Chicago: Get ready to start your day with an Italian beef sandwich and Portillo’s chocolate cake in donut form.
Starting April 15, Portillo’s will launch a test of breakfast for the first time in its 65-year history. But the morning daypart offering will be limited to five stores around the chain’s hometown of Chicago.
The menu will be available from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. daily for dine in, through the drive thru and for takeout, the company said. It’s described as a limited-time pilot that “represents Portillo’s strategic approach to menu innovation based on longstanding customer demand,” according to press materials.
“Chicago has been asking for Portillo’s breakfast for years, and we’re thrilled to deliver our unique take on morning classics,” said Garrett Kern, Portillo’s vice president of strategy and culinary.
Stan's Donuts has recreated Portillo's famed chocolate cake. | Photo courtesy of Portillo's.
Here are some highlights.
Signature breakfast sandwiches include:
- Polish Sausage, Egg & Cheese with char-grilled sausage, scrambled eggs, American cheese and Giardiniera sauce on French bread
- Pepper, Egg & Cheese with scrambled eggs, sweet peppers, American cheese and Giardiniera sauce on French bread
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese with scrambled eggs, bacon and American cheese on a croissant.
Portillo’s famous chocolate cake has been recreated by Stan's Donuts as an old-fashioned donut dipped in chocolate glaze and finished with chocolate frosting, created in partnership with the longtime doughnut brand.
Sides on the breakfast menu include a loaded scramble with eggs, hash browns and bacon, topped with Portillo’s cheese sauce; or hash brown bites and a fresh fruit cup.
Hash Brown Bites are a side to be dipped in cheese sauce. | Photo courtesy of Portillo's.
The coffee program, featuring hot and cold selections, will feature the local Metropolis Coffee. Here the famed Portillo’s dessert makes another appearance as Chocolate Cake Iced Coffee, made with the cake flavor and cream. There's also a Vanilla Iced Coffee with cream.
And, of course, guests can also select an Italian Beef Sandwich, which is one of the chain’s core menu items.
A Breakfast Meal Deal for $7.99 features a breakfast sandwich, small coffee and Hash Brown Bites.
Whether breakfast might be expanded across the 94-unit chain remains to be seen.
Here are the locations that will offer breakfast on Tuesday: 520 W. Taylor St., 155 South Route 83, 15900 S. Harlem Ave., 1155 Brook Forest Ave., and 8832 W. Dempster St.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.