Portillo's Springfield

Our entire road trip was planned around a stop at Portillo's. I've heard good things from so many people. I decided I had to check it out for myself.
They have the roadside diner theme down to an art. The place is full of Route 66 memorabilia. There are booths and tables for almost any size party. In true fast food style, they offer counter service. You order at the counter, choose your seat, and they call your number.
There are options for just about everyone. Burgers, Italian beef, chicken, fish, salads, hot dogs, and polish sausage. We went with the beef dip sandwich with extra gravy. The beef was a little on the dry side for my taste. The burgers were juicy and flavorful. The crinkle cut fries were perfectly crisp and tender. The best part hands down were the milkshakes. We went with traditional chocolate and strawberry. We had to try the strawberry lemon cake. This shake is as delicious as it sounds. If your travels take you out this way, definitely give them a try!

I will say the restaurant is very big and loud. As soon as you walk in, there's typically two lines and you just pick which line to go in.

This app was very friendly and took our order promptly. Then they yell it into the microphone and that's how your order is made.

They have a grab and go section for cakes you can get a large one or even a slice.

We had the Chicago style hotdog, which is great and a cheeseburger as well. Both were very delicious. I don't feel like the hotdog was very big and I really don't feel like there was anything that special about it. My Husband very much enjoyed the cheeseburger.

Stopped in the Springfield IL location. Girl on register taking our order really was clueless. I ordered 5 dipped big beefs with sweet and hot and asked her to wrap 3 of those to go....well I had to tell her 4 times before she got the order. Then at pick up...all 5 were bagged to go. :( Hassel unwrapping 2 to eat in store and separating from other 3. The food was good just need better employees taking the orders with listening skills

Springfield location of the iconic Chicago staple, which we had to try as we passed through. Nice restaurant with vintage signs and accents, reminiscent of a 50's diner. Awesome menu with some new items including bowls, which are essentially bowls of meat, perfect for keto!! Italian Roast Beef with sweet peppers was spot on, Portillo's style, which is drenched in au jus. Chicago dogs were perfect..and we tried the salted Carmel shake...soooo good. For 7 of us the bill ran just at C note, but we ate like kings. A roast beef with peppers runs about $9 (peppers are an essential add), so add in a drink and fries/rings and this is a much better value than your typical fast food. They do offer burgers, which we have never had, plus Italian sausage, and a variety of salads too.
We love Portillo's and we're definitely glad this extension of the franchise did not disappoint!!

If there is an issue..it's identifying food within orders. We had 4 different beef sandwiches and had to open each and pass them around to get the correct one...maybe an identifying sticker would be nice??

Also, from the reviews they may have drive through issues...we are inside, so we can't comment on that, but insides was great!

I am so glad I don't have to drive to Chicago to enjoy Portillo's.
The service was excellent, and staff was constantly cleaning the dining room.
The food was prepared as ordered and delicious.

Looking forward to my next visit to try one of my other favorites.

I noticed that all the negative reviews has to do with the drive-thru part(?)

I haven't been to the drive-thru, but I came to this location, twice, on our way to Chicago-- food and experience were okay (dining in)! We usually go on Sundays around lunch time and there never was a line and the wait for our food was brief.

Love their roast beef. Hotdogs and other items were okay!
I just couldn't give them the last 2 stars because the fish sandwich, my mom ordered, was undercooked and cold. I feel that's a significant "no no".

Other than that, it's alright-- just avoid drive-thru's!
Convenient parking!

If you want an iced cold Chicago style hot dog, this is the place for you. But don't worry, the shake will be melted, so it evens out.

The waiting system at lunch time is a mess and there's no rhyme or reason to who gets their food order first.

Better options abound in Springfield.

Visiting Springfield, Illinois and stopped in for lunch ! Great sandwich! The fries could have been fried a couple more minutes and would have been perfect! Overall, great food and great atmosphere!

Growing up outside of Chicago, I am a huge Portillo's fan. I am so excited that they're expanding their locations around the US so that maybe they'll eventually come further south to where I currently am.

However, I was traveling for the holidays and stopped at this location. The first time I stopped here was over the summer, and the second time was near Thanksgiving. Over the summer, I went through the drive thru. It was expedient, and my extensive order was correct.

For Thanksgiving, we took the family and ate inside. This took way longer (even though there were barely any other guests), and the order came out just meh. The other main issue that I have with this location is that the menu is so limited compared to up north, that I felt like I only had a third of the selection.

Overall, it's a pretty solid experience, and they're trying to find their footing. However, I wish there was more there, both in the inside service as well as in the menu.

If you love Chicago Italian Beef, Sausage or Hot Dogs, this is a MUST stop fast dining experience! Believe newly opened, we diverted ~5 miles off I-55 (& 72) to this Springfield location for a mouth-watering Big Beef sandwich with Hot Peppers, Chicago Combo (Beef & Sausage) bowl, Portillo's Chili and Onion Rings. So YUMMY and tasty! Love the diner ambience, friendly service, fast dine-in order and/or pick-up. Plus a nice patio to enjoy the meal! A solid 4.5 rated fast food meal for me! Cost is ~$10pp for food and drink.

If you go, highly recommend staying with their #1 Italian Beef or the Combo sandwich - that's their specialty, not Chicken. The soft hoagie roll soaks up the au jus juices and melts in your mouth with plenty of tender meat. And the Hot Giardiniera peppers will clear your sinuses, but so good with Beef, Sausage or Hot Dog.

And don't miss adding a side of Fries or O-Rings, and a freshly made shake or malt. The Chili was good too, but opt for Beef sandwich first. You won't go hungry or be short of calories after this meal!

Portillo's is a GO-TO for me anytime I'm in the Chicago area. Hope you ENJOY!!!