If you know someone from Chicago, chances are you've heard of Portillo's. First opened as a hot dog stand in Chicago, Portillo's [1] has expanded into a full-on restaurant with multiple locations throughout Illinois and across the country. What sets Portillo's apart is that it's not famous for just one thing. Sure, the hot dogs are great — this is Chicago we're talking about, after all — but don't even get us started on the Italian beef sandwiches. Or the perfectly crispy fries. Or the chocolate cake, which even has non-chocolate-lovers like me scraping their plates.
The menu can vary at different locations [2], but no matter where you are, you'll definitely enjoy a good meal. Keep reading for a look at why Portillo's deserves a spot on your food bucket list, and prepare to start drooling.
Yes, of course, the hot dogs are incredible.
(Duh.)
It doesn't matter what you put on them — they're awesome.
You might want to order a few.
But then there's the Italian beef sandwich, which will honestly change you.
You can get it wet (extra juicy) or not, and it comes with or without peppers.
Not into those options? Well, the burger's great too.
You can't really go wrong.
And so are the salads!
Especially the poppyseed fruit salad with chicken.
But if we're being honest, you don't really go to Portillo's for the salads, so you should probably get a hot dog too.
Just saying.
Meanwhile, no meal would be complete without the fries . . .
Especially THESE fries.
It's honestly worth going just for the crinkle-cut fries, which are perfectly cooked.
Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle.
Make that the CHEESE fries.
You'll want to get some extra cheese.
Or, for all the weirdos out there who don't like cheese, there's always ketchup.
You know, whatever suits your fancy.
You can wash it all down with a giant beer . . .
Why not?
And then top it off with Portillo's famous chocolate cake.
It is so, so good.
Or a CHOCOLATE CAKE SHAKE.
Yes, this is a thing that exists.
Bottom line: you'll never, ever leave hungry.