Portillo's Hot Dogs review

Intended audience : K college students.

       Are you tired of the K College "bubble"? Take a train or drive to Chicago area and stop at Portillo's Hot Dogs during your weekend gateway.

       Started in 1963, by native Chicagoan Dick Portillo, the original restaurant as expended through several locations in the Chicago area. More recently, Portillo’s Hot Dogs has opened new locations outside Chicago; Portillo’s Hot Dogs is now a chain restaurant that can be found in states such as Indiana and California. Though the expansion into other areas has made Portillo’s a little less unique, it speaks to the success and popularity of Portillo’s.

Portillo's indeed offers a wider variety of food than most fast food places, and the quality is known to be better than places like McDonald's or Burger King. The food, however, is still just as affordable as the fast food places one is familiar with. According to their official website, Portillo's has won so many Silver Platter Awards that the company has retired from competition for 5 years in order to give the competing food places a chance for the award. Portillo's is an effective choice if you're in quest of breaking the monotony. Upon entering the restaurant, one will feel transported into another decade. At the Elmhurst location, the restaurant has a 50's theme. Items from the past such as a authentic giant coca-cola bottle or original advertisements, an American flag, a life size bicycle, and 50's posters from the time are hanging on the walls or the ceiling. Additionally, clothes from the class of 1957 are framed on the walls, strengthening Portillo’s old-school atmosphere. Even a super-sized record 45 tours has pride of place on the restaurant ceiling above the dining tables. The subdued lighting with the neon spots reinforce the atmosphere and the whole mood evoked. The music from the era and above ( some 60's or 70's musics were played during the night) will make your parents remember memories and you'll probably wish you could have experienced them as well. Colorful, lively, casual, warm, friendly and clean are all descriptive adjectives of the atmosphere of Portillo’s. The place is typically packed with families with their children, couples on dates, teenagers, and even older generations who are trying to recapture the past. Sometimes, because the place is so busy, it does tend to get a little loud. All ages can enjoy Portillo's!

      Are you hungry? Go to a counter to order your meal. However, this may take you a little while, especially if you’re known to be undecided. The amounts of choices for meals seem endless. Hot-dogs ($2.39 and up), burgers ($3.59 and up), or chicken, beef, or sausage sandwiches(up to $6.54) are among the options. They even serve $4.99 meatless grilled tuna, halibut filet or grilled vegetable sandwiches. Additionally, five side orders are offered. It ranges from a $1.59 small French-fries to the $3.99 for chicken tenders. If you are more of a salad or soup person, don't worry; Portillo's has got it covered. There are a dozen varieties of salads from $4.50 and up and different options for soups that are $2.99. After one makes up their mind about the food, then there is beverage. Soft drinks are available with prices starting at $1.57. Shakes or smoothies are available as well for less than $3. For those over 21, Portillo's carries beers and wine, which is atypical for fast food places. After you’ve made up your mind, don’t forget that you have another option, which is unlike other fast food places. If you order a burger, you can tell the person taking your order how tender or cooked you want the meat to be. That man or woman then yells through a microphone your order to the cooks, but not without adding a few jokes at the end. The staff is friendly and will answer your questions. Once you’ve decided and ordered your food and beverage, you are handed your receipt where you then walk to the register on the other side of the counter where you pay for your meal. Then you stand still and wait for your meal for a short period of time. Portillo’s is known for their quick service, so your order usually arrives in about five minutes. Since there is no waitress to assist you, pick whatever table you like, open your box of food, start eating, and enjoy your meal.

The $1.85 large French fries are a little too salty, just like as the Kalamazoo cafeteria, but nevertheless eatable since they are still hot. The $ 5.55 double burger is undoubtedly better and bigger than any hamburger that the cafeteria serves although it may be too spicy for some people. Cooked according to the client's wish, the beef meat is average but the taste is quite good overall. The $4.75 classic ceasar salad is well prepared, but would only feed the appetite of someone with a small stomach. In case you still have room for dessert, the $2.40 Portillo's Chocolate cake is perfect for the chocoholic, although you may want to split it. Its size is average but the chocolate is dense. You may be full after three bites.

       If you’re not really hungry, there are still options for you! Try the regular $2.39 hot-dog with mustard, relish, freshly chopped onions, sliced red pipe tomatoes, kosher pickle and sport peppers. It is better than the ones you can find in Times Square in NYC. One hot-dog is enough, you must save room for the wonderful small $2.65 chocolate cake shake listed on the drinks menu. Its consistence is quite thick but each spoon full is a delight. Don't bother with the large one, you probably won't be able to finish it. Be acknowledge that you'll find yourself craving it in K.

     Portillo's is a nice place for students who are looking for something different while keeping their expenses low and it is definitely better than any thing you will be served in the cafeteria. You might want to stop by to the drive-through before heading back to K.

ADDRESS Elmhurst IL 60126 , 155 S.Rte 83, (630)-530-8451

PRICE RANGE Under $10

HOURS Sun - Thurs: 10:30am – 10:30pm , Fri - Sat: 10:30am - 11:00pm

CREDIT CARDS All major credit cards accepted.