Chicago-style hot dogs are coming to Allen via Portillo’s, the fast-casual restaurant concept known for Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, chocolate cake, and shakes.
A representative doesn’t offer a street address or opening date, but their website lists the address as 1955 Central Expressway and says they’re “opening soon.”
A release says the restaurant will be located just south of Allen Premium Outlets, in a 7,700 square-foot space featuring a retro automotive garage theme, with seating for 170 inside, as well as outdoor patio space, and a pair of double drive-thru lanes.
The Chicago-based brand began its expansion to Texas with its first restaurant in The Colony, which opened in January 2023.
In case you require a refresher: Portillo’s Chicago-style hot dogs feature a beef frank with mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomato, celery salt, kosher pickle, and sport peppers on a steamed poppy seed bun.
Their Italian beef features thinly sliced roast beef served on French bread, with the option to have it dry or dipped in gravy.
Their double-layer chocolate cake is iced with chocolate frosting, ready to order solo, but also an ingredient in their Chocolate Cake Shake combining a shake with a slice of chocolate cake.
And thus you have their menu highlights.
In anticipation of the opening, Portillo’s will park a food truck nearby at the Hampton Inn, 830 W. Stacy Rd. for three weeks, from July 25-August 12.
This is a tradition they do before they open: The bus toured the region in July ’22, then came back in September ’22 as a preview, ahead of opening their first restaurant in Dallas-Fort Worth in The Colony in the fall.
The Allen food truck installation will be open for service Tuesday-Saturday from 11 am-7 pm, serving Chicago-style hot dogs, a mini version of its Italian Beef Sandwich, Italian or Maxwell Street Polish sausages, and crinkle-cut French Fries.
This will also serve as a help-wanted center. Interviews will be open Monday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm. Anyone who comes for an interview gets a voucher for a complimentary meal.
