Rise & Dine: Portillo’s Officially Joins the Breakfast Wars

Portillo’s Breakfast: If you thought Portillo’s was just about Chicago-style 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.

Portillo’s Breakfast Menu
Portillo’s Breakfast

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 is only available in person and at select locations in the Chicagoland area. So if you’re ready to give your mornings a serious upgrade, here’s where you can find it:

Participating Restaurants:

Breakfast Hours:
🕡 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Heads up: during breakfast hours, the menu shifts to breakfast only, but don’t worry—Italian beef is still on the table. Because at Portillo’s, even breakfast can be beefy.

Explore Latest Portillo’s Menu 

Portillo’s isn’t dipping its toes into breakfast—they’re diving in full force. The new menu is bold, hearty, and packed with signature Chicago flair. Let’s take a closer look at what’s being served:

🥪 Breakfast Sandwiches

⭐ Polish Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich
Scrambled eggs, char-grilled Polish sausage, American cheese, and Portillo’s signature Giardiniera sauce on toasted French bread. A smoky, spicy twist to kickstart your day.

Pepper, Egg & Cheese Sandwich
Scrambled eggs, sweet peppers, American cheese, and Giardiniera sauce on that same iconic toasted French bread. A flavor-forward vegetarian option with a Chicago soul.

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant
Crispy bacon and scrambled eggs layered with American cheese on a buttery, flaky croissant. Classic comfort done the Portillo’s way.

🍩 Portillo’s x Stan’s Donuts Collab

In an inspired collaboration with Stan’s Donuts, Portillo’s created something that breakfast dreams are made of:

Double Chocolate Old-Fashioned Donut
Drenched in rich chocolate glaze and topped with their famous chocolate cake frosting drizzle. Why not have chocolate cake for breakfast?

As Garrett Kern joked during the 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
A hearty bowl of scrambled eggs, crispy hash browns, bacon, and ooey-gooey cheese sauce. Fork optional.

Hash Brown Bites
Golden, crispy bites of hash browns that pair perfectly with… well, anything. Especially cheese.

Bacon (3 pieces)
Because sometimes, you just want a little extra crispy bacon on the side.

Fresh Fruit Cup
A refreshing mix of cantaloupe, honeydew, and pineapple for a sweet, light start to your day.

☕ Coffee & Drinks

Coffee lovers, rejoice. Portillo’s has teamed up with Metropolis Coffee, a beloved Chicago roaster, to bring bold and creative brews to the breakfast scene.

Classic Coffee (Hot or Iced)

  • Metropolis Skyway blend — Fair Trade, organic, with deep toffee and chocolate notes.
  • Customizable with vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, half & half, or almond milk.

Specialty Flavors

  • Chocolate Cake Iced Coffee — Inspired by the famous chocolate cake, with its signature flavor and creamy finish.
  • Vanilla Iced Coffee — Available sweetened or sugar-free.

Additional Drink Options

  • Orange Juice
  • Apple Juice
  • Monster Energy
  • Milk (Regular or Chocolate)
  • Iced Tea (Sweet or Unsweetened)
  • San Pellegrino
  • Bottled Water
  • Soft Drinks

Start Your Order From Portillo’s Official Site

Exclusive Portillo’s Breakfast Meal Deal 🍽️

For the first time ever, Portillo’s is offering a breakfast meal combo:

Any breakfast sandwich + small classic coffee + hash brown bites = $7.99

It’s a full, satisfying breakfast that doesn’t break the bank—and it’s only available during the summer test run.

Why Portillo’s Breakfast?

As Kern explained on ABC 7, “We’ve been around for over 60 years… and we’ve had people lined up in our drive-thrus 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?”

The answer? Because fans have been asking for it. And now Portillo’s is delivering—literally hot off the grill.

And yes, the timing is strategic. With fast food titans like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell constantly reinventing breakfast, it was only a matter of time before Portillo’s joined the “breakfast wars” with their own signature twist.

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 been about big flavors and bold choices—and their breakfast menu is no exception. It’s hearty, fun, a little over-the-top, and 100% Chicago. Whether you’re craving something savory like a pepper & egg sandwich or starting your day on a sweet note with a chocolate cake donut and coffee, this is breakfast done the Portillo’s way.

So set your alarm early, head to one of the five locations, and try it before it’s gone. Trust us—this is not your typical drive-thru breakfast.

FAQs

No, breakfast is currently being tested at select Chicagoland locations only: Niles, Chicago – South Loop (Taylor St.), Shorewood, Elmhurst, and Tinley Park.

Breakfast is available from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Yes, the breakfast menu is available in person only, which includes both dine-in and drive-thru—but not for delivery or online orders.

No, during breakfast hours, only the breakfast menu is served. However, Italian Beef is included as part of the breakfast offerings.

Yes! You can get any breakfast sandwich, a small classic coffee, and hash brown bites for just $7.99.

It’s a special collaboration with Stan’s Donuts—a chocolate old-fashioned donut dipped in chocolate glaze and topped with Portillo’s signature chocolate cake frosting. Exclusive to Portillo’s.

Yes, options like the Pepper, Egg & Cheese Sandwich and Fresh Fruit Cup are suitable for vegetarians.

Absolutely! Customize your coffee with vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, half & half, or almond milk.

No, it’s just a test for the summer. If it gets a great response, it may expand in the future.

Yes! Portillo’s wants to hear from you—try it and let them know if you’re Team Polish Sausage or Team Chocolate Cake Donut (or both!).