Rise & Dine: Portillo’s Officially Joins the Breakfast Wars
Portillo’s Breakfast: If you thought Portillo’s was just about hot dogs and iconic Italian beef, think again. This summer, they’re giving breakfast lovers—and longtime fans—a mouthwatering new reason to visit early in the day. That’s right: Portillo’s is officially testing a full breakfast menu, and it’s unlike anything the Windy City has ever seen before.
From chocolate cake-inspired coffee to char-grilled Polish sausage breakfast sandwiches, this isn’t your average fast food breakfast. And here’s the kicker: it’s available at only five locations across Chicagoland, so if you’re anywhere near, it might be time to rise and shine for something truly crave-worthy.
Your Portillo’s Favorite? Let’s Hear It!
A Breakfast Debut Like No Other
ABC 7 Chicago was the first to preview this exciting launch. Garrett Kern, a Portillo’s rep, walked viewers through the all-new breakfast offerings during a special live segment—and it had us all drooling by lunchtime.
“We brought pretty much everything on the breakfast menu,” he shared, showcasing a spread that includes bacon, egg & cheese croissants, a pepper, egg & cheese on French bread, and the crowd-stopping Polish sausage, egg & cheese sandwich—a creation Kern dubbed “the most Chicago sandwich out of all three.”
According to Kern, “Nobody’s ever done anything like this before. And as I’ve talked to guests as they sampled it, they’re like, ‘You know what? I didn’t think Polish sausage would be good in the morning, but I’m a believer now.’”
Where to Find Portillo’s Breakfast
This special breakfast rollout isn’t available everywhere. You’ll have to show up in person at select Portillo’s spots around Chicagoland to get your hands on it.
Participating Restaurants:
Breakfast Hours:
🕡 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Heads-up though: During breakfast hours, the menu goes full-on breakfast mode. But don’t panic—Italian beef still makes an appearance, because let’s be honest, what’s Portillo’s without a little beef, even at breakfast?
Explore Latest Portillo’s Menu .
What’s on the Menu? An Epic Morning Lineup
Okay so… never in my life did I expect to be saying this — but yeah, Portillo’s is doing breakfast. And bro, they’re not holding back.
It’s not just a random egg sandwich menu either. We’re talkin’ grilled Polish sausage, eggs, melted cheese, and Giardiniera sauce that lowkey hits harder than coffee.
🥪 Breakfast Sandwiches
⭐ Polish Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich
Honestly, this one’s wild. Smoky, spicy, cheesy, messy — and that toasted French bread? Dang.
Pepper, Egg & Cheese Sandwich
No meat but still slaps. The sweet peppers + Giardiniera combo feels like a morning wake-up punch. Not for the weak.
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant
This one’s the “safe bet,” buttery and soft with just the right crunch from the bacon. A lil comfort if you’re not feelin’ adventurous.
Oh — and one more thing: it’s only in-person at a few Portillo’s in Chicagoland. So yeah, this ain’t everywhere. Gotta hustle for it.
🍩 Portillo’s x Stan’s Donuts Collab
So get this — Portillo’s and Stan’s Donuts have teamed up, and the result is basically a breakfast dessert dream come true. And no, we’re not talking about just any donut. We’re talking about a full-blown excuse to have Portillo’s chocolate cake… for breakfast. Yeah, really.
Double Chocolate Old-Fashioned Donut
Imagine a thick old-fashioned donut, soaked in rich chocolate glaze and then finished off with that iconic Portillo’s chocolate cake frosting drizzle.
Garrett Kern from Portillo’s even joked during an ABC segment:
“This is also, by the way, an excuse to eat chocolate cake in the morning… I think I might have chocolate all over my face right now.”
🍳 Sides & Bites
Loaded Breakfast Scramble
Okay, this bowl? It’s a full-on breakfast beast.
Fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy hash browns, bacon bits, and a flood of warm, melty cheese sauce that kinda makes the fork optional.
