I eat at Portillo's all the time, at least once a week.
You know Portillo's is good when folks on  Facebook comes back to Chicago and post that they ate there and they get 20 plus responses from all over the country of people belly aching about how they miss Portillo's hot dogs, beefs, cheese fries, cheese burgers, etc.
If you haven't eaten there, do it!
It's Portillo's....if I was on death row....my last meal would be a beef sandwich, dipped, with sweet peppers.....The reason this Portillo's only get's 3 stars? If it was my last meal on earth, I'd ask that they get it from the drive through at the Portillo's in CL between 6 and 8 PM.........That should buy me a LOT of extra time.....
Review Source:Been here alot ,  and the food is  consistently very good ,  be it  hot dogs, beefs , Italian and or  Salads , I love the Chopped Salad,  and the Chocolate cake  is  hands down  the best I have ever had .
One  issue that I do have is  the drive thru  ,  it constantly  screws the order up  so  double check the order  before you drive off.
You know, I think this place appeals to all sorts of people.
No, really, I am POSITIVE that it does.
The Portillo's side of the restaurant has all sorts of classics, such as hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef, the usual suspects in Chicago hot dog stands. If this does not appeal to your palate, then you may looks at the Barnelli's side, which you can get anything from a salad, ribs, pasta, pizza, anything! If you can't pick from any menu, I really cannot understand how you live day to day.
The taste is amazing. The price could be better, but I still find myself going here time after time for the quality and the atmosphere. It's a Chicago classic and a must-see for out-of-town guests (and I mean that for those who do not live in Chicago or the suburbs).
This Chicago area chain is an iconic representation of "Chicago Style" food. Â You can read the whole story either on line or in one their restaurants. Â The CL store is tucked away from mainstream traffic, but almost everyone knows where it is. Â Menu items are pretty typical of fast food, except they do it better than the Wendy's, BK and McD. Â Service is usually fast and friendly.. Â Haven't used the drive thru. Have not had a service or food misfire here or at other area locations.
Review Source:If you want the best italian beef in the country you found portillos. Seriously TRY IT and if I'm wrong contact me with something better. The burgers are great too plus they have crinkle cut fries. Â The chocolate cake is the best I've ever had too which I know sounds strange to be coming out if a fast food joint.
Review Source:A Chicago Institution. I have never, in my life had something from Portillos that wasn't delicious. Their burgers are the best fast food burger around, IMO. And yes, it is just an opinion. Don't be one of those people that thinks their opinion is fact, no one likes that.
Admittingly , it's been a while since I've had Portillo's but the flavors and memories have not escaped me. Oh no, I've had many a burger and fries here.
Food is fantastic, hands down. I would definitely skip the drive thru. Usually a fair experience but when it goes wrong, it really goes wrong. From meatless hamburgers to an inordinate amount of wait time, you can have it all. Their style is to get the quick orders out first, so if your order is something that might take more time, like a hamburger, or apparently fries, or a milkshake, expect for many cars who order after you and are behind you  in line to get served first. After you see many cars, like seven, leave and then are asked to go to the window where they tell you the fries are not ready, and then after a few minutes asked to park in the lot and they will bring it out to you, you might just want to leave. After waiting more than five minutes in the lot, you begin to feel like you are being held hostage because remember you have already paid for the this not so delightful affront.
When you ask to speak to a manager, not only do they not apologize, they just explain and re-explain their system, the one that has you sitting there and waiting for fries.... uh huh.
No coupons, no compensation, no refund and no thank you.
The order was one big beef, three hot dogs, two cheese burgers, four large fries and a strawberry shake. Now they told us they didn't have fries and that was why we again had to wait......right. Portillos did not have enough fries. My husband said, if you told me it was the cheese burgers I might have believed you, but you are not going to tell me that all those people who left already did not order fries....
So, great food, poor service outside, customer service training needed. Yes, when you pay in advance and get treated badly, your customer service needs tweaking and so does your procedure.
The manager had no business card, no last name and no apology. I guess when you are such a big chain, you have so much volume that you don't have to worry about customers the way a small business might. "Jim", you get an F.
We waited 27 minutes in the DRIVE THRU.
Perhaps one of the happiest days of my life was when I realized that Crystal Lake had a Portillo's. I shouldn't have been surprised, but after moving to Algonquin from Wheaton just over two years ago, I was becoming convinced that Portillo's would have to be less a part of my life from here on out. Not so, and thank goodness.
This location is on par with the many of the others, and is definitely nice. It has the Barnelli's attached, which my wife really likes, but I always go for the beef (dipped, with hot peppers). Never disappointed with a trip to Portillo's.
This place is very good for a quick hot dog with some decent fries.
I enjoy a hot dog now and then and this place makes a decent Chicago dog. Â They don't stand out like Gold Coast dogs or various other locations but get the job done fine.
The inside is very Disney like in the sense that it is decorated to have a theme of like an old factory or some such.
The Italian beef sandwiches are also good. Â Once again nothing has a huge amount of character like the quality of the bread for example that would push this into a higher rating. Â I wish they warmed the bun more or maybe even used garlic bread... For their beefs or something to make their sandwiches over the top. :)
The staff isn't ever very friendly but they aren't ill tempered either just seem like factory worker get the job done employees.
:)
Was nice....havent been to a Portillos in a bit....quite a bit actually. Â Good food...maybe alittle pricey. Â Good stuff...but nothing super duper about it.
Staff was friendly, place was clean, and the knick knacks within are cool. Â Parking was in a shared mall....it is kinda in a weird cul de sac location...and follow the same way you came in cause the other way leads to a dark place (which for me was 10:30 at night t a dark dead end.)
But yeah otherwsie not bad....but not WOW.
