For years, Chicago residents craving a juicy Italian beef, crinkle-cut fries and a chocolate cake shake have had to journey to River North, home to the only Portillo's restaurant inside city limits. That will all change in May when, according to a report from the Tribune, a second Portillo's location will open its doors in the South Loop. Located at the northwest corner of Canal and Taylor streets, the restaurant will reportedly be a two-story establishment with a ground floor patio and Prohibition-era themed decor (much like the Portillo's in River North).
The Tribune's report also details a feature that will truly set this Portillo's apart: A second-floor patio. Can you imagine chowing down on a jumbo Chicago-style hot dog while admiring a view of the city's skyline?
Though fans have been asking for another Portillo's restaurant in Chicago for years, this sudden expansion can probably be attributed to the chain's new owners, private equity firm Berkshire Partners. The Boston-based firm bought the chain in 2014 and has since revealed plans to increase the number of Portillo's restaurants in the U.S. Building another Chicago location is a great start—we're already salivating.