I stopped here because I wanted to try a Chicago classic without making it a huge event. The restaurant is casual and moves quickly, but it still feels like a place people are genuinely excited about. I ordered the Italian beef sandwich, Chicago-style hot dog, cheese fries, and chocolate cake shake.
The Italian beef was the thing I liked most. The bread soaked up the juices without completely falling apart, and the peppers added a nice extra flavor. The hot dog was simple but had all the toppings that make it feel different from a regular hot dog. The cheese fries were exactly what I expected, messy in the best way, and the chocolate cake shake was probably more filling than I thought it would be.
This is the kind of place where you don't overthink the meal. You order something classic, sit down, and enjoy food that has been part of the city for a long time.
A local told us this was a must-visit while we were in Chicago, and they couldn’t have been more right. From the first bite, we understood why this place has such a great reputation.
The chili cheese dog was outstanding, the Italian sausage was full of flavor, but the real star of the meal was the Italian beef sandwich with sweet peppers. It was hands down one of the best sandwiches we’ve ever had.The food came out fresh, the portions were generous, and everything exceeded our expectations. If you’re visiting Chicago and want an authentic local experience, do yourself a favor and stop here. We’ll definitely be back on our next trip!
RS
Rares Andrei Sandru
6 days ago
We had a great experience at Portillo’s & Barnelli’s. The location itself is very interesting, and we really liked the whole concept and atmosphere of the place. It has a unique style that makes it feel like more than just a fast-casual restaurant.
We tried the Italian Beef Sandwich and the Portillo’s Beef Hot Dog. The food was good and definitely worth trying, even though it wasn’t the most memorable meal of our trip. The portion sizes were generous, and the prices felt fair for what you get.
Overall, it’s a fun place to experience one of Chicago’s iconic food spots, with a cool atmosphere, good food, and great value. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the city.
RJ
Ritik jaiswal
Jul 16, 2026
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, straight-shooting verdict on Portillo’s and its Barnelli’s counterpart, here it is: it’s not just a restaurant; it’s a Chicago rite of passage. If you haven't been, you aren't really doing the city right.
The Verdict: Portillo’s
Portillo’s started as a humble 12-foot trailer in 1963 called "The Dog House," and they haven’t lost that blue-collar grit. They’ve perfected the art of fast-casual without cutting corners.
The Italian Beef: This is the heavyweight champion. We’re talking slow-roasted beef, sliced thin, and dunked in a seasoned gravy that hits just right. Order it "dipped" with hot giardiniera. It’s messy, it’s bold, and it’s arguably the best sandwich in the state.
The Hot Dog: "Dragged through the garden"—poppy seed bun, all-beef frank, mustard, neon-green relish, onions, tomato, pickle, sport peppers, and celery salt. Don’t even think about asking for ketchup unless you want to get laughed out of the joint.
The Finish: You wrap it up with the chocolate cake shake. They literally blend a slice of chocolate cake into the milkshake. It’s indulgence, pure and simple.
The Bonus: Barnelli’s
When you’re at a location that features Barnelli’s, you’re getting the best of both worlds. While Portillo’s handles the iconic street food, Barnelli’s brings in the homestyle Italian side of things. They aren't taking shortcuts here either—sauces are simmering all day and the pasta is legit. It’s the kind of place where you can get a serious plate of pasta alongside those Chicago classics.
The Atmosphere
Whether it’s a 1930s Prohibition theme or a classic '50s diner setup, the vibe is high-energy. It’s fast, it’s loud, and the staff gets the food out with military precision. It’s not a place for a quiet, candlelit dinner—it’s a place to fuel up with quality, authentic grub.
Bottom line: If you’re hungry and you want the real deal, you go to Portillo’s. You get the beef, you get the dog, and you leave satisfied. It’s simple, it’s honest, and it delivers every single time.
Wow! The limited time only Char-diniera hot dogs are awesome! I got mine with only yellow mustard and a pickle spear. The char is how I like my hot dogs anyways. Also, the spice gives it a nice kick. Not too crazy hot, but just enough. I wish these would be on the menu regularly.
As for the other food at Portillo’s, you just can’t go wrong. I’ve had most of their menu items several times and everything is really good. Technically, most consider this fast food. Yeah. It is. However, compared to the state of the rest of the fast food industry, Portillo’s is above the rest (McDonalds, BK, Wendy’s, Arby’s, etc). Only Culver’s is in the same tier as Portillo’s.
I love the Downtown location for the atmosphere. It’s Saturday night in July, so they are really busy. However, it took forever to get the food. I’m talking 45 minutes waiting at the pick up counter after ordering (another 15 minutes). The self serve kiosks were down (I don’t know if they weren’t working or if they turned them off due to how busy it was). Most of the kitchen crew seemed to be barely getting by under the strain of being busy. Some team members were on their game and I could tell they were good workers and kept things moving. Others seemed lost or had no sense of urgency. That seems to be the norm these days. It’s a far cry from 20 years ago. One more thing…I wish restaurants would throttle back their online ordering during peak times. The in house customers are more important.
All in all, once I got my food and ate, my frustration at the service was gone and I was glad I came.
To all of the employees who have good work ethic and were giving it their all…thank you! I notice and appreciate it.