Portillo's & Barnelli's Vernon Hills — Restaurant in Vernon Hills

There are two Portillo‘s I go to. One is in Arlington Heights, Illinois. I make sure I go there once a month when I have an appointment out that way. The second one I go to is in Vernon Hills. Now this one I have gotten very attached to. It is by the hospital and I’ve had to go to the hospital a few times for family members, I’ve gotten to know the employees over there and they’ve gotten to know my situation mainly the ones that take the orders at the Drive Up window usually after hours of visiting, I’ll stop by for dinner or I will go and have lunch there before I go to visit, they always take time to listen. They always give me a smile and most of them remember me from before. I got my chocolate cake the other day from my birthday and the man who took the order, asked if I would like to take a piece to my husband who was in the hospital again. I said no, that was OK. The thought, though that he offered, I found very kind at a time when I was very sad. I wish they would build one closer to my home by Fox Lake. But until then, I will continue to go there not only for the wonderful beef sandwiches and fries, but for the support they have given me during this time. I hope to be able to once again drive there with my husband and have lunch again. I would also like to say that during the time my mom was in hospice at the hospital, one of her last meals were from Portillo’s because she loved their hotdogs and fries! And I will always remember the last time we had lunch and parked under the trees and watched everyone coming and going. I will have that memory of my mother and I at that restaurant forever. Thank you for all your kindness to all your employees especially the ones that take the orders in the...

I recently visited Portillo’s in Vernon Hills, IL, and had an absolutely fantastic experience! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was inviting, and the staff was friendly and attentive, making sure we were well taken care of.

We decided to try a variety of items and were thoroughly impressed. The Garden Dog Hotdog was a standout for me – fresh, delicious, and perfectly seasoned, making it a great option for vegetarians or anyone seeking a lighter take on the classic hotdog experience. The Garden Salad was another hit – crisp greens, fresh toppings, and a delightful dressing that tied it all together beautifully.

Now, let’s talk about dessert! Portillo’s is known for their sweet treats, and they did not disappoint. We tried the Chocolate Cake Shake, and it was rich, creamy, and full of real cake pieces – a decadent must-have. The Chocolate Cake itself was moist, perfectly balanced in sweetness, and an absolute crowd-pleaser. The Salted Caramel Spice Cake added a delightful mix of flavors, with a hint of spice and a perfect touch of salty caramel that elevated the dessert game. Finally, the Chocolate Éclair Cake was smooth, luscious, and the perfect finish to an incredible meal.

Overall, our visit to Portillo’s was memorable, with delicious food, mouthwatering desserts, and a great dining atmosphere. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a satisfying meal and top-notch desserts in Vernon Hills. We’ll definitely be back for more! Five...

Not too shabby! My husband and I moved to Chicago Nov of 2021, and we have been hearing about “Chicago staples” since then so we gave this a try.

Really fun interior design, plenty of seating, and the place seems to stay busy - which is a nice change given all the quiet of the past two years.

Service is pretty efficient for the number of orders they take.

We really came for the Chicago style Polish, but I forgot to mention the “Chicago style” so we ended up with their other polish sausage, with grilled onion and mustard. I personally wouldn’t order it again, and next time we’ll be sure to tell them Chicago style.

Their burger was great, so much better than a lot of other popular chains right now. We both enjoyed sharing it and would recommend it. Only issue, the bun got soggy very quickly, which isn’t a big issue in my mind, cuz I tend to get rid of the bread anyway.

Fries were good; a bit too salty. We saw the many recommendations for the cheese sauce, and that was a bit of nostalgia. It reminded me of going to sporting events as a child, and the cheese sauce they would serve with everything.

The chopped salad was nice too. Very fresh, love that they give you dressing on the side even for dine in orders, as it is better to not have a soggy, overly saturated salad.

Overall, we were happy. We definitely will be back for burgers and beer, and hopefully a Chicago style sausage next...