Report: Chicago-Based Portillo's Eyeing Woodbury For Next Location
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Chicago is making a move on the Twin Cities. Or, at the very least, their food franchises are.
Last year, Giordano's opened a pizzeria in Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood. Now, Portillo's is following suit.
The hugely popular Chicago-based hot dog franchise is reportedly looking to open its first Minnesota location.
The Pioneer Press reported the company has applied to develop an area north of Hudson Road and west of Radio Drive in Woodbury. The paper said that while the application has been submitted, Woodbury's planning commission and city council still have to approve it.
Portillo's said the move to Minnesota came after their success in Wisconsin.
"Because of the overwhelming response we recently received in opening our first restaurant in Wisconsin, Portillo's has been actively looking at potential sites for new restaurants throughout the Midwest. These potential sites include the greater Twin Cities area," Nick Scarpino of Portillo's said.
Scarpino said officially there are no new locations to announce at this time, but that the restaurant is flattered Minnesotans are eager to have one in their city.
Portillo's menu features Italian beef, hamburgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, shakes and more. Diners can eat in or drive thru.
Outside of Illinois, Portillo's has locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana and Wisconsin.