Portillo's Maple Grove

I also got the onion rings, which were perfectly crunchy—definitely a plus in my book—and a small chocolate cake shake that was delightful and more than I could finish after my meal. The portion sizes were just right—generous but not overwhelming. The only reason I didn’t give a full 5 stars is that the bathrooms and dining room tables could use a bit more attention. I chose not to use the restroom aside from washing my hands, but thankfully, a friendly dining area attendant was available and offered to help us with anything we needed, even wiping down a table for us.

We received our food quickly, and the restaurant was clean with a charming old-school atmosphere. The staff was excellent! The kids enjoyed their chicken fingers, cheeseburger, and fries. The hot dogs were tasty as well. If you're not a fan of vegetables, just a heads up that the hot dogs come with a large tomato slice and a unique-looking relish. Overall, we were very impressed.

The food is surprisingly good for fast food. It's a bit pricey—$19 for an Italian beef sandwich with cheese (an extra $0.75) and sweet peppers (another $0.75), along with a small fry and a small drink. The staff were friendly and provided an excellent recommendation. The meal was quite filling, so I decided against getting a shake, but I've heard they’re fantastic.

The service was okay, and the food was better than I thought it would be. The Chicago dog was great, and the onion rings and cheese fries were very good. The star was the chocolate cake shake, and the strawberry lemon cake shake was really tasty.

Having lived in Chicago previously, I was thrilled to discover this, with their Chicago Style hot dogs. They're just as I remember them, as is the Maxwell Street polish sausage. The onion rings are probably my favorite of any place, as the batter is crunchy yet light, and it doesn't overpower the onions. The portions, when it comes to fries and onion rings and drinks, are quite large. I could do with smaller drink size availability. The chocolate cake is practically decadent, and they will give you a free piece on your birthday if you register your birth date. The atmosphere is really fun and upbeat, with a lot of old photos that include the first version of Portillo's way back when, and vintage signs and other memorabilia on the wall. Service is great. I don't think I've ever eaten in there when someone didn't come by and check to make sure it's all okay. From the counter people that take the orders to the people who call out your order in rhyme when it's ready, they've all been friendly when I've been in there. It's very clean. It's kid-friendly, and parking in the lot in front is plentiful. Also there is a really nice outdoor patio to sit at during good weather.