5 Best Fast Food Restaurants in Shorewood

“I don't think I like Facebook's way of posting reviews. [Edit: no one else likes it, either. I'm the only reviewer in 2025, and it's almost 2026. They should also pay closer attention to the "not recommend" reviewers.] The review below this paragraph is just over 1,000 words, as if it appeared in a newspaper. I might just make any reviews of other restaurants and venues as regular posts. If you like Chicago-style fast food, eat here. Expect $15 per person unless you just order one hotdog and a glass of water. Portillo's is a chain with 94 restaurants and "drive-through-only" locations spread throughout ten states. Their greatest concentration is in the Chicagoland area. Founded by Dick Portillo in 1963 as a hot-dog trailer parked in Villa Park Illinois, the restaurant grew steadily over the years. It’s now a publicly traded company, and Dick Portillo no longer plays an active role in day-to-day operations. All Portillo's locations are company owned, with no franchisees. Portillo's sells Chicago-style fast food. They serve Italian Beef, which I’m reviewing here. They also serve Chicago-style all beef hotdogs, Italian and Maxwell Street Polish sausage sandwiches, barbecued pork ribs, grilled and deep-fried fish and chicken sandwiches, pepper-and-egg sandwiches during Lent, chili, and even char-grilled hamburgers. They also sell Chicago-style tamales, but only in the Chicagoland area or "ship to home." The location reviewed here is at 1155 Brook Forest Ave., Shorewood IL. Their hours are 10 AM to 11:30 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 10 AM to Midnight Friday and Saturday. I visited the location in mid-evening on a Tuesday. The dining room was still roughly half occupied, and the double-column line for the drive through was still overflowing into the main parking lot. I've yet to see a Portillo's location not busy, but they might not be as popular outside of the Midwest. I ordered the "regular" Italian Beef wet with extra gravy on the side, sweet pepper garnish, small fries, and a fountain drink. Portillo's sells Coca-Cola products for fountain drinks. They are also famous for their milkshakes; particularly their "Chocolate Cake Shake." While it's incredibly good, it's exactly what it sounds like. Some, but not all Portillo's locations are licensed to sell beer and wine. The selection and availability vary by location. Italian Beef. The French Bread, like all bread products used by Portillo's was a Turano product. It was fresh, with just the right amount of toasting pre-service. The beef was perfectly sliced, very finely grained, and did not seem to have sat for an excessive period of time awaiting service. Portillo's gets their beef from Vienna Beef. However, they get it raw, and do their own seasoning, slow-roasting and slicing in their central commissary before repackaging and sending it to their restaurants. The French Bread Roll was properly filled with roast beef, not overflowing, but still quite full. The regular beef is more than enough for many diners. If you want more, the "Big Beef" sandwich is 50% larger. Both the regular and Big Beef sandwiches are also available as "combo" sandwiches with an appropriate length char-grilled Italian Sausage. The spice blend was properly Italianate, and at just the right strength to compliment the sandwich. When you eat this sandwich, you are eating Italian Beef, not "grandma's spice rack," or "store-brand-watery-Arby's." Gravy. Portillo's makes their own gravy while slow-roasting their beef. The gravy was a rich dark brown. Both the "au-jus" and the spices were in perfect balance, strength, and concentration. It was served properly hot. The flavor was perfect, with no hint of being scorched, burned, or overheated. The sauteed sweet peppers were cut "country style," which suited them well. The peppers were well sauteed, yet had enough slight to moderate firmness“

“Ordered an off-menu item, a grilled cheese, and was very pleased with how it turned out for not be an item they serve every day.“

“It's clean. Super friendly staff. The ambiance is well thought out and appealing (mostly local vibes). Food is fried chicken fingers, fries, texas toast, etc. Very tasty. The sauce is a mild peppery flavor, not spicy and not overwhelming. Nice spot to sit amd eat.“

“I called and placed a delivery order tonight, which got delivered through Doordash, I ordered a pizza, garlic cheesy bread, and wings. Upon meeting the driver he only gave me wings and the bread. I asked where the pizza was and he acted confused, he had a double delivery so it's possible he gave my pizza to the other person or took it himself. I called the restaurant and they were immediately ready to help sort out the issue and the General Manager herself redelivered my whole order on her way home after the restaurant closed which was greatly appreciated.“

“Nice kids work there! Great menu!“