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The Independent

partner publisher · 2.6M followers
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Popular Chicago chain known for its hot dogs set to close locations

The Chicago-based fast-casual chain, known for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, has 109 locations nationwide Getty/iStock To be frank, fans of a popular Chicago -style hot dog chain may not relish this news. Portillo’s plans to close a “mid-to-high single-digit number” of underperforming restaurants outside the Chicago area, mostly by the end of the year, CEO Brett Patterson announced Thursday. The Chicago-based fast-casual chain, known for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, has 109 locations nationwide. It said it looked at each restaurant’s sales, operating costs and expected future performance before deciding which ones to close. The company has not yet announced the affected locations. “This will improve portfolio quality, strengthen returns on invested capital and reflect our commitment to disciplined growth,” Patterson said. The move comes as Portillo’s looks to get back on track after struggling to find the same success in markets outside Chicago. The move comes as Portillo’s looks to get back on track after struggling to find the same success in markets outside Chicago (Getty/iStock) Portillo’s plans to put more focus on its existing restaurants and take a more careful approach to opening new locations, particularly in unfamiliar markets. Patterson said the chain

Chicago, IL · 4d

Yahoo!

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7 Frequent Customer Complaints About Golden Corral

Buffets are convenient because you can fill up on precisely what you want, rather than picking a general selection from a menu. Golden Corral is known for this focus, as its buffets feature a wide variety of items. The company offers options for any meal of the day, for adults and children, as well as for various nutritional needs. Whether you're keto or vegan, the food chain advertises that you can find something to nosh on.

Schererville, IN · 8d
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everafterinthewoods.com

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This Old-School Illinois Butcher Shop Still Cuts From Hanging Cattle And Makes Over 80 Sausages

A carved wooden pig head hands out your number at the door. That’s how your visit starts at one of the most beloved butcher counters in Illinois. The kitchen behind the counter turns out more than 80 kinds of sausages and brats. A smokehouse adds more than 10 kinds of homemade bacon to the lineup.

Chicago, IL · 3d
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everafterinthewoods.com

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Families Drive Country Roads To This Humble Illinois Barn For Its Old-Fashioned Fried Chicken Dinners

Peacocks stroll the grounds while families sit down to fried chicken inside an old dairy barn. That alone sounds like a pretty good reason to gas up the car. This Illinois spot pairs that country barn setting with a salad bar loaded with homemade bread, plenty of toppings, and a long list of dressings. On Sundays, a brunch buffet shows up with a dessert spread big enough to need its own line.

Ottawa, IL · 4d
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takemetotn.com

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This Cash-Only Illinois Tavern Has Been Serving Giant One-Pound Burgers For Decades

A full pound of beef on one bun. That’s the standard burger here, not some dare written on a chalkboard. The smaller version is the half-pound option, which tells you a lot about this place. There are no fries on the menu either. You get chips instead, and somehow that quirk feels just right.

Lemont, IL · 23h

familydestinationsguide.com

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These 7 Illinois Restaurants Serve Mexican Food So Good You’ll Say “Ay Caramba”

Ready to find the best Mexican food in Illinois without leaving the state?. These 7 restaurants serve bold flavors and satisfying meals that’ll keep you coming back for more!. 1. El Tragón Taquería (Chicago) The name “El Tragón” roughly means “the big eater” in Spanish, and honestly,...

Chicago, IL · 2d

We Are Illinois

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

Portillo's Announces Closures, But What About Rockford?

Portillo's is closing several underperforming restaurants outside Chicagoland. Here's what we know about the Rockford location.

Rockford, IL · 13h

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Illinois Donut Shop Still Fries Its Huge Apple Fritters Fresh In The Window, Just Like Always

An apple fritter roughly the size of your face comes out of a fryer in a shop window, and the man flipping it opened the place in 1972. He was 85 in 2024. He still works six days a week. The fritters get stuffed with apple chunks and cinnamon. Then...

Chicago, IL · 9d

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Old-Fashioned Illinois Candy Shop Still Makes Its Own Fudge And Caramel Apples In A Nostalgic Little Shop

Caramel apples come with a choice of fruit at one little Illinois candy counter: tart Granny Smith or sweet Honeycrisp. That decision alone could stall a family for ten minutes. Then you spot the bear claws, the cheese popcorn, and the chocolate-dipped apricots. The fudge is made in house, the...

