Portillo's
A Chicago-style hot dog concept that’s been around since 1963 just announced the opening of three new eateries in Texas. Portillo’s, the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of unique Chicago-style Street food, revealed the opening of two new spots in Houston and one in Grapevine this week.
One of these three new spots will reside in Staniford, making it the third Portillo’s in the Houston area. This new eatery will be one of the first “Restaurant of the Future” builds, designed with a Southwest diner theme ambiance. Located between US-59 Frontage Road and Nexus Avenue, this new 6,200 square-foot restaurant will feature indoor and outdoor dining spaces with seating for more than 160 diners and a double drive-thru lane. This new spot will also include a Grab and Go area to accommodate remote orders, according to a release.
A second Houston locale will open in the town of Katy at Grand Circle Boulevard. This new 7,700 square-foot spot will feature a retro automotive garage theme and seating for 170 guests inside as well as an additional 50 guests in a seasonal outdoor patio. And just like the Staniford locale, this one will also have the brand’s signature double drive-thru lanes as well as pick up shelves, and a Grab and Go area.
The location that we care about though, will open in Grapevine between Highway 114 and South Main Street. This 6200-square-foot spot will feature a smaller rustic Southwest garage theme under Portillo’s “Restaurant of the Future” design concept. The smaller footprint makes for a more efficient build and will offer seating for about 125 guests inside and seats for nearly 40 guests on a seasonal outdoor patio. And yes, it too will have a double drive-thru lane and a Grab and Go area.
Portillo’s originally started as a hot dog stand in Villa Park, Illinois called “The Dog House.” Founded by Dick Portillo, the restaurant’s namesake, he invested over $1,000 into a small trailer he could sell his unique offering of dogs. Today, Portillo’s has grown into over 80 restaurants across 10 states. And wouldn’t you know it, Texas has the most outside of the Windy City, where it all began.
Best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads, and famous chocolate cake, Portillo’s has been filling hungry stomachs for more than 60 years. For everyone else devoid of Portillo’s in their immediate area, this hot dog concept ships its famous cuisine to all 50 states via Portillos.com. Plus, Portillo’s Home Kitchen is the company’s fast-growing catering business.
Looking for a new job opportunity? Portillo’s is already looking for managers and shift leaders for both restaurant locations; hiring for other Team Members will begin soon. Visit portillos.com/careers for more information.
“With the opening of these three new restaurants in the Lone Star State, Texas will become our largest market outside our home state of Illinois,” says Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo. “Since arriving in Texas, we have been greeted with open arms and empty stomachs, so we are thrilled to be able to continue expanding our footprint in Dallas-Fort Worth and officially bring our unrivaled Chicago street food to the Houston area later this year.”
