Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

Reviews

• SS

  Shayer S

  3 days ago
  4.0
  A local coworker said we must hit Portillo’s in Chicago and try the Italian beef, cheeseburgers (her favorite) and hot dogs. I couldn’t eat all of that in one go so she recommended the Italian beef sandwich if I could only pick one. I went with the Big Italian Beef Sandwich, with oven roasted sweet peppers, hot giardiniera peppers, and gravy on the side. I added cheddar cheese and got a small order of onion rings on the side. The sub was pretty big but two things stood out: it wasn’t cut in half so it was tricky to eat, and the cheddar wasn’t melted which was disappointing. Overall, I liked the sub. The highlight for me was the Turano French bread. The meat tasted good but didn’t really stand out, and I didn't care for the gravy which is the natural juice from the roasting process. The peppers added a lot of flavor and yes, it was greasy, but that’s expected. Overall, I'm glad I tried it. Surprisingly, the onion rings stole the show. For a small, they were packed and deep fried to perfection. I also got cheese sauce for dipping which went well with both the sub and the rings. The place itself is huge and full of character. There are separate spots for in person orders and takeout. We went during lunch on a workday and it was pretty busy inside. I’m glad this came recommended. If I make it back to Portillo’s, I’ll definitely try the char broiled cheeseburgers and hot dogs.
• MM

  Martha Medina

  6 days ago
  5.0
  When you visit Chicago, everyone tells you that you have to try a Chicago-style hot dog, so we ended up at Portillo’s — and it was a great choice! The ordering system is super easy: you walk in, place your order on a screen, and then wait for them to call your number. Everything was quick and organized. We tried the classic Chicago-style hot dog and also the Italian Beef sandwich because so many people recommended it — and both were delicious. The place is big with plenty of seating, and the decor has a fun retro vibe that makes it feel like a classic Chicago spot.
• AM

  Azariah Mullen

  Nov 17, 2025
  5.0
  Stopped by for a few drinks and snacks, the vibe is super fun, kind of that classic Chicago meets cozy Italian feel. Grabbed a cocktail and a couple of beers, and the Italian beef sliders were amazing while sipping. The staff were chill and kept the drinks coming, even when it got busy. Ended the night with a chocolate cake shake… because why not? Definitely a spot I’d hit again for drinks and bites.
• GD

  G Dj

  Nov 13, 2025
  4.0
  I visited Portillo’s in Chicago recently and had a pretty good experience. The restaurant has a fun, retro vibe, and it’s great that they offer both dine-in and drive-through options. I tried the Italian beef sandwich and a chocolate cake shake. The sandwich had good flavor and the bread was soft yet slightly crunchy, though I wished the beef was a bit juicier. The shake was rich and sweet, definitely a highlight. Service was fast, and the staff were friendly, but the restaurant felt a little crowded and noisy at times. Overall, it’s a solid spot for classic Chicago-style fast food, and I’d return to try more menu items.
• VV

  Vic VicIrish

  Nov 10, 2025
  5.0
  This place was worth the visit D Double Lish. Ordered from the kiosk got our condiments while we waited and sat in the enclosed outdoor patio area. The inside was very cool with lots of history and things to look at. Everyone there was doing something everyone was busy no slackers here that I saw, all smiles too. So for the real reason we’re here the food was on point for my tastebuds wife loved hers as well. I had the Italian beef with gravy on the side with fries wife had the Maxwell with fries and root beer she said root beer was really good.(picture provided for more details on order) There are probably way better places I’m no expert but this was a hit for us. Definitely will make this a must stop on our food list next time we’re in the city with strong shoulders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago