What Portillo's Milkshakes Are
Portillo's is a fast-casual restaurant chain based in the Midwest, and their milkshakes are made to order at the counter using real ice cream, milk, and mix-ins you choose. Unlike a chain that pours from a machine, a Portillo's shake is blended fresh each time you order, which means the texture and flavor depend on what you pick and how busy the location is that day.
The chain started in Chicago in 1979 and has expanded to multiple states, primarily in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Florida. Each location has a counter where you order and a pickup area where your shake arrives in a cup or a dipped cone.
Key Takeaways
- Portillo's milkshakes are blended fresh to order using real ice cream, not a pre-made mix or soft-serve machine.
- You choose your base flavor, add mix-ins like candy or cookies, and decide whether you want it in a cup or dipped in chocolate on a cone.
- Prices vary by location and mix-in choice, but a basic shake typically costs between $5 and $8.
- Portillo's locations are concentrated in the Midwest, so availability depends on whether there is a restaurant near you.
How to Order a Portillo's Milkshake
Walk up to the counter and tell the employee you want a milkshake. They will ask you to choose a base flavor — common options include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and seasonal flavors that change throughout the year. Once you pick your base, you can add mix-ins: crushed cookies, candy pieces, brownie chunks, or other toppings blended into the shake itself.
You also decide whether you want your shake in a cup or dipped. A dipped shake means the rim of a cone is dipped in melted chocolate or another coating, then filled with your shake. This costs more than a cup but gives you a cone to eat once you finish the shake.
Tell the employee your choices, pay at the register, and wait for your name to be called. Most shakes are ready within five to ten minutes during normal hours, though wait times are longer during peak times like lunch or dinner.
Popular Portillo's Shake Flavors and Mix-Ins
Portillo's rotates seasonal flavors, so what is available changes by month and location. Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are usually available year-round. Seasonal options have included flavors like mint chocolate chip, cookie butter, and pumpkin spice in fall.
Mix-in choices typically include crushed Oreos, brownie pieces, caramel, hot fudge, peanut butter, and candy like M&Ms or Reese's pieces. Some locations offer limited-time mix-ins that pair with seasonal base flavors. The employee can tell you what is available on the day you visit.
Dipped cone options usually include chocolate, but some locations offer other coatings like rainbow sprinkles or colored chocolate. Ask what dip flavors are in stock when you order.
Portillo's Shake Prices and Size Options
A basic milkshake in a cup typically costs between $5 and $8, depending on your location and whether you add mix-ins. Adding mix-ins usually costs $0.50 to $1.50 extra. A dipped shake costs more than a cup shake — usually $1 to $2 extra — because you are paying for the cone and the dipping coating.
Portillo's does not publish a single national price list, so costs vary by restaurant and by region. Locations in urban areas or high-cost states tend to charge more than suburban or rural locations. The best way to know the exact price is to check the menu board at your nearest Portillo's or call ahead.
Most Portillo's locations offer one standard size for shakes, though some may have options. If size choices are available, the employee will mention them when you order.
Where to Find Portillo's Locations
Portillo's has restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Florida. The chain is concentrated in the Chicago area and surrounding Midwest cities. If you are not sure whether there is a location near you, visit the Portillo's website and use their location finder tool, which shows addresses, hours, and phone numbers for every restaurant.
You can also call a location directly to ask about current shake flavors and mix-in options before you visit. This is especially useful if you are looking for a specific seasonal flavor or want to know if a particular mix-in is in stock.
Ordering Portillo's Shakes Online or for Pickup
Many Portillo's locations accept orders through their website or mobile app for pickup at the counter. When you order online, you select your base flavor and mix-ins the same way you would at the register, then choose a pickup time. The shake is made fresh when you arrive to pick it up, not made in advance and held.
Online ordering can save time during busy hours because your order is already in the system when you arrive. However, shakes are not typically delivered by third-party services like DoorDash or Uber Eats, since they do not travel well and are meant to be consumed right away. Check your local Portillo's app or website to see whether online ordering is available at your location.
What Makes Portillo's Shakes Different From Chain Competitors
Most national fast-food chains use a shake machine that dispenses a pre-made mix, then adds ice cream. Portillo's blends each shake individually using real ice cream and milk, which means the texture is thicker and the flavor is more intense. The trade-off is that it takes longer and costs more than a machine shake.
Portillo's also lets you customize mix-ins in ways that many chains do not. You are not limited to a preset menu of shake flavors — you can combine any base with any mix-in available that day. This flexibility is one reason people who live near a Portillo's often prefer their shakes to competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Portillo's shake delivered to my home?
Most Portillo's locations do not partner with delivery services for shakes because they do not travel well and melt quickly. Your best option is to order online through the Portillo's app or website for pickup at the counter, then consume it right away.
Are Portillo's milkshakes made with dairy-free ice cream?
Portillo's shakes are made with traditional dairy ice cream. If you need a dairy-free option, call your local Portillo's to ask whether they have non-dairy ice cream in stock, as this varies by location and is not may provide.
What is the difference between a dipped shake and a regular shake?
A dipped shake has a cone dipped in melted chocolate or another coating, then filled with your shake. A regular shake comes in a cup. The dipped version costs more but gives you a cone to eat after you finish the shake.
Do Portillo's shake prices include tax?
Prices shown on the menu board or app do not include sales tax, which varies by state and location. The final price you pay at the register will be higher than the menu price.
Can I order a shake without mix-ins?
Yes. You can order a shake with just a base flavor and no mix-ins added. This is the least expensive option and is ready faster than a shake with multiple mix-ins.