Portillo's Tampa — Restaurant in Florida

Update Jan 2025: Several good, recent experiences. Friendly & efficient staff. Orders correct. They now have a grab and go section with need, cake, salad dressing, bread, etc. It is a nice addition.

Update Dec 2024: Excellent Service. Order with no errors. Friendly staff.

Updated Aug 2024: getting my hot dog made as I ordered is so hit or miss it is riculous. No pickle add ketchup means I do not want the pickle and ketchup should be added along with all the other toppings. About 1 out of 5 times this is not what I get. Today my hot dog had a pickle and ketchup and nothing else. It was going to be for a late dinner. I only discovered this when I went to reheat it hours later. I got complacent and did not double check at the drive through.

Update April 2024: Service was solid at my last few visits. They now have a self serve station to fill and refill soda and iced tea. Nice addition as this was the only place I know of in our area that did not offer refills,

Update Nov 2019: Good news: peppermint shakes are back. Bad news: big glob of stuck together peppermint candy at the bottom of my shake. Hopefully they will get the hang of it for the holiday season.

Update Fall 2020: They have their routine down better than before - in terms of taking orders, taking payment, etc. They do well following COVID precautions as far as I can tell.

Update Summer 2021: About 1 in 4 times my hot dog order is incorrect. It is unclear to me how my order clearly says no pickle add ketchup and I get pickle, no tomato no ketchup. Also, do not say you are ready to take my order if you are not ready to take my order. I clearly state my order and it is not uncommon for the person to not get the most basic components of the order and I have to repeat half of it. Also, proportions are way off sometimes on hot dogs. More is not better, such as with onions and relish. The proportions of all the ingredients is essential to a Chicago style hot dog. This is...

Stopped in for lunch before heading to airport. Didn’t realize that Chicago’s very own Portillo’s had made its way to Tampa, but sure enough it now planted roots in another Florida hotspot (there are two in Orlando). Ok, on to the review. Being a native of the City of Wind, I look for the food that reminds me of home every time I visit a city that has a Portillo’s. I actually believe everything on the menu, that I’ve had, is good! From the Hot dogs, to the Maxwell Street Polish, to the Chili Cheese Dogs (my go to!!), to the Cheesy Italian Beef on Croissant (decadent and delightful!!!!) to the spicy chicken sandwich (ask for the brioche bun - you’ll thank me later) to my new favs, the salads!!! All are good but it’s something about that chopped salad tho!!!!!! This day, I had a cheesy Italian beef on croissant and added Italian sausage (order as the “combo” as that is how it’s loaded into the computer - saves time from then having to call a manager over as in non Chicago locations, folks don’t order that apparently - I always do). I added grilled onion, mayo and sweet peppers on the side. I also got fries and cheese dipping sauce and a large Diet Coke of course. I also ended lunch with a slice of their famous (and sinfully delicious) Chocolate cake - the most consistently moist cake I’ve ever had across the chain. They really do a great job with it! You’ve got to try it at least once, trust me!! All in all, great place, great service and of course great food!! When I’m back in Tampa, Portillo’s is...

I have lived in Chicago for several years prior to moving to Tampa. My husband is your typical suburban Chicago guy who enjoys his beef sandwich. So yes, we indulged like fat people eating Al's, Portillo's and (insert famous Chicago beef sandwich places here) when we feel like we earned it, which is usually after we walked 5km with the dog.

So when I aced my US citizenship interview in Tampa, what did we do? Celebrate at Portillo's like fat Americans that we are (ha, I am now an American!), ordered grand chocolate cake milk shakes that are around 1500 calories per drink, onion rings, fries, and beef sandwiches. It's just the price of freedom.

Everything in this Portillo's is the same as with Chicago, even the onion rings and the yummy shake. But, I have to say, the beef sandwiches are too dry. In Chicago, no matter which branch you go to, if you order a dry beef sandwich, it will still be soggy enough to wet the bread. You bite into it and the sauce will explode in your mouth and melt with the beef. However, in Tampa's Portillo's, the beef sandwich is so dry, you taste the iron in the beef. It's sad.

I certainly felt less American as there's less oil, less fat, and less calories enveloping my mouth in this particular Portillo's. I hope they improve it to Chicago's standard because I am willing to gain 30 pounds to get to eat those great...