Portillo's Kennesaw

Reviews

• TS

  Tom Sharp

  5 days ago
  5.0
  I couldn’t be more thrilled that Portillo’s has finally arrived in Kennesaw, Georgia! As someone who grew up enjoying Portillo’s in the Chicago area, this was a nostalgic treat. I had the pleasure of attending both the invite-only soft opening and the grand opening, and both experiences were fantastic. The excitement was evident, with long lines of eager fans, but it was well worth the wait. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the experience even more enjoyable. The menu is a food lover’s dream: from their iconic Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs to mouth-watering burgers, crispy fries, and delicious desserts. There’s something for everyone, and everything is top-notch. Plus, the convenience of their hours, open from around 10 AM until 11:30/12, means you can satisfy your craving pretty much any time of day. I highly recommend checking out this new location. It’s a wonderful addition to the community and brings a piece of Chicago to Georgia!
• PL

  Paul Lattanzi

  6 days ago
  1.0
  I first don't like to leave bad reviews especially about a place I adore, since I was born and raised in Chicago but felt I needed to leave this review for the owners to read. Around 6pm on November 18th, opening day, I drove in to place a food order utilizing the drive through. I was told by a very rude and dismissive woman that they closed the drive through and the parking lot and that I would need to remote park and stand in line. She stated they wanted to take care of the 100 plus people first that made the choice to stand outside. I left because the managers that were hired to run this location were totally dismissive about the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA. Many people are unfortunately handicap and are not able to walk long distances or stand for long periods of time. Complete let down and saddened by the way opening day was handled all the way around.
• LT

  Lida Turner

  Nov 17, 2025
  5.0
  Just had an incredible first visit to the brand-new Portillo’s in Kennesaw, GA, and I’m already planning my next trip back! This place is massive and beautifully designed—you can tell they put a lot of thought into the layout. Ordering options galore: traditional counter, self-service kiosks, or the drive-thru, so no matter how you roll, it’s quick and easy. Even with a packed house and a long line ahead of us, the staff was lightning-fast and super professional. Food was out in under 10 minutes—insane for a grand-opening-level crowd! We went with chili cheese dogs and a classic Chicago dog, and everything was spot-on perfect. The buns held up beautifully (zero sogginess even with all that chili), the dogs were snappy, and the toppings were generous and fresh. We devoured the chili dogs so fast we totally forgot to dip the fries in the cheese sauce… guess we’ll just have to come back sooner! 😄 They did miss one small item on our order, but the team fixed it instantly with a smile—no fuss, no wait. That kind of quick, friendly recovery is exactly why Portillo’s has the reputation it does. Bonus: they’ve got a great merchandise section with super-cute magnets, t-shirts, and even pet collars (my dog is getting one next time)! They also sell their famous Italian beef kits pre-packaged to take home and make whenever the craving hits—genius for us Georgia folks who now have real Chicago beef on demand. If you’re anywhere near Kennesaw, do yourself a favor and go. This location is already running like a well-oiled machine. Absolute 5-star experience—welcome to Georgia, Portillo’s! Can’t wait to become a regular. 🚗🌭
• MP

  Michael Potts

  Nov 12, 2025
  5.0
  Portillo's Sneak Peek: The Italian Beef Hype is Absolutely Real! ​I was incredibly lucky this week to get a sneak peek inside the new Portillo's location, and let me tell you, if you've heard great things about this Chicago institution, believe every word. My anticipation was high, but the food and the experience absolutely blew me away. ​The Combo That Changed Everything ​You can't go to Portillo's for the first time without trying their signature dish, so I went straight for the Italian Beef and Sausage Combo. I ordered it dipped, naturally, and, crucially, decided to add the cheese sauce—a decision that instantly proved to be pure genius. ​From the first bite, it was just amazing. The Italian Beef was incredibly tender and flavorful, complemented perfectly by the robust, spicy kick of the sausage. The bread, soaked in that savory au jus (the "dip"), held everything together just long enough to deliver a perfect, messy bite. The addition of the creamy, rich cheese sauce was the true game-changer, transforming an already iconic sandwich into a next-level indulgence. It's the kind of sandwich that makes you forget your manners and just focus on the flavor. ​Ready for the Grand Opening ​Every element, from the speed of service to the quality of the ingredients, was top-notch. It's clear that the new Portillo's is ready to bring that legendary experience to our area. ​Having heard so much about this place over the years, I am genuinely glad I got to experience it firsthand. The Italian Beef is certainly the star, and I'm already planning my next visit (and what cheese-covered item I'll be trying next). Get ready, everyone, because the grand opening can't come soon enough! This place is going to be packed.
• KG

  Karina Gutierrez

  Nov 2, 2025
  5.0
  Portillo‘s was my first job when I turned 15. My sisters and I all worked there in high school. We built a lot of friendships there and if you went to our school Portillo’s was the place to go with your friends, after a game, or before homecoming. Over the years, Portillo‘s menu has changed, and there were a lot of great items that are no longer offered like the vegetarian burger, which had Roasted squash, red pepper and a huge portobello mushroom on a tomato bread (first version) and lastly altered into a multigrain bread. I would always add a chicken “nudie” Which is just simply a grilled chicken breast, and it was deliciously paired with the chipotle dressing from the salad bar. The salad bar options have also conformed to standard salad options that other restaurants offer. I will say, though that the Chopped salad is their signature salad, which is really good. But I recall they used to have a southwest salad and a poppyseed salad with fruit mandarin strawberries the sweet tangy flavor and came with a poppyseed muffin. I can’t believe they got rid of all these amazing menu items. Barnellis by Portillo’s, also used to have this green pesto pasta, which was so creamy and delicious. I believe after Mr. Patillo’s passed his son’s sold the restaurant and is now become more of a franchise. Although they don’t offer my favorite things on the menu anymore, they still hold a good name for Chicago style hot dogs, Polish dogs, and Italian beef and let’s not forget cheese fries and chocolate cake. I know the secret ingredient! Please note that everything is sold separately so your drink your fries your burger. There is no combo unless that has changed, then I stand corrected. It’s nostalgic and comforting to know that Portillos has made its way to Georgia and I will gladly make the drive to Kennesaw to see if they can still hold Portillo's true value.

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