Portillo's Hot Dogs

Portillo's Hot Dogs is a renowned American fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in Chicago-style street food. Founded in 1963 by Dick Portillo in Villa Park, Illinois, it started as a modest hot dog stand named "The Dog House."

Over the decades, Portillo's has expanded significantly, now operating over 70 locations across multiple states, including Illinois, California, Florida, and Texas.

Menu Highlights

The menu at Portillo's celebrates classic Chicago cuisine. Signature items include the Chicago-style hot dog, Italian beef sandwiches, Maxwell Street Polish sausages, char-grilled burgers, and a variety of salads.

A standout is the Italian beef sandwich, featuring slow-roasted beef thinly sliced and served on freshly baked French bread, dipped in hot gravy made from a proprietary blend of seasonings.

For dessert, the homemade chocolate cake and the chocolate cake shake are customer favorites.

Recent Innovations

In April 2025, Portillo's introduced a limited-trial breakfast menu at six Chicago-area restaurants. Menu items included a Polish sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, and a chocolate cake doughnut topped with signature chocolate cake frosting.

In May 2025, during Italian Beef Month, Portillo's honored Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost's election as Pope Leo XIV by offering "The Leo," an Italian beef sandwich with extra gravy.

Expansion and Locations

Portillo's has been expanding its presence in various states. In June 2024, it announced plans to open new locations in Katy and Stafford, Texas, bringing its Chicago-style hot dogs to the Houston area.

January 2023 saw the opening of its first North Texas location in The Colony, which has been highly successful, averaging nearly $50,000 in daily revenue.

As of July 2025, Portillo's operates in several states:

• Illinois
• California
• Florida
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Texas
• Wisconsin
• Madison, WI, USA

Summary

Portillo's Hot Dogs offers a nostalgic dining experience with a menu that pays homage to Chicago's rich culinary heritage.

With its commitment to quality, innovation, and expansion, Portillo's remains a beloved destination for those seeking authentic Chicago-style cuisine.