Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

You enter the location and line out to order at the counter. You get a number that gets called with your order as you wait at your table. The Chicago dog was standard. My recently vegetarian friend thought the plant based option was on par. The Italian beef had some things going for it like the structure of the bread held the sandwich together which is a plus for me. The peppers packed good heat. The flavors and ratios felt standard. Seating wise, there is plenty and great for larger groups.

If you have NEVER been to Chicago, I highly recommend visiting this place. Before you go inside, take in the view of the place from the outside. I would then make sure you look at the menu ahead of time.

Once you enter do not look around...follow the path and get in line. The greeter wants you to get out the way and in the line. Then make sure someone else in the group grabs a table. If you visit at the wrong time, I can see this place being jam packed and no place to sit. Once you get up to order be ready because they are in a rush as well. The place reminded me of NYC...move move move or they will move you out the way.

I waited awhile for my food...guess the veggie dog takes longer to get ready. I wished I had tried other things on the menu but it was my 1st meal in Chicago and I was alone and had no clue what will be next.

Once you order and grab your spot, then take in the views and decor. The place had everything and anything you can think of...it was like a mini Vegas spot.

This is a must place to try and have at least one dog the Chicago way. It's a quick bite to eat and you will leave happy.

Superb place for a Chicago Dog! I was surprised after the first bite. Maybe it was the flavors of the toppings on the dog, but it was delicious..Didn't expect the hotdog to be so good! The fries were good and crispy as well. Had those with a side of the cheese. Great experience!

The basic hot dog was an amazing experience, and I am so glad we had the chance to stop in. Loved almost every bite but the giardiniera peppers are ... something. Washed it down with a generous Blue Moon, purchased separately from the dog. Staff seemed a bit weary but the restaurant business is hard-core, right?
Very glad we were able to stop in, it's a good central spot if you are staying Downtown. This location is also right across the street from the Hard Rock Cafe Big Bus tour stop.

Had a fantastic time at Portillo’s in Chicago! The Chicago-style hot dogs were a standout—loved that the pickles were served on the side, letting the grilled veggies’ flavors shine. Not too greasy or heavy, just perfect. The fries with cheese dip were also a hit; the cheese was so good that we dipped our hot dogs in it. The customer-friendly interior allowed us to take out our orders or enjoy our meal inside the restaurant. A delightful experience with delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere!

Oh my! Well we flew in and came straight to Portillo’s for some Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef. The place is iconic, so there’s that. The service is always so fun and the food…the food! So good. Hot dogs with a snap and Italian beef that melts in your mouth. Almost always busy, but the line moves right along.

First time in Chicago. Of course I had to have a Chicago Style Hot Dog. Do I really want to go to a chain restaurant to get it? Yep, it was great. I also tried the chili which was really good as well.

And if reasonably priced adult beverages in a cold glass chalice is your thing, then there is an added perk.

So yep, you can put this place on your list of places to try.

September 2023

We came here just to grab a snack (10 am), we were not disappointed with the Chicago hot dog (I recommend to order grilled onions), it was so great!
Then we tried the chocolate cake milkshake, it was good but a bit too sweet for my taste.
The decoration is awesome!
I can’t wait coming back to taste the pastrami sandwich and all the other stuff!

Great option if you want to taste Chicago-style hot dogs.

I don’t love the relish, however it’s a must-try. There is a wide menu where you can choose from their classic hot dogs (including vegan options) and pizza, to salads and desserts.

You can grab a beer and have a great time with friends.

You can tell it’s a great spot since you see many locals (including Police Officers) and not many tourists

I love Chicago style hot dogs... It's the way to go and the flavor that is packed is beyond amazing. Had their Italian beef and it was pretty solid as well. Cake shake was very yummy

Wow! We are from out of town & were looking for some "Chicago hot dogs" and Portillo's was AMAZING! Highly recommend the hot dogs but the spaghetti & chicken sandwich were very good too. Don't forget the chocolate shake! 😋

This is my first time for Portillo’s Barnelli’s Chicago.
The restaurant was very spacious to sit.
I ordered regular size hot dogs, fried onion rings, and Diet Coke.
The hotdog was with very spongy bread, juicy meat, not sour pickle and cucumber.
With the pickle, the hotdog is more savory.
Fried onion rings are extra crispy and sweet. Very nice.
Service is great as well. I would like to revisit here.
-Flavor : 95 out of 100
-Service : 85 out of 100
-Price : 100 out of 100 (Very reasonable)

I tried to of their Chicago dogs and I was not disappointed. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and a large select of Chicago staples in food. I’d definitely recommend that you try this place out!

Coming from Oz we had to experience the famous pizza pie. The place is downstairs and very cosy especially in Chicago mid-winter. The Chicago style pizza pie is absolutely delicious. It is made fresh so expect a 30 minute wait. We ordered some crusty garlic bread to see us through. Would come back here in a heartbeat!

I love this place. Great food, very interesting design, fast service. Its my first place to go for quick supper. Italian beef is very well cooked. They have 3 options: dry, extra juice (my favorite) and soaked. For every taste. Cheese sauce is awesome. Caesar salad is big and fresh with hard boiled egg for protein. My husband loves their chocolate cake milk shake. It's a whole dessert in a cup. Absolutely informal, historical, interesting restaurant. Highly recommend

One of the more interesting resturants I've stopped in while in Chicago. Relatively unassuming in size from the outside we stopped in simply because they had pasta and a nice patio. The interior so interesting- much larger that the facade leads you to believe and it's gives the appearance of an old street corner, car and all. It was easy to order and the staff were very helpful, even helping us buy one of the bottled drinks reserved for delivery orders when we forgot to get drinks and wanted something we could reseal for on the go. It was much appreciated. The food was good and they were generous portions so we had plenty of leftovers. I would love to visit again next time I'm in Chicago!

The best Chicago hot dog! The place is huge inside, plenty of seating inside (lower and upper levels) the best part is how organized it is, so many people working behind the counter and everything was very organized! The place is very well decorated with plenty of things to look at it!

The menu has plenty of options and everything is very well explained, the service is very fast, the hot dog and Italian sausage sandwiches are absolutely amazing! They also have drive through!

I eat here every time I come to Chicago. I just loved the Chicago Dog and their onion rings. The seating area has great memorabilia to look at while you enjoy some great food. Lots of options from hotdogs, hamburgers, Italian Beef, and shakes. Highly recommend Portillo's.

What an fun place! No wonder it’s a landmark. It's spacious and exudes the old-world Chicago charm.
I ordered a classic hot dog and a beef sandwich, and they lived up to my expectations. As a fan of lots of mustard, relish, and kraut on my dog, I was pleased with the toppings.
The only minor drawback was that the hot dog could have been a bit hotter; it felt lukewarm. However, this is a small detail in an otherwise fantastic dining experience.

The quintessential Chicago dog experience. We went hog wild from a day of walking. Ordered a jumbo hotdog, a Maxwell Street Polish, a big Italian beef with extra gravy, a breaded whitefish sandwich, and a large spaghetti from Barnelli's. Every item was hot and fresh. Even though it was crowded, the food was well worth it. The Maxwell Street Polish was my personal favorite, and the Italian beef was bursting with meat.