Popular Chicago-based restaurant coming to Brandon

Tampa Bay area visitors and residents will be able to get a taste of Chicago while still soaking up the Florida sun when Portillo’s opens this spring in Brandon.
 
The Chicago-based restaurant chain plans to open its new location in the growing suburb east of Tampa, which is the first site in Florida for the chain.
 
“Tampans have been peppering us for years with requests to come to Florida,” says Nick Scarpino, Director of Marketing for Portillo’s. “There are also a lot of former Chicagoans in the greater Tampa area who are already familiar with our brand. We found a great opportunity just outside of Tampa and we’re excited to open our doors soon.”
 
Portillo’s has 39 restaurants, most of which are in the Chicago area. Other locations can be found in Arizona and California.
 
The new restaurant located at the northwest corner of State Road 60 and Lakewood Drive will be 9,000-square-feet. There will be outdoor seating, as well as a 1930’s prohibition theme complete with a 1930’s truck suspended above the dining room.
 
Aside from the unique décor, Scarpino says it is the food that really draws people in.
 
“We are best known for our Chicago-style hot dogs and our Italian beef sandwiches,” he says. “Of course, no meal is complete at Portillo’s without our famous chocolate cake, which is made fresh every day inside the restaurant.”
 
Up to 200 jobs will be created as a result of the new restaurant, which is currently taking applications. The grand opening is scheduled for late March or early April.
 
For more information on Portillo’s visit their website.