In town this week end~Quick good Italian beef, tacos, and burgers! (Chicago: restaurant, places to eat)

[thelizardking]

You want a decent sit down food place near Wrigley, go to Leona's on Sheffield.

[williepotatoes]

I just can't understand all the love here for Portillos. The chain is terribly inconsistent from store to store. Some things are pretty consistent though:

1) dry, dry, dry overcooked burgers
2) frozen cardboard fries just like most fastfood assembly lines.
3) almost $6 for a dog, fries and drink.

It's fast food mediocrity wrapped up in a Chicago-style package to make it seem unique and homey. The place is marketed to suburban boomers and geezers who have a place in their heart for the food they grew up on. Unfortunately they took some of our most beloved local cuisine and MacDonaldized it.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Ha well I sure wish I would have came up with their idea!
anyway I think their burgers are great and the italian beef is wonderful
and the fries
cheap too you can get a meal no drink for 11 bucks

go to wendys and you spend more money or even steak and shake and the quality of the food is night and day

I think we all know its a chain but to me its good and I know alot of people say its touristy etc. do i care ?? Nope
then again to be fair i love mcdonalds coke and fries so

I disagree with your comments and have had lots of bad italian beef in chicagoland and burgers that were disgusting
to me the decor is kind of neat -
i guess we all have diff tastes

[joemits]

Well everyone, thanks for the Info. I was able to hit both Portillos and Xoco. Wonderful. The Beef was fantastic with the hot peppers. Big hit, got it "Wet". Surprise they hold up so well and will be back there again when in town. XOCO is also a must for anyone who has not been there. Funny story. My wife's sister and their family were in town too, and plans for dinner with their little kids (5 & 3) were all set. The place would be the cheesecake factory Saturday night. Ahh, but XOCO will be closed on Sunday and time was running out. I could plead my case but then thought better as XOCO's I figured would not be the best choice for such little ones. So as they were heading to the cheesecake factory, I set my sights on Illinois and Clark with plans on meeting them for "dinner" later. A very understanding bunch, my family and theirs!
The trot was quick and determined but once getting there I saw the line going out the door and down the sidewalk. @#$%&! But then I noticed someone walking out with a bag and realized I could skirt this line as I was only there for take out. Got my Cubana (wonderful)and ate it on the walk back to the cheesecake factory where I learned they had "taxi issues". My timing was perfect as they were in line for about 25 mins and were just getting seated as I walked in. Quartino next time.
P.S. Cubs game= Best seats I ever had for the worst game I ever saw! Pirates 10 Cubs 0.....
Thanks to everyone, but the Cubs!

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Nice!


did you expect anything else from the cubs!@

[knitgirl]

Thanks for the report on your trip!

[Vlajos]

Glad you like both Portillo's and XOCO!

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by williepotatoes

I just can't understand all the love here for Portillos. The chain is terribly inconsistent from store to store. Some things are pretty consistent though:

1) dry, dry, dry overcooked burgers
2) frozen cardboard fries just like most fastfood assembly lines.
3) almost $6 for a dog, fries and drink.

It's fast food mediocrity wrapped up in a Chicago-style package to make it seem unique and homey. The place is marketed to suburban boomers and geezers who have a place in their heart for the food they grew up on. Unfortunately they took some of our most beloved local cuisine and MacDonaldized it.

Has the quality gone downhill recently? I'll admit that I haven't had Portillos in at least 4 or 5 years, but from what I remember, it wasn't like what you described. Actually, I remember their burgers being pretty good - as were their fries. Sadly, the price has gone up quite a bit. Their hot dogs are well over a buck now, right?

[Gunner0325]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

Has the quality gone downhill recently? I'll admit that I have had Portillos in at least 4 or 5 years, but from what I remember, it wasn't like what you described. Actually, I remember their burgers being pretty good - as were their fries. Sadly, the price has gone up quite a bit. Their hot dogs are well over a buck now, right?

Portillo's burgers are still awesome and so are their fries...not sure what he is talking about!

[williepotatoes]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

Has the quality gone downhill recently? I'll admit that I haven't had Portillos in at least 4 or 5 years, but from what I remember, it wasn't like what you described. Actually, I remember their burgers being pretty good - as were their fries. Sadly, the price has gone up quite a bit. Their hot dogs are well over a buck now, right?

Yeah, they are still capable of turning out some tasty sammiches, but the inconsistency is aggravating. Out here in the burbs, I am never more than a few minutes away from one, but I seldom stop in anymore. After twenty+ years, I am over them. My biggest beef is constantly being served cold fries. Their fries are disappointing enuf, being frozen and cooked in veg oil just like BK, MacD's etc. etc.

I can find better versions of almost everything on their menu at different grills, stands and mom and pop style shops.

Overrated, overpriced and often overcooked IMO.