Welcome to Portillo’s at 221 E Townline Road! Dive into the authentic taste of Chicago Street food at our 30s-40s Prohibition themed restaurant, just 0.5 miles from Hawthorn Mall & Townline Commons. Savor our char-broiled burgers, Italian Beef Sandwiches, iconic Chicago-style hot dogs, and fresh chopped salad. Don’t miss out on our famous chocolate cake shake to top off your meal. Open late and designed for family-friendly dining, Portillo’s is the ultimate spot for delicious fast food in a fun atmosphere. Plus, we offer convenient delivery and catering options to bring our Chicago favorites right to your door. We look forward to seeing you!
While many customers praised the food as delicious and satisfying, there were several complaints about inconsistency in taste and quality, particularly regarding specific items like the Italian beef and cakes.
Service Experience
Overall, customers reported positive experiences with friendly and accommodating staff, although some noted a decline in personal service and efficiency in order fulfillment.
Cleanliness
Feedback on cleanliness was mixed; some locations were described as clean and well-maintained, while others reported unsanitary conditions, particularly in restrooms and food preparation areas.
Atmosphere
The nostalgic and themed atmosphere of the restaurant was frequently highlighted as a positive aspect, contributing to the overall dining experience.
Order Accuracy
There were multiple mentions of issues with order accuracy, including missing items and incorrect food preparation, which frustrated some customers.
JJ
Jennifer
6 days ago
3.0
I hate to write a bad review about any place but I really do think I’m done with Portillo‘s. I think the staff running the show outside and in the drive-through are doing a phenomenal job, my issue with this location is the food. The chop salad I ordered today had zero flavor doesn’t taste anything like how it used to from back in the day and the chocolate cake is the same thing it used to be so moist and delicious and now I feel like I’m eating cake that was made four days ago. Not good, tasteless blah food.
BF
Brita Ferm
Nov 17, 2025
5.0
Very casual space, kinda noisy, excellent comfort food. Onion rings outstanding! Great shakes and desserts. One of our favorite places, especially with a 2 year old.
JL
Jeff Lockwood
Nov 15, 2025
1.0
The white lady in the glasses needs an attitude check, she was extremely rude. If she could reach through the window and choke me, she would.
SR
Steve Reeves
Nov 9, 2025
5.0
As always, Portillo's was great! Delicious food. Fast, friendly service. Great atmosphere. The Spicy Chicken Salad was delicious! My wife said the Meatball Sub was great. We also had french fries and onion rings. For dessert we had Strawberry shortcake... And Carmel cake. Everything was perfect. Highly recommended!!!
JJ
Jayden
Oct 26, 2025
5.0
Absolutely nice people. I accidentally braked too hard and my food dropped everywhere. I went back expecting to pay again to replace the food but they re made it ,after I explained what happened, with no cost at all! I will be coming back here more often. 10/10 service
Frequently Asked Questions About Portillo's & Barnelli's Vernon Hills
What are the regular operating hours for Portillo's & Barnelli's Vernon Hills?
Portillo's & Barnelli's Vernon Hills is open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM, with extended hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Does Portillo's Vernon Hills have drive-through service?
Yes, Portillo's Vernon Hills offers drive-through service with hours matching the main restaurant hours, open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Is Portillo's Vernon Hills family-friendly?
Yes, the restaurant welcomes families and children, offering a fun atmosphere with seating options including high chairs for young guests.
What types of payment does Portillo's Vernon Hills accept?
Portillo's Vernon Hills accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards. Debit card payments are also accepted; cash is not required.
Does Portillo's Vernon Hills provide catering and delivery services?
Yes, they offer convenient delivery and catering options to bring their Chicago-style favorites right to your door.
Are there outdoor seating and wheelchair accessible facilities at Portillo's Vernon Hills?
Yes, Portillo's Vernon Hills has outdoor seating along with wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restroom facilities to accommodate all guests.
What nearby places can I visit before or after dining at Portillo's Vernon Hills?
Nearby you can visit Hawthorn Mall and Townline Commons, which are about 0.5 miles away, for shopping and entertainment before or after your meal.
Is there a convenient transit landmark near Portillo's Vernon Hills to help me find the location?
You can use landmarks such as the nearby Western Union money transfer service or Target Store Vernon-Hills to help guide you to Portillo's at 221 Townline Rd.
Are there other dining options near Portillo's Vernon Hills?
Yes, nearby dining options include Barnelli's Pasta Bowl for Italian cuisine, Wendy's and Panda Express for fast food, and Jameson's Charhouse for American steakhouse fare.
Does Portillo's Vernon Hills serve late-night food?
Yes, the restaurant serves late-night food with its drive-through and dine-in services available until 11:30 PM on most days and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.