Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
Matthew Green · 176 Google reviewsPortillo's & Barnelli's Chicago — honest sandwiches in River North. Feels like it's been there since before the neighborhood changed. Cong CAO: "The beef was super tender and flavorful—pretty sure it was slow-cooked forever" [$]
What 24,572 diners keep saying
What 24,572 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Great spot for a classic Chicago dog! As close as you’ll get to the real thing from a street vendor.”
“This place has ruined hot dogs for me... I'll explain, we live 13 hours away and I know it will be a long time before I have another hot dog as amazing as the one I had here! I don't eat beef so I went with the vegan dog (even though I'm not vegan or even vegetarian) and it was so amazing! My husband had the polish sausage and thought it was great! My kiddo got a burger and said it was great too. The restaurant was quite busy the day we went but the service was quick and polite. We chose to sit on the patio and it was clean. Five stars for sure!!”
“If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, straight-shooting verdict on Portillo’s and its Barnelli’s counterpart, here it is: it’s not just a restaurant; it’s a Chicago rite of passage. If you haven't been, you aren't really doing the city right. The Verdict: Portillo’s Portillo’s started as a humble 12-foot trailer in 1963 called "The Dog House," and they haven’t lost that blue-collar grit. They’ve perfected the art of fast-casual without cutting corners. The Italian Beef: This is the heavyweight champion. We’re talking slow-roasted beef, sliced thin, and dunked in a seasoned gravy that hits just right. Order it "dipped" with hot giardiniera. It’s messy, it’s bold, and it’s arguably the best sandwich in the state. The Hot Dog: "Dragged through the garden"—poppy seed bun, all-beef frank, mustard, neon-green relish, onions, tomato, pickle, sport peppers, and celery salt. Don’t even think about asking for ketchup unless you want to get laughed out of the joint. The Finish: You wrap it up with the chocolate cake shake. They literally blend a slice of chocolate cake into the milkshake. It’s indulgence, pure and simple. The Bonus: Barnelli’s When you’re at a location that features Barnelli’s, you’re getting the best of both worlds. While Portillo’s handles the iconic street food, Barnelli’s brings in the homestyle Italian side of things. They aren't taking shortcuts here either—sauces are simmering all day and the pasta is legit. It’s the kind of place where you can get a serious plate of pasta alongside those Chicago classics. The Atmosphere Whether it’s a 1930s Prohibition theme or a classic '50s diner setup, the vibe is high-energy. It’s fast, it’s loud, and the staff gets the food out with military precision. It’s not a place for a quiet, candlelit dinner—it’s a place to fuel up with quality, authentic grub. Bottom line: If you’re hungry and you want the real deal, you go to Portillo’s. You get the beef, you get the dog, and you leave satisfied. It’s simple, it’s honest, and it delivers every single time.”
“Loved this place. The staff, the ambiance, the vibe, and oh the food. Best Chicago hot dog we had during our trip. Even the fries were great. Definitely worth a visit. Much better prices than some of the other hot dog joints we went to and the food was even better here.”
“From the outside this place looks like a tourist trap. It kind of is, but the inside has cool antique decorations and the food is a lot better (and cheaper) than expected. We got some of the Chicago dogs, which were great, and the chocolate cake shake, which was quite delicious. Overall, a great place for a quick meal.”
“For fast food it was delicious. The large shake was LARGE. Very decadent. Definitely worth a try if you’re new to Chicago~”
“シカゴ風ホットドッグの有名店🌭 辛いの苦手なのでNo pepperにして、その代わりに炒めタマネギを追加しました🧅 平日13:30ごろ入店、オーダーしてからすぐ提供してくれました！とても美味しかったです😋”
“I have wanted to try a Chicago dog for quite awhile. Finally tried one this trip and WOW!! I loved the flavor of all the veggies and hot dog together. The staff is hilarious, the way they call out your orders, i love it. I will be going back”
“I finally got Chicago hotdog in Chicago!!! Oh my goodness I must say I was truly impressed. The hotdog was wonderfully delicious. 😋 I only hate that I didn’t get more than one. Your service was outstanding and the wait time was very short. I was completely satisfied with my order and oh let me not forget that the hotdog smelled good too!!!🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗”
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