Whether or not or not you had been one of many midwestern U.S. natives who misplaced your minds when it was first introduced that Portillo’s Sizzling Canine was coming to “someplace close to” the Tampa Premium Retailers, you had a current likelihood (on Jan. 26) to take a look at the Chicago fave in individual on the fundamental entrance to the outlet mall.
The Portillo’s “Beef Bus” sat on the mall’s fundamental entrance from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. that day, however quite a bit fewer folks than I anticipated confirmed as much as pattern the Chicago-style scorching canines, chili canines, crinkle-cut fries and Italian beef sandwiches than I anticipated, most likely as a result of there wasn’t a lot selling of it beforehand (at the least not that I noticed).
When photographer Charmaine George and I visited shortly after the Beef Bus first arrived that day, there have been no strains in anyway, however we instantly posted some pics and introduced that even should you didn’t present up that day, you may nonetheless seize one of many “BOGO” playing cards (legitimate at any Florida Portillo’s, together with the closest location on E. Fowler Ave., in entrance of the College Mall) that the restaurant’s advertising crew was gifting away that day. They gave us about 50 of the playing cards, which we talked about in our Fb submit and requested our readers/ followers to direct message me to say “I Love Portillo’s” to be able to be despatched one of many playing cards within the mail. At our press time, we nonetheless had about 20 left, so if you need one, ship me an e-mail with “I Love Portillo’s” within the topic line and we’ll mail you one, too, whereas my small provide lasts!
Our new pals on the Portillo’s Beef Bus don’t know when or for certain the place Portillo’s will open (or they at the least didn’t say in the event that they did know), however now we have now been informed by workers of Rock & Brews, which fronts S.R. 56 in entrance of the mall, that the KISS-inspired restaurant will shut by Might 1 of this yr, when Portillo’s will start the method of revamping the Rock & Brews constructing in anticipation of opening the Lutz/Wesley Chapel Portillo’s earlier than the tip of 2025.
Within the meantime, I hope you’ll proceed to go to Rock & Brews. For extra details about Portillo’s, go to Portillos.com. — GN
