Chicago eatery famous for hot dogs and shakes eyes Manatee County for new restaurant

Jason Dill
·1 min read

An iconic Midwest restaurant is making plans to come to Bradenton.

Portillo’s, a popular Chicago-area street food chain, recently filed a preliminary site plan with Manatee County Development Services.

The proposed restaurant would go in the Marketplace at Heritage Harbour plaza off State Road 64 East and Grand Harbour Parkway, according to property records.

Portillo’s is known for their hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and chocolate cake shakes.

Some other menu items include:

  • Italian sausage sandwich

  • Beef and cheddar croissant

  • Bowls (beef, Chicago combo or Italiano)

  • Chicken sandwiches (broiled, breaded or spicy)

  • Chicken tenders

  • Char-broiled burgers

  • Breaded whitefish sandwich

  • Ribs

  • Salads

  • Pastas

  • Sides and soups (chicken noodle, chili, cheese fries, onion rings, garlic bread, tamales)

  • Desserts (chocolate cake, chocolate eclair cake, strawberry shake and chocolate, vanilla or strawberry milkshakes)

Portillo’s has applied to build a new store at Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour. Portillo’s is most well-known for their Chicago-style hot dogs, but offer’s a wide assortment of food.
Portillo’s has applied to build a new store at Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour. Portillo’s is most well-known for their Chicago-style hot dogs, but offer’s a wide assortment of food.

Bradenton restaurant planned as Portillo’s expands in Florida

Dick Portillo founded the restaurant as the Dog House in 1963, according to company history. It was a hot dog stand in the Chicago suburb of Villa Park, Ill. The name was changed to Portillo’s in 1967, the company said.

Today, there are more than 70 Portillo’s restaurants in multiple states. The Bradenton store would mark the ninth one in Florida and the first in Manatee County.

The Bradenton restaurant would be 6,250 square feet with a 500-square-foot patio, dual drive-thru lanes and a 79-space parking lot, according to plans filed with the county.

The company did not provide a timeline for the restaurant’s opening.

The Portillo’s restaurants closest to Manatee County are in Brandon and St. Petersburg. On Dec. 4, the fast-casual chain announced plans to open a restaurant in Lutz.

A map shows where a new Portillo’s restaurant is proposed off State Road 64 and Grand Harbour Parkway in The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour, a retail center under development near Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.
A map shows where a new Portillo’s restaurant is proposed off State Road 64 and Grand Harbour Parkway in The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour, a retail center under development near Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.
Portillo’s has applied to build a new store at Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour. From left, Courtney Boyd, Devlin Boyd and George Shiau eat lunch at Portillo’s on March 8, 2021, in Sterling Heights, MI. Portillo’s is most well-known for their Chicago-style hot dogs, but offers a wide assortment of food.
Portillo’s has applied to build a new store at Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour. From left, Courtney Boyd, Devlin Boyd and George Shiau eat lunch at Portillo’s on March 8, 2021, in Sterling Heights, MI. Portillo’s is most well-known for their Chicago-style hot dogs, but offers a wide assortment of food.
Portillo’s has applied to build a new store at Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour. Two Italian Beef sandwiches on Portillo’s menu on March 8, 2021, in Sterling Heights, MI. Portillo’s is most well-known for their Chicago-style hot dogs, but offer’s a wide assortment of food.
Portillo’s has applied to build a new store at Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour. Two Italian Beef sandwiches on Portillo’s menu on March 8, 2021, in Sterling Heights, MI. Portillo’s is most well-known for their Chicago-style hot dogs, but offer’s a wide assortment of food.

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