Portillo's Fort Worth — Restaurant in Fort Worth

OK, we went to Portillo's after a resounding recommendation we heard from an employee at a nearby business. It was touted as "awesome". In fact, we went immediately.

This building is brand new, stand-alone, surrounded by nothing, and is absolutely massive. When you look at it, it's hard to believe it's only one restaurant. Even after visiting I still don't understand it. Even the drive through is multi-lane, personally manned with employees outside, and even the sidewalks around it are wide enough to drive on. I'm quite baffled.

Here's why: Inside it is very open and obviously can seat many people, not to mention the sizeable patio. The entrance has multiple doors and even a very large revolving door. (Why?) The order window is directly ahead when you enter and the kitchen is open glass across the entirety of the back of the building.

We ordered Chicago and beef hot dogs and cheese fries.

The order pick-up window has a large flat panel with in-progress and completed orders and they are announced on a PA. This is either cute or cheesy or silly, depending on how you feel about it, but they rhyme the order numbers, e.g. "number 8 don't be late'. I'm not sure how long I could listen to that but at least they are trying to do something a little different.

We got our sodas and found a little booth. Nothing is set on the table but an info tent. No salt, no pepper. Ketchup and mustard are on the service station by the pick-up window and are standard pump and ramekin-style.

The cheese fries came out first and very quickly. I searched for salt and pepper while getting ketchup and couldn't find any. They don't keep it out there. I had to go the pick-up window and ask for some. They handed me a few old school sugar packet-style portions. Very odd indeed. Also, this wasn't just a one time thing because I actually stopped back by on another day to take pictures to add to my review and the result was the the same.

The cheese 'sauce' was shocking. I have never had a restaurant serve something like that. The closest description I can give is that they took Kraft American cheese, unwrapped the slices, and nuked it. Processed cheese is not for me (and is not up there health-wise either). We stopped eating it. Absolute waste of money.

The Chicago dog and beef hot dogs were OK. Nothing really stood out. Given that the recommendations we received were all about the dogs, I didn't get it. I do realize they have a number of other menu options and must have a following based on those items, but I guess I will have to try something else if I ever have a reason to return.

BTW, I was tempted to get the chili cheese dog, and man am I glad I didn't do that!

I saw they have a Member program and quickly downloaded it. Special note, there are no points or rewards, which is also very strange for a place this large to not have. No point to it other than to be on their mailing list and I get...

I've been anticipating the arrival of Portillo's for some time, so when I learned of the new branch in North Fort Worth I had to go. Nice large new stand-alone building with two drive through lanes, but be advised the drive through is cashless only. I ordered three Italian Beef sandwiches with the "hot peppers" and a Chicago style hot dog. The order taker in the drive through lanes was polite and efficient, and after.paying I went around the rather narrow lane to the pickup window. There was one lady in her car in front of me at the window, and nobody behind me...This was mid-afternoon on a weekday. After about ten minutes a door opened and an employee came over with my order. I tried catching him before he dashed back inside to request some napkins with my $30-plus dollar order, but he was gone. I pulled around the poor lady still waiting for her order and headed straight home to enjoy these awesome sandwiches. Once home, I unwrapped one of the Italian Beef subs and started in...(The hot dog was inhaled en-route* and had a wealth of fresh, crispy peppers, tomato slice and pickle slices over a little baby wiener...still tasty but where's the beef?) The Italian Beef was still hot and tender like I remembered from a trip to Chicago years ago, the bun was great quality bread, though it will be a bit soggy for to-go orders because of the beef renderings that add to the unique flavor of these authentic sandwiches. The hot peppers and carrots were nicely pickled, yet still nice and crisp, with just the right tanginess to complement the beef and juices.

So try them out, but he advised they may still be sorting out a few of the efficiency and expedite issues for a few more weeks.

Update 04/14/2024: Stopped in for takeout at the Fort Worth location and there were hundreds of race fans there with the same idea. We got three Big Beef Italian beef sandwiches with hot peppers. We also got three orders of fries with the cheese sauce. Everything was hot and fresh...

Just had to try the Legendary Portillo's restaurant. The ambiance is fantastic! The service is actually better than I expected, given the genre of restaurant. The menu looks delicious, though I am personally not really a huge fan of having all items out on endcap, grab and go style. The music was enjoyable, sort of 1930s-1950s atmosphere.

The food was better than I expected. Though, I lament not having access to BBQ sauce, mustard, and mayo at the tables or condiment stand. You will have to ask for those items. And be prepared to get charged for the extra condiments, and not a small amount either. Though, adding lettuce and tomato to the Rodeo burger was no charge.

The seating is nice and spacious, allowing for even larger customers to find a place to sit. The drink station is centralized, and the restrooms by the front door for easy access when entering or leaving. Spacious ceilings, and colorful artwork abounds.

Parking may seem limited, but use that as a measure of how many possible seats will be available inside the restaurant. It definitely looks much larger from the outside. In fact, I feel like drive through is encouraged.

Overall, a better than average, experience. Worth the visit. And bring the kids. My 5yo loved the music, and ambiance. (But, I would bring a coloring or puzzle book to keep the kids entertained while they enjoy the change of atmosphere.

Crinkle fries, Rodeo burger, sub the slice of American cheese for the cheese sauce on the side, large drink, and a slice of chocolate cake. The burger tasted okay, not horrible. The fries were just average. No special seasoning. Though, the cheese sauce was fantastic as a fry dip!

And the chocolate cake. Look, I can make some just as good, or better, but in the end I didn't have to spend an hour on cleanup nor worry about ants, roaches, nor every other vermin coming after my kitchen for that sweet, chocolaty goodness. I will give credit where it's due. The cake was totally...