In my opinion, for an Italian beef / hot dog joint, this is the BEST. Consistant as heck! Staff is always SOOOO pleasant!! They are also competent and have great attitudes. I love their Italian beef, their fries, their strawberry shortcake, their cheddar beef croissant, and their hot dogs. My ONLY complaint is I wish they'd remember to take the pink ticket off my windshield that they put on - they forget to remove 50% of the time.
Review Source:It was quite busy, but they handle large crowds quickly. Â I'd recommend the Italian Beef! Â Get it dipped for some extra flavor!
It's a great place to take kids because it's loud and large so they can run around a little and not really be a bother to anyone. Â They love the food too!
Then hot dogs are really good, but surprisingly, I am a fan of the fish sandwich. The portion is out of this world and I savored every bite of the fried fish goodness. The polish sausage is nothing like what we get in Wisconsin, it was smoked polish, but it was pretty good. The atmosphere is crazy, everyone is so foodcentric here.
Review Source:I honestly can't say anything bad about this place. Â I've been here a million times and have always had crazy fast service and they've never messed up my order. Â Everyone is friendly. Â The drive thru could be jammed packed and you can be thru there in 5 min. Â
They have their customer service down to a T. +1
And now for the food....
My normal fare would be cheeseburger, cheese fry and diet coke....but I've had to make some lifestyle changes ( shocking, I know based on the above). Â However, this location has a barnellis' too. Â +1 Â So now, I'm in love love love with the chopped salad. Â
In love period.
I love love their Chicago style hot dogs and I they have the best onion rings that I've ever had. Â I also am a big fan of the chopped salad on the Barnelli's side. Â However, I will never again try to have both the salad and the hot dog in the same sitting to satisfy two cravings at once, though luckily enough they have to-go boxes readily available. Â I'm subtracting a star because of the no refills deal and it can get rather loud in the dining room. Â The place is always busy which is a good thing and there are some interesting staff - one particular woman who gave out the orders had creative sayings when calling the numbers.
Review Source:Very good fast food but pricey. Â A Portillo's hot dog with small fries and a drink costs like $7.50, and you don't get refills on the drink. Â Lots of kids in dining room. Â
I didn't see any mention of Barnelli's Pasta Bowl in the reviews I skimmed - it is adjoining this location. Â You get a good "value" if you get the homemade minestrone soup that is served with a half loaf of fresh bread, or the kids spaghetti/meatball (not plural on the meatball, lol). Â . Â Also, you cannot order Barnelli's items at the drive thru.
I'm rating this a 4 star because of the food quality, however I feel its really a 3 star for me because its expensive for fast food hot dogs and because I have to park to get Barnelli's.
What is the first thing ya do when you go to Chicago......I can tell you the first place we drive to. This place makes my mouth water. When I left Chicago many years ago, other than deep dish pizza, this place made me miss Chi-Town so much. Something about this place, they know how to make Italian Beef sandwiches. Yes, they are the very BEST!! No one compares.
Italian Beef dipped, of course with Mozzarella cheese and hot peppers, oh my it gives you a huge foodgasm!!! Greasy, excellent fresh bread, awesome juice, thinly sliced beef to perfection. Fries are crinkled cut and always fresh and hot. Then another must is their tamale....oh so good, a bit spicy and delish.
Now the hot dog's do not do it for me. I still prefer "Jimmy's hot dog's in the city. All of their locations are clean, great service, fast with plenty room to dine in. The drive-thru's are quick and professional. This place is fast food at it's best.
Seriously glad we do not have one here in Miami because I would weigh 300 pounds. I could never get tired of eating here.
Disclaimer: Be prepared, you will use a million paper napkins and feel like a grease pit after eating one. But oh so worth it.....
I love you Portillo's!
I understand that my pescetarianism makes me semi-unqualified to review Portillo's. Â After all, they're famous for their hot dogs and beef, right? Â Whatever. Â They have other stuff...Barnelli's, etc. Â But it's just not that great if you don't want to eat what they're famous for. Â The ONE noteworthy menu item that I seriously dream about--the CHOCOLATE CAKE. Â AMG (ahhhh mahhhh gaddddd) it is SIIIIIICK (in a good way). Â Rumor has it that they bake it with mayo...and mayo makes pretty much everything better so that makes sense, right?
Review Source:Portillo's just rocks. Period. Their food is AMAZING. Always fresh. Always awesome. That chocolate cake? To die for and a great easy dessert to order for a big party you're having- also hello, check out their catering menu: I get their Italian Beef whenever I have a party and I have to beg people to leave my house it's sooo amazing. (and reasonable IMO). The staff is attentive and friendly. Sometimes the drive-through can be a wait...but that is a testament to how much the food will blow your mind. I simply cannot have a fast food burger after having Portillo's. And the meatballs- YUMMTASTIC.
Review Source:Sure it's big. But their food is unbeatable. It *is* classic Chicago food. And their just-in-time manufacturing system should be studied in universities everywhere for it's model efficiency. From their burgers to their soups to their beef to their authentic Chicago style hot dogs, Portillo's does just about everything right.
Review Source:I usually hate any place that is part of a chain, but Portillo's is by-and-far the best fast food chain in Illinois.  They focus on quality and customer service, which results in high volume and a comparatively high price-point  - but they deserve it.
The Italian (Bg) Beef and Chili Dog are better than anyone's.
Yummy. All kinds of dogs/polish, burgers, and beef type sandwiches. I love the Italian Beef with sweet peppers.
This place gets very busy at the peak times. The parking lots around will be full. Not so bad really, unless it's really cold or bad weather.
There is also a Pasta restaurant in the same building so you can get pasta, bread, salad etc. It's got a separate kitchen and line  and everything. The prices are kind of high though so be prepared for a little sticker shock on that side.
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