Everytime I come to Chicago, its a must stop for me. Food is great and the pr8ves are reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ana Luisa
Small portions and to expensive!
In and Out is the best….and it’s not expensive like Portillo!
Zarko Ijacic
the portions of meat on the large beef are a joke. the bread has changed for the worse, much worse. lifelong customer has had it. you suck.
Paul Gizel
Before Portillo’s was acquired and Dick Portillo sold the business, it truly was one of the best places around. The Barnelli’s side was legendary as the chicken was perfectly marinated and juicy, the Alfredo sauce was creamy and rich, the noodles were bright yellow and full of flavor, the sandwiches and salads were fresh and plentiful.
Fast forward to now, and the difference is hard to ignore. Yesterday, I visited the Crystal Lake, Illinois location around 6:30 PM and I was disappointed. The chicken was dry and flavorless, the noodles were pale and “dirty” looking, and the Alfredo sauce was thin and watery. Everything felt cheapened even the plates and bowls, which used to be real dishware, are now plastic and small.
What made Portillo’s special was its recipes and its quality. Why take something that worked so well and turn it into the opposite? I understand that it’s a business and money matters, but the magic is gone. On a Friday or Saturday night years ago, the Barnelli’s side would be packed with people. Yesterday? Practically empty..just me.
I know the beef, hot dogs, tamales, and fries have stayed mostly the same, but so much else has changed. Please, bring back what worked. Let people in Florida or Arizona taste the real Portillo’s that made the name famous.
Don’t do what Ray Kroc did…
Stephanie Thoma
The Ontario Ave in Chicago was fabulous. My husband and I both enjoyed our Chicago dogs
Kamilah S. Autmon
I placed my online order as I was leaving work tonight. A regular Italian beef, regular cheese fries and onion rings. When I got home and opened my taped bag, I was missing my onion rings.
Sherry Owens
We come to this Portillo’s very couple months and drive over a hour just to eat here after loving it when we moved up to the chicago area and were so excited to see one come to Springfield IL after we moved back home. it’s always such a great experience for the kids but today we were very disappointed the food was not very good at all and the place was so dirty, nothing was filled, straws or ketchup and every table in the place was dirty, there were a lot of workers but no one cleaning up. I had to ask a worker for something to clean one of the tables with just so we had a clean table to eat at. what looked to be a manager was at a table on the phone.
Ray Childers
you send me coupons but they are useless when i try to use your web site says i can not use. you just lost a customer
Sridhar Rangaswamy
Outstanding experience on May 19th 2025 ..from GM: Jesus Saurez, Mgr on Duty : Barry , Ema employee, another outstanding manager who came all the way to give it to my car, as I had so many things in the hand to carry..I cannot thank enough of him..he is Alex or pretty common name.. I have his picture, but i totally forgot, as i have become really old now..Oldest Asian Indian thickest accent man.
Really Appreciated.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Respectfully Submitted,
Sridhar Rangaswamy ("Sri")
US Trademark: #5030763
US Trademark #SN 98620494:
"Promise Less/Under Promise and Deliver More"
"Excellence is not an act, it is a Habit"
"Honesty is the Best Policy"Be Truthful,Honest and Fair"
Mike Bender
Managers are rude and seem incompetent, and hot dogs came out green enough times i dont want to eat here anymore, cant look past the bad just because it has "some" good to it
save your money. got a chili cheese dog, it had a smear of chili and maybe a quarter to half a slice of cheese that comea wrapped in plastic (how do i know this? because the plastic was in my food) then it was placed in a paper liner and wrapped in paper and put it in a bag, so what little amount of chili was on the hot dog was now all over the paper. will not be returning.
Jill Frans
2 hrs late on a 500 dollar cater
Pam Reis-Robinson
Give those kids a HOT meal. How disappointing for them.
Duriel Hampton
The burger was completely burned and the fries were days old and stale.
