The Most Iconic Restaurant in Illinois is turning 60!

This restaurant single-handedly changed the food scene in Illinois, and it is celebrating its 60th anniversary this week. If you haven't eaten at this place then can you truly say you are from Illinois?

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Wednesday, April 5th will be known as Portillo's Day, to celebrate the iconic restaurant's 60th anniversary. According to an article on nbcchicago.com, Portillo's is bringing back their original stand on a 10-stop tour around Chicago. In the article they say...

"The restaurant, known for its iconic Chicago-style hot dogs Italian beef and chocolate cake, began as a food stand called the Dog House in Villa Park, Illinois, and has since grown to include more than 70 locations spanning nine states...The restaurant chain plans to take the Dog House, its original stand opened in 1963, on a 10-stop tour across Chicago and its suburbs where fans will have a chance to win free merch and tasty treats."

Portillo's and Chicago go hand in hand. When I lived in Chicago and worked as a tour guide for Wendella Boats I can't tell you how many times I recommended Portillo's to out-of-state travelers. Portillo's' helped popularize Italian Beef sandwiches, and has a terrific Chicago-Style Hot Dog, and the most legendary chocolate cake (and chocolate cake shake!) in the world. Portillo's does everything Chicago brilliantly except it doesn't do Deep Dish Pizza, but I'm sure if Portillo's wanted to make a terrific Deep Dish Pizza they could, for now just stick with Lou Malnati's for your deep dish needs. Congrats to Portillo's on 60 years, here is to 60 more!