Review of Portillos in Batavia, Illinois

Driving down a busy Randall Road in Kane County Illinois it is easy to get caught up in several stop lights directing traffic to and from many malls, restaurants, and theatres that hug each side of this busy road. The shopping potential is unlimited whether you are driving through Algonquin to Geneva. There is a little something for everyone. Once the shopping or movie is through, it is often the custom to go out and grab a quick bite to eat. We like to frequent the Geneva Commons Mall about once a month to browse the shops. Our occasional after shop dining experience usually takes us up Randall Road to Portillos in Batavia.

Portillos is a large chain of fast food restaurants created by founder, Dick Portillo. The man literally started the business with a single hot dog cart and a lot of hard work. The Portillo chain eventually expanded all throughout the Chicago metropolitan area before appearing in other states within the U.S. Dick Portillo has even expanded his franchise as far away as Japan.

The Restaurant

Portillos in Batavia is located at 123 N. Randall Road and conveniently located across Randall from the movie theatres. The restaurant offers up parking around the restaurant with a drive thru lane for carry out services. The parking lot often becomes overcrowded very easily and can sometimes be rather dangerous with the high degree of traffic as people will occasionally back out of their parking spot without regard to approaching cars going into the drive through lane. I usually cringe every time I use either the drive thru or park and eat in with worry for getting my car hit.

The inside of the restaurant is very roomy and features two counters or restaurants within Portillos'. The west counter is the operating side to the Portillo's fast food. The North counter is called Barnellis and offers salads, pasta, ribs and a variety of other delectable dishes.

The décor of the restaurant is a roaring twenties theme with prohibition style characters and classic cars propped high up above the tables. My kids always are fascinated by the large car that is suspended above the table.

The Food

The food is what brings people back to Portillo's all the time. The restaurant offers up Vienna beef hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and Italian and Polish sausage. The food is always hot and never to greasy.

The French fries at Portillo's are one of the best fast food fries in Chicago. The potatoes are crinkle cuts that are always fried gold brown.