Riverside, IL · 7d

NBC Chicago

publisher · 127.4K followers

Portillo's to close up to 9 ‘underperforming restaurants,' company announces

Iconic Chicago hot dog and Italian beef chain Portillo's will close a "select group of underperforming locations," the company announced during a third-quarter earnings call Thursday. The update came as the company said its results were "ahead" of expectations. “Our strategy is centered on running great restaurants, leveraging integrated marketing...

Chicago, IL · 1d

familydestinationsguide.com

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The Illinois Buffet That Piles Your Plate High With Down-Home Southern Flavor

There’s a green awning on South Michigan Avenue in Chicago that makes a promise most restaurants would be too scared to make. That promise is “Down Home Southern Cooking,” and Pearl’s Place backs it up with every single plate that leaves the kitchen. You’ve probably driven...

Chicago, IL · 1d

takemetotn.com

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This Unassuming Illinois Pizzeria Serves Sausage Pizza So Good It Should Almost Be Illegal

Anthony Bourdain called one pan pizza the only deep dish he ever loved. That pie still comes out of a small, homey pizzeria on a quiet suburban street in Illinois. The crust edge gets so dark and caramelized that it looks almost burnt. It isn’t. That crunchy, cheesy rim is the whole point, and the sausage on top is a house blend.

Illinois · 8d

Yahoo!

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2 IL pizzerias serve some of the best pies in US, report finds. Where to go

Two Illinois pizzerias earned spots on The Infatuation's recent analysis of the best pizza places in America. Both are in Chicago and serve distinctly different styles. FULL STORY: These 2 Illinois pizza shops serve some of the best pies in America, report says Here are key takeaways:. The Sept. 22...

Chicago, IL · 5d

takemetotn.com

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This Hidden Gem Illinois Bakery Proves You Don’t Need Fancy Decor To Make Incredible Donuts

A maple bacon bar that only shows up on Saturdays. A strawberry cheesecake donut wearing pink sanding sugar every Thursday. Apple fritters that wait until Friday to make their entrance. This Illinois donut shop runs its week like a sweet little calendar. The case holds nearly 50 varieties daily, from...

Joliet, IL · 3d

fastfoodclub.com

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Since 1946, Shoup’s Country Foods Has Fed Hungry Hoosiers… Wait, It’s Teibel’s In Schererville

Some Northwest Indiana restaurants come and go faster than rush hour on US-41, but one Schererville dining room has kept its doors open since long before the interstate era. Families have marked birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and ordinary Thursday lunches inside its many rooms for close to a century. The headline...

Schererville, IN · 5d

fox32chicago.com

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Free turkey giveaway begins at five Chicagoland McDonald's locations

CHICAGO - A holiday food giveaway is bringing support to families at five McDonald’s locations across the Chicago area this week. The Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana is holding its 26th annual Food for the Body & Spirit giveaway from Tuesday through Saturday. The...

Chicago, IL · 18h

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Illinois Restaurant Serves Holiday Meals Beneath A Giant Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree stands right in the middle of a department store dining room, rising so high it nearly brushes the ceiling. People book tables months ahead just to eat lunch under it. The room itself dates back to 1907. The walls are covered in walnut paneling, and crystal chandeliers...

Chicago, IL · 2d

unearththevoyage.com

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This Tiny Illinois Bakery Serves Flaky Danish Pastries So Authentic You’ll Swear You’re In Copenhagen

Some of the best bites in Illinois hide in places you would drive right past without a second look. I walked into a small, quiet bakery expecting a quick donut and walked out with a box of buttery Danish treats and a new weekend habit. The kind of flaky layers...

Burr Ridge, IL · 2d

fastfoodclub.com

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Seven Illinois Pizza Taverns Have Been Cutting Squares For Regulars Since The 7s

Ask anyone who grew up around Chicago how pizza should be sliced, and there is a good chance they will say squares, not triangles. Tavern-style pizza, with its cracker-thin crust and party-cut pieces, has been a neighborhood staple across Illinois for generations, and a handful of family-run spots have been serving it to the same loyal crowds for decades.

Chicago, IL · 15h

Q985

partner publisher · 3.8K followers

These 12 Illinois Restaurants Make The List Of America’s 100 Best

Illinois landed twelve spots on OpenTable's best restaurants in America list, and they're all a road trip away in Chicago.

Illinois · 8h