Beloved Chicago Chain Restaurant is Launching Breakfast Items

Just three years ago, Portillo's revealed they were considering offering breakfast items on their already illustrious menu. Now, the time has come for the beloved Chicago chain restaurant to begin serving breakfast.

You don't need to tell a Chicagoan how good Portillo's is. For decades, the chain has been renowned for their Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, and crinkle-cut fries. Oh, and you can't forge the chocolate cake shake. However, for the first time in their 62-year history, Portillo's is looking to incorporate breakfast into their menu.

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The restaurant issued a release with the announcement, per NBC 5 Chicago:

A major milestone for Portillo’s, the limited-time offerings include a lineup of savory egg sandwiches with a Portillo’s twist, an exclusive chocolate cake donut collaboration with Stan’s Donuts, locally roasted coffee from Metropolis Coffee, and even the brand’s iconic Italian Beef—now breakfast-approved - Portillo's press release, per NBC 5 Chicago

It's important to note that not all Portillo's locations will be offering breakfast. This is essentially a pilot program being tested at five Chicago-area locations, including:

• Chicago, Canal and Taylor – 520 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL
• Elmhurst – 155 S Route 83, Elmhurst, IL
• Tinley Park – 15900 S Harlem Ave, Tinley Park, IL
• Shorewood – 1155 Brook Forest Ave, Shorewood, IL
• Niles – 8832 W Dempster St, Niles, IL

NBC 5 Chicago also published Portillo's complete breakfast menu at those aforementioned locations, and, oh man, let's just say I'm already planning on carving out a couple days-in-a-row to try almost everything on it.

All breakfast items sourced from NBC 5 Chicago.

Signature Breakfast Sandwiches:

• Polish Sausage, Egg & Cheese: A flavorful wake-up call featuring Portillo’s signature char-grilled Polish sausage layered with fluffy scrambled eggs, melted American cheese and a bold Giardiniera sauce, all nestled in freshly baked French bread.
• Pepper, Egg & Cheese: A vegetarian-friendly option with scrambled eggs, roasted sweet peppers, American cheese and zesty Giardiniera sauce, served on classic French bread.
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese: A breakfast staple, with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and gooey American cheese, all served on a warm, buttery croissant.
• Stan’s Donuts Collaboration:
  
  • Portillo’s Chocolate Cake Donut: Inspired by Portillo’s famous chocolate cake, this decadent donut is an old fashioned-style chocolate base dipped in glossy chocolate glaze and finished with a generous swirl of rich chocolate cake frosting.

• Morning Sides:

  • Loaded Scramble: A hearty combination of scrambled eggs, golden hash browns and crispy bacon, all smothered in Portillo’s creamy cheese sauce for a forkable morning feast.
  • Hash Brown Bites: Crispy, poppable and perfectly seasoned, these golden-brown bites are an easy side or snack on the go.
  • Fresh Fruit Cup: A refreshing option featuring a medley of fresh-cut fruit for a lighter start to the day.
• Metropolis Coffee: Locally roasted in Chicago, Metropolis coffee is available hot or iced, offering a rich, smooth complement to any breakfast combo.
  
  • Chocolate Cake Iced Coffee: Inspired by Portillo’s famous chocolate cake, this decadent drink is crafted with Metropolis’ Skyway blend, rich chocolate cake flavor, and cream.
  • Vanilla Iced Coffee: A smooth and creamy option made with Metropolis’ Skyway blend, vanilla flavor, and cream.
• Italian Beef for Breakfast: Portillo’s signature Italian Beef sandwich—slow-roasted, thin-sliced and served on fresh French bread—is now available bright and early for those craving a meatier morning bite.
• Breakfast Meal Deals: Value-conscious guests can enjoy a sandwich, small coffee and Hash Brown Bites for just $7.99.

There was some initial confusion because Portillo's initially announced on Instagram that they would soon be offering breakfast on April 1st. It was no April Fool's Day prank, however. Last year, Portillo's also made the move to add "Windy City" items to its menu, including a Spicy Chicken Chopped Salad and a Chicken Pecan Salad with Bacon. The items were added based on feedback the chain solicited.

Presently, there are roughly 95 Portillo's locations around the country. While most exist in Illinois, some are located in Wisconsin, Michigan, California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Read more about Portillo's launching breakfast items on NBC 5 Chicago's website.