THE COLONY, Texas — After many months of anticipation from hot dog fans across the North Texas area, one of the most famous Chicago-based restaurants has made it known when the Lone Star state will get to try some tasty new frankfurters.
Portillo’s, the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of unrivaled Chicago street food, announced Tuesday it will hold the grand opening for its first Texas restaurant on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 10:30 a.m.
The restaurant will be located in The Colony, on 4560 Destination Drive.
Before the restaurant officially opens the morning of Jan. 18, Portillo’s will present two local charity partners, NTX Community Pantry and Lewisville Education Foundation, each with a $5,000 check in celebration of the opening.
Once open, customers will be able to order Portillo’s signature menu items like Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers and chocolate cake.
The restaurant will be located 20 miles from downtown Dallas in The Colony's Grandscape complex – the largest mixed-use real estate, retail, entertainment and restaurant development in North Texas. The 7,900-square-foot restaurant will feature seating for more than 260 guests and a double lane drive-thru.
The new restaurant will also incorporate elements of the surrounding community as part of its décor, including a vintage 1967 Toyota Stout as a nod to the automaker’s nearby North American headquarters.
In March 2022, Portillo's CEO Michael Osanloo said Texas was the No. 1 state in the country for its shipping business.
“Texas is an amazing market, and I can’t wait for our fans there to see this showstopper of a restaurant,” Osanloo said in March 2022. “We’ve had fans asking us to bring a brick-and-mortar restaurant there for years. We’re investing in the right people and the right real estate to make this restaurant a home run for them.”
In October 2021, Osanloo gave interviews to both Forbes and the Chicago Tribune, saying his company would be opening a restaurant "in a town near Frisco next year."
The desire to bring this Chicago-based restaurant has been around for quite awhile. There is a public group on Facebook called "Portillo's wanted in DFW" that was created in January 2009, and as of January 2023, it had more than 2,800 members. That is more than double what it had less than one year ago (1,200 members).
“We are very excited to welcome this iconic brand to Grandscape,” President of Grandscape Jeff Lind said in March 2022. “Our mission continues to be creating a destination unlike any other, offering brands that are often first to the market while creating a one-of-a-kind visitor experience. Portillo’s is famous for their offerings and their service, and we look forward to being their first home in the state of Texas.”
Portillo's opened its first restaurant in Illinois in 1963. The company currently has 70 restaurants in nine states. Texas will soon be the 10th.
Portillo's said guests are invited to sign up for Portillo’s Birthday Club to be in-the-know on the restaurant's latest events.
For more information on this restaurant and others, you can visit portillos.com or follow Portillo’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.