Portillo's serves Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and sides from a counter-service model across the Midwest and beyond
Portillo's is a fast-casual restaurant chain that started in Chicago in 1979 and now operates in multiple states. The menu centers on Chicago-style hot dogs — which come with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, peppers, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun, never ketchup — alongside Italian beef sandwiches (thinly sliced seasoned beef on a long roll, often dipped in gravy), and sides like fresh-cut fries, onion rings, and coleslaw. You order at a counter, pay, and pick up your food when called. Most locations have indoor seating and some have drive-through windows.
The chain is known for portion sizes — sandwiches and platters are large — and for consistency across locations. Prices vary by location and have changed over time, so checking the restaurant's website or calling ahead gives you current pricing for your nearest Portillo's.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago-style hot dogs at Portillo's come with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, peppers, and celery salt — ketchup is not part of the traditional order.
- Italian beef sandwiches are the other signature item and come as a regular sandwich or dipped (soaked in gravy), with an option to add cheese.
- You order and pay at the counter, then wait for your number to be called before picking up your food.
- Most Portillo's locations have drive-through service, though some are counter-only or have limited seating.
- Portion sizes are large, and many people split a sandwich or take half home.
The Chicago-Style Hot Dog and What Makes It Different
A Portillo's Chicago-style hot dog is built in a specific order: mustard (yellow), relish (bright green), onions (white diced), tomatoes (red slices), pickles (dill spears), sport peppers (small green peppers, spicy), and celery salt. The hot dog itself sits on a poppy seed bun. Ketchup is traditionally not used on a Chicago dog, and many locals consider it incorrect to add it.
The hot dog comes as a single or double. A single is one hot dog on one bun; a double is two hot dogs on one bun. You can also order it "all the way," which means it comes with all the standard toppings. If you want to leave something off or add something (like extra peppers or no tomatoes), you can request that when you order.
Sport peppers are the spicy element — they are small, thin, and quite hot. If you are not used to spicy food, you can ask for them on the side or request none at all. The rest of the toppings are mild.
Italian Beef Sandwiches and How to Order Them
An Italian beef sandwich at Portillo's is thinly sliced seasoned roast beef piled onto a long roll. The meat comes with gravy (a thin, savory sauce). You have two main choices: a regular sandwich (the meat and roll, with gravy on the side for dipping) or a dipped sandwich (the entire sandwich soaked in gravy).
You can also add cheese — usually melted mozzarella or provolone — which turns it into a "cheesy beef." Some people order it "wet," which means extra gravy. The sandwich is large and messy to eat, especially if dipped, so napkins are essential.
A common order is a dipped Italian beef with cheese and hot peppers on the side. Hot peppers here are usually longer, milder peppers (like banana peppers), not the sport peppers from the hot dog. You can ask what pepper options are available at your location.
Sides, Desserts, and Beverages
Portillo's sides include fresh-cut fries, crinkle-cut fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and mozzarella sticks. The fries are made fresh throughout the day. Onion rings are hand-breaded. Portions are large — a single order of fries or rings is often enough for two people.
Desserts include chocolate cake, lemon cake, and seasonal items. Shakes and malts come in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Beverages include soft drinks, coffee, and iced tea. Portillo's also sells whole cakes and pies that you can order for pickup, though these require advance notice at some locations.
How to Order and Pay
Walk up to the counter and tell the cashier what you want. Have your order ready — you can look at the menu board while you wait in line. The cashier will repeat your order back to you, you pay (cash or card), and you receive a number or receipt.
Find a seat or wait near the pickup area. When your number is called or your name is announced, go to the counter to pick up your food. During busy times (lunch, dinner, weekends), wait times can be 10 to 20 minutes even if the line looks short, because the kitchen is handling many orders at once.
If your location has a drive-through, you can order from your car. The process is the same — you tell the speaker your order, pay at the window, and receive your food at the next window. Drive-through lines can also be long during peak hours.
Dietary Restrictions and Menu Modifications
Portillo's does not have a dedicated vegetarian or vegan menu, but you can order sides like fries, onion rings, and coleslaw. Some locations offer salads, though salad availability varies. You can ask the staff what options work for your diet when you order.
If you have a food allergy, tell the cashier before you order. Portillo's handles many allergens in the kitchen (nuts, dairy, gluten, soy), and cross-contamination is possible. The staff can tell you which items are safest for your allergy, but you should also check the restaurant's allergen information online or call ahead if you have a severe allergy.
Portillo's does not publish a full nutritional menu online at all locations, so if you need specific calorie or sodium information, call your local restaurant or visit their website.
Locations and Hours
Portillo's has locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona, with expansion continuing. Hours vary by location — most are open for lunch and dinner, and some open for breakfast. Check the Portillo's website or Google Maps for your nearest location, hours, and whether that location has a drive-through.
During holidays, some locations may have reduced hours or be closed. Calling ahead or checking online before you go saves a trip if the location is unexpectedly closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order online or through an app?
Portillo's does not offer online ordering or delivery through third-party apps at most locations. You order in person at the counter or through the drive-through. Some locations may have their own app or website ordering option — check your local restaurant's website to see what is available.
What is the difference between a regular and dipped Italian beef?
A regular Italian beef comes with gravy on the side for dipping. A dipped sandwich is soaked in gravy before you receive it. Dipped sandwiches are messier to eat but have more flavor from the gravy. If you are unsure, ask for it regular and dip it yourself — you can always add more gravy.
Are the hot dogs really made without ketchup?
Chicago-style hot dogs traditionally do not include ketchup. Portillo's serves them that way by default. You can ask for ketchup if you want it, but it is not part of the standard order. Many Chicago natives consider ketchup on a hot dog incorrect, though the choice is yours.
How big are the portions?
Portions are large. A single Italian beef sandwich or hot dog with fries is often a full meal for one person, and many people split a sandwich or take half home. If you are ordering for multiple people, one sandwich per person is usually more than enough.
Do you need to tip at Portillo's?
Portillo's is counter-service, so tipping is optional, not required. Some locations have a tip jar or a tip screen at the register. You can tip if you choose, but it is not expected the way it is at a sit-down restaurant.