(Real talk: You might end up eating it straight outta the container.)
Hash Brown Bites
Golden. Crunchy. Addictive.
These lil’ bites of potato goodness go with everything — but honestly? Pair them with cheese sauce and thank me later.
Bacon (3 pieces)
Sometimes, all you really need is a few crispy strips of bacon on the side to feel like your morning’s complete.
Simple. Salty. Satisfying.
Fresh Fruit Cup
Need a reset after all that cheese and bacon?
This cup’s got a refreshing blend of cantaloupe, honeydew, and pineapple — cool, juicy, and exactly what your taste buds need to bounce back.
☕ Coffee & Drinks
Alright, coffee fans — Portillo’s just made your mornings way more interesting. They’ve joined hands with Metropolis Coffee, one of Chicago’s most loved local roasters, and brought some serious heat (and chill) to the breakfast menu.
Classic Coffee (Hot or Iced)
They’re brewing up the Metropolis Skyway Blend, which is:
- Fair Trade
- Organic
- And loaded with deep toffee and chocolatey notes that actually hit different.
Wanna tweak your cup? Go ahead — add vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, half & half, or even almond milk. Basically, you’re in charge.
Specialty Flavors
- Chocolate Cake Iced Coffee
Yup, you read that right. This one’s inspired by their legendary chocolate cake — rich, creamy, and kinda dessert-in-a-cup vibes.
Morning guilt? What’s that? - Vanilla Iced Coffee
Light, smooth, and available either sweetened or sugar-free. Great for those who like their caffeine mellow.
Other Drink Options (In Case Coffee Ain’t Your Thing)
- Orange Juice
- Apple Juice
- Monster Energy (because let’s be honest, sometimes you just need the boost)
- Milk (Regular or Chocolate)
- Iced Tea (Sweet or Unsweetened)
- San Pellegrino
- Bottled Water
- Soft Drinks
Start Your Order From Portillo’s Official Site
Why Portillo’s Breakfast?
As Garrett Kern put it on ABC 7:
“We’ve been around for over 60 years… and we’ve had people lined up in our drive-through early in the morning. They’re kind of already wanting to get food at breakfast time, so we figured—why not bring that delicious craveable flavor to the morning?”
And honestly, he’s not wrong.
People weren’t just waiting for lunch any more — they were pulling up before 10 a.m. hoping for something hot, fresh, and very Portillo’s. So the brand listened. And now? Breakfast is here, literally coming off the grill and into your morning routine.
Of course, the timing isn’t just about convenience. Let’s be real — breakfast is big business now.
Between McDonald’s going all-day, Wendy’s jumping into the mix, and Taco Bell tossing eggs into tortillas with wild confidence, it was only a matter of time before Portillo’s said:
“Okay, our turn.”
And honestly? Their twist feels different. It’s bold, it’s beefy, and it’s got Chicago running through every bite.
A Limited-Time Taste Test—Don’t Miss Out
This breakfast menu is part of a limited summer test, so if you’re curious, don’t wait.
Whether you’re #TeamPolishSausage or #TeamChocolateDonut (or honestly, both), this is your chance to indulge in Chicago-style breakfast like never before.
Portillo’s wants your feedback—so show up, eat up, and let them know what you think. Who knows? If it’s a hit, breakfast might roll out to more locations nationwide.
Final Thoughts: Worth Waking Up For
Portillo’s has always played by its own rules — and their new breakfast menu? No different.
It’s loud, it’s satisfying, and yeah, it’s got that signature Chicago flair baked right in.
Whether you’re going savoury with the pepper & egg sandwich or fully giving in to the sweet side with a chocolate cake donut and iced coffee, this isn’t some basic breakfast run — this is Portillo’s-style breakfast. And it hits different.
So here’s your move: Set the alarm a little earlier. Get yourself to one of the five test spots. And don’t miss this — because this limited-time rollout?
It’s not your average drive-thru. It’s bigger, bolder, and way more fun.