Portillos Richmond - Richmond (TX)

5 /5 Kendra Williams: Portillo’s in Richmond is a gem for comfort food lovers! We ordered a little bit of everything to get the full experience, and it did not disappoint. The burgers were juicy with just the right amount of char on the patty, layered with fresh toppings and a soft, toasted bun that held up beautifully. The fries were golden, crispy on the outside yet fluffy inside—the perfect sidekick. We also tried one of their signature hot dogs, and it was spot-on: a snap with every bite, topped with all the classic fixings in true Chicago style. And then, the star of the meal—their famous chocolate cake. Moist, rich, and decadently frosted, it’s the kind of dessert you’ll still be thinking about days later. The atmosphere is casual but lively, and the staff made us feel right at home. Every plate that came out looked just as good as ours, which tells me consistency is a big deal here. We’re already planning our next visit—this is going to be a regular stop for us!

1 /5 John E: First of all there were seven employees in the nearly empty restaurant. Nobody was at the counter. There were two self serve kiosks but I REFUSE to use them. Our order was stamped at 3:50. Our food was finally ready at 4:09. They set our bag on the counter and made my wifes shake further delaying us. When my wife opened her chicken sandwich she found the cheese and bacon on top of a hamburger. The manager remade her order. Although she refunded the $32 we spent i was totally disappointed. My hot dogs and fries were tepid at best and the buns soggy. We have been to other Portillos locations and enjoyed our meals. This location needs work. Overall we were 100% unhappy with the experience.

3 /5 Kasey Yu: I’ve been to the original Portillo’s in Chicago, so when I heard one was opening in Houston, I was genuinely excited. As a big fan of hot dogs, I had high hopes that it would live up to the Chicago experience. Unfortunately, after a few visits, I have to say—it just doesn’t quite measure up. I’ve tried several items on the menu to give it a fair shot, including the cheeseburger, the Chicago-style hot dog, and the chili cheese dog. The cheeseburger, while char-grilled, was nothing memorable. It lacked the flavor or quality that would make me order it again. The Chicago-style hot dog is a classic and definitely the go-to for many. Personally, I’m not a fan of all the traditional toppings, but I respect the authenticity. Still, the sausage itself has an odd texture or bite that throws me off a bit. I do appreciate that it’s a different kind of hot dog than your standard variety. The chili cheese dog was the most disappointing. The hot dog was cold, so I had to take it home and reheat it. On top of that, it had way too many beans in the chili for my taste, which made it less enjoyable. On the plus side, the decor is fun and captures that classic Portillo’s charm—it feels like a lively, family-friendly environment. It’s usually packed, which shows that people are excited about it. The staff has always been respectful and helpful during my visits, which I appreciate. Overall, while I wanted to love this Houston location as much as the original, it just hasn’t hit the mark for me yet.

3 /5 Diana: My partner, originally is from Chicago, and I visited Portillo’s hoping to enjoy an authentic Italian beef sandwich and Chicago-style hotdog. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet our expectations. First, the parking situation was chaotic; many people ended up parking at Costco since the main lot was overcrowded. Be cautious about parking near the drive-thru, as you risk getting blocked by people trying to order. The lines stretched almost to the door, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. Although ordering was straightforward. This location is also quite a drive from central Houston about an hour to an hour and a half so keep that in mind if you’re coming from inside the loop. The biggest letdown was the Italian beef sandwich, which lacked flavor, and even the juice seemed bland. It didn’t come with hot sauce or other accompaniments, which would have enhanced the experience. I don’t usually add extras like ketchup, so I was hoping for more in terms of seasoning and authenticity. On a positive note, the restaurant was very clean, and the staff were friendly and attentive. This might be due to the location being new, so I hope they maintain this level of service as time goes on. Overall, it was an okay experience but not quite worth the drive if you’re expecting a true taste of Chicago.

3 /5 0504 Traveller: i had looked online and noticed that Portillo’s from Chicago had opened many locations in Houston so when i was in the Richmond i decided to stop by. it was my first time experiencing the restaurant so didn’t know what to expect. it’s more fast food than i expected as you order from a screen and then sit until your order is called. your order is packed to go and you can either take it to go or sit at the restaurant. the restaurant was huge with lots of seating but there was no staff cleaning tables or keeping up with the dining area. we ordered the cheeseburger, the kids chicken tenders, and the chopped salad. the kids tenders and the honey mustard sauce that came with it were good; the french fries were also good. the burger was decent with a good size and flavor but nothing spectacular. the chopped salad was a good portion size and had decent flavor. overall it was a good experience. would i go out of my way and is it something unique from chicago like deep dish pizza, no; but its decent food if you are in the area