Food: 1
Erica Sally
The onion rings are delicious and stays crunchy until I get home! That by itself is a win for me. I also like the chicago style hotdogs and the cheese sauce
Everytime I come to Chicago, its a must stop for me. Food is great and the pr8ves are reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Small portions and to expensive! In and Out is the best….and it’s not expensive like Portillo!
the portions of meat on the large beef are a joke. the bread has changed for the worse, much worse. lifelong customer has had it. you suck.
Before Portillo’s was acquired and Dick Portillo sold the business, it truly was one of the best places around. The Barnelli’s side was legendary as the chicken was perfectly marinated and juicy, the Alfredo sauce was creamy and rich, the noodles were bright yellow and full of flavor, the sandwiches and salads were fresh and plentiful. Fast forward to now, and the difference is hard to ignore. Yesterday, I visited the Crystal Lake, Illinois location around 6:30 PM and I was disappointed. The chicken was dry and flavorless, the noodles were pale and “dirty” looking, and the Alfredo sauce was thin and watery. Everything felt cheapened even the plates and bowls, which used to be real dishware, are now plastic and small. What made Portillo’s special was its recipes and its quality. Why take something that worked so well and turn it into the opposite? I understand that it’s a business and money matters, but the magic is gone. On a Friday or Saturday night years ago, the Barnelli’s side would be packed with people. Yesterday? Practically empty..just me. I know the beef, hot dogs, tamales, and fries have stayed mostly the same, but so much else has changed. Please, bring back what worked. Let people in Florida or Arizona taste the real Portillo’s that made the name famous. Don’t do what Ray Kroc did…
The Ontario Ave in Chicago was fabulous. My husband and I both enjoyed our Chicago dogs
I placed my online order as I was leaving work tonight. A regular Italian beef, regular cheese fries and onion rings. When I got home and opened my taped bag, I was missing my onion rings.
We come to this Portillo’s very couple months and drive over a hour just to eat here after loving it when we moved up to the chicago area and were so excited to see one come to Springfield IL after we moved back home. it’s always such a great experience for the kids but today we were very disappointed the food was not very good at all and the place was so dirty, nothing was filled, straws or ketchup and every table in the place was dirty, there were a lot of workers but no one cleaning up. I had to ask a worker for something to clean one of the tables with just so we had a clean table to eat at. what looked to be a manager was at a table on the phone.
you send me coupons but they are useless when i try to use your web site says i can not use. you just lost a customer
Outstanding experience on May 19th 2025 ..from GM: Jesus Saurez, Mgr on Duty : Barry , Ema employee, another outstanding manager who came all the way to give it to my car, as I had so many things in the hand to carry..I cannot thank enough of him..he is Alex or pretty common name.. I have his picture, but i totally forgot, as i have become really old now..Oldest Asian Indian thickest accent man. Really Appreciated. Thanks & Best Regards, Respectfully Submitted, Sridhar Rangaswamy ("Sri") US Trademark: #5030763 US Trademark #SN 98620494: "Promise Less/Under Promise and Deliver More" "Excellence is not an act, it is a Habit" "Honesty is the Best Policy"Be Truthful,Honest and Fair"
Managers are rude and seem incompetent, and hot dogs came out green enough times i dont want to eat here anymore, cant look past the bad just because it has "some" good to it
Restaurantji Recommends
save your money. got a chili cheese dog, it had a smear of chili and maybe a quarter to half a slice of cheese that comea wrapped in plastic (how do i know this? because the plastic was in my food) then it was placed in a paper liner and wrapped in paper and put it in a bag, so what little amount of chili was on the hot dog was now all over the paper. will not be returning.
2 hrs late on a 500 dollar cater
Give those kids a HOT meal. How disappointing for them.
The burger was completely burned and the fries were days old and stale.
Food: 1
The onion rings are delicious and stays crunchy until I get home! That by itself is a win for me. I also like the chicago style hotdogs and the cheese sauce
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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