I've driven by the Portillo's in Tempe many times and have wanted to try it. Today I noticed a Portillo's has very recently opened near my house in Scottsdale. As I was already at Barnes & Noble, I walked over to give it a try. And like the March Madness games currently on television, Portillo's Hot Dogs is "one and done." I will not be returning due to many reasons.
(1) The place is called "Portillo's Hot Dogs." Therefore, I ordered their signature menu item, their beef hot dog with everything on it. When I got my paper bag of food, there at the bottom under my fries was the smallest hot dog I've seen in a soggy bun that was squished from being wrapped up tightly. It brought back memories of the 1970s commercial "Where's the beef?" Really, the hot dogs at the Diamondbacks' baseball games are a higher quality and that's a very low standard. The circumference of the hot dog was smaller than a dime. It's that small. And for being their signature menu item, my expectation was for a quality hot dog that was plump and juicy. Maybe their signature item is actually a kids' hot dog??? They should provide a bigger hot dog in a more appealing manner.
(2) The place is loud. It just gave me a headache to have to listen to a constant barrage of "Order Number 240. Order Number 236. Order ..." constantly blaring over the speakers. Seriously, come up with a better, less obnoxious way to match people with their food.
(3) The whole eating experience has the feeling of disorganized hurry mode. The whole process of ordering to picking up the food is disorganized. Perhaps they should slow down a bit and actually listen to the customer. My order was to eat there, but they give it to me in a bag. I told them my order was to eat there and had to request a tray. I really don't think they're focused on listening in the rush to push people through the assembly line of ordering.
I will not be returning to give them another shot at my business. I chalk this up as a learning experience.