked them to replace the sandwich with a beef sandwich extra beef dipped with sweet peppers and I would pay the difference in price. Let me just tell you that they went out of their way to make that sandwich with love. Ok, so I paid an extra five bucks, but I walked out of that restaurant with a smile on my face. Thank you to the team working today! I will continue to patronize your establishment.

Good food. Slowest drive-​thru on the planet. Why 5 people to take orders, only to have to park and wait 8 minutes for a very simple order? Put those kids to work in the kitchen to get the food out faster.

Grilled Halibut Sammy is where it’s at!
…welllll, that’s what I THOUGHT I ordered tonight, but ended up with some fried piece of fish. Wth? Apparently these babies aren’t grilled anymore, and instead have a light batter. At least it was hot, the bun was toasted, and the condiments were on the side as requested.
Service is still great and they’re speedy like usual, sooo I guess all is well. I’ll just get the (definitely Grilled) Tuna next time.

Portillo’s is some of the best fast food you can find in the Chicago area. I’ve been here countless times, and it almost never disappoints. The beef and cheddar croissant is my personal favorite. Sometimes this and their Italian beef sandwiches come out too wet for me, but if you’re afraid of that, you can always just order them dry. While not their specialty, their ¹⁄₃ pound char-​grilled burgers are also tender and juicy, a more filling option. You can’t forget their chocolate cake for dessert either, moist and rich flavor. A delectable treat.
The drive-​through is always wrapped completely around the building during peak lunch and dinner hours, but their service is very speedy thanks to an efficient system of service attendants stationed a long way ahead of the outdoor menu, where you typically order at fast food restaurants. They’re constantly busy and know how to handle it properly. The lines are there for a reason. I highly recommend Portillo’s any time you’re near one, if you’re looking for a quick bite.

I love Portillo’s. With that said I only gave 3 stars because 1) they don’t have a gluten free bun alternative and 2) EVERY time I order a «cheeseburger with everything, no bun» they don’t put ketchup or mayo on my burger even though according to their menu it goes on a burger. I’m assuming Portillos’ protocol is to spread the ketchup and mayo on the bun and since I’m going bunless they don’t know what to do… but seriously people it’s not rocket science.

Although i have been going here for years and i enjoy the food i think they are starting to go downhill. Chesse is never melted all the way in the beefs and the hamburgers r usually cooked way to long, just my thoughts

Just a quick update. I can’t stress enough how convenient the drive-​thru is at this Portillo’s location. I want to commend the female cashier with the handful of dollar bills that gives out change for your $ 20 bill. I apologize I don’t remember her name, but she is the nicest Portillo’s employee working there. The other employee (teenagers) constantly keep changing. It’s quite refreshing to see her working there both inside the restaurant and outdoors rain or shine. By far the most efficient and quick drive-​thru as I mentioned before. Say «hello» to her if you see her. Oh the food and my orders are always spot-​on. Yay Portillo’s!

Although the food is delicious, my lower rating is based on portion size at this particular restaurant. It seems the beef sandwiches are getting smaller and smaller amounts of beef while the price has gone up. The last sandwich I bought was pitifully unimpressive. Since then we have changed our choice for beef sandwiches to Serinos deli in Addison, there is no comparison, they actually make a beef, not bread, sandwich.

It may not be fair of me to rate Portillo’s at large with only three stars when I was only there for a salad from the other side of the restaurant. But I was roaming the neighborhood in search of a salad and this looked like the place.
I was there midday, but probably a little after the lunch hour, on a weekday. There were definitely still a lot of folks there, but no line and very little wait for the food. I ordered the Apple Walnut Salad and, while there was nothing wrong with it, it just didn’t do much for me. None of the ingredients in the salad had much personality, and you would typically think that the combination of cranberries, goat cheese, and candied walnuts would give it a little flavor.
I’ll definitely give them another try when I’m itching for hot dogs (and in the neighborhood; that part might be a while) or if I need my salad fix while I’m with a crowd in a more carnivorous mood. But I probably won’t pick them out as my first choice for green things.

I give Portillo’s a solid 5-​stars for what it is… Greater Chi-Town’s answer to fast food. I don’t know that it holds up to my nostalgic memories of Mustard’s or Pink’s in LA. But it’s solid Chicago go get some authentic eats.
I had the Italian Beef and a Chili Cheese Dog… Thoroughly enjoyed both of them! Might grab apiece of chocolate cake to go.
If you are in the Greater Chicago Area, check on this local staple.

If I would move to the Chicago area, it would be because of Portillo’s!
I ordered two hot dogs, an Italian beef sandwich, fries, onion rings, a slice of chocolate cake, and a Diet Coke (because I don’t want people to think I’m a pig).
I can’t say enough about this place but I can recommend pouring your melted cheese on the Italian beef sandwich and then top it with the spicy peppers-​BAM! Your welcome!

Does anyone NOT love Portillo’s? I don’t think so.
I love the atmosphere in the restaurants.
I love the amazing efficiency they have in moving that many hungry people through their lines both inside and at the drive-​thru.
I love their hot dogs and how they allow me to order ketchup without shame.
I love their malted shakes. MALT, people!
I love their fries. My kids are hopeless over their cheese fries.
But mostly I love how they are THERE FOR ME when I’m having a supremely fatty moment and I MUST have…
Their Double Cheeseburger. It’s a must. It’s big… it’s juicy… it’s full of flavor and whatever combo of fresh ingredients you desire… omg. SO good.
Forget about having dinner after that. You won’t need it or want it.

I used to live in Chicago area and love Portillo’s Italian beef. I have not had one in 5 or more years… and I was super excited to get a chance to eat dinner here during a business trip.
Love that they still write the order on the bag with a pencil like they did decades ago.
And — oh — that Italian beef. I don’t know why it’s so amazing to me, but it’s just the perfect balance of taste and texture. Mmmm.
Thanks for still being great, Portillo’s — and I was relieved to know that I did not mis-​remember how delicious those sandwiches are!

I currently live in Atlanta and when I get to Bloomingdale, Portillo’s is always my first stop! On this particular trip, I have been to this location twice and have been very disappointed. The first time we ordered 5 beef and fries I’m going to steal a line from Wendy’s and ask «Where’s the beef?».
They have most definitely decreased the meat portions on the sandwiches and I can pretty much pinpoint this to POST sell-​out. I was really hoping that wouldn’t happen, but it did.
I gave them another chance last night and got the same result. I have been to some small mom and pop places that have better and cheaper sandwiches, so I guess I will get out of my comfort zone and start venturing out to other places when I’m in town.
Don’t get me wrong, the sandwiches are good, but no longer worth the price considering what you no longer get.

Since Portillos has been sold, service has fallen off.
Placed simple order, chicken sandwich, combo sandwich and a hot dog. No hotdog in the bag, the combo sandwich had only one slice of beef.
Just sad.

Our local location that we visit regularly. The size of the building is not big and not too small. The parking is small and tight. It has that awesome traditional unique interior design and décor that will keep you busy checking out when you’re in there by yourself. Just watch the step when you look for a table, there’s a step. The staff does a great job keeping the tables clean and smile at you when you walk by. From there the best part is the consistency of their menu. The best fastest service.

Portillos is hands down a Chicago joint! Classic Chicago dog, Polish sausage, Italian beef (DIPPED!), fries, and good old cheeseburger. Try them all, you can’t go wrong. My only beef (no pun intended) about this place is their drive thru line… it’s always packed and usually takes 3 – 4 times longer than other fast food joints. Why? because they make everything fresh! Which I appreciate, only when I’m not in a rush =(
TIP: order ahead if you’re picking up. It shaves tons of time!