Portillo’s, a longtime fixture for Chicago-style food, is establishing a presence on one of the city’s most iconic streets – but not in its usual form.
The suburban Oak Brook-based chain is opening a new location at 304 N. Michigan Ave., near the intersection of East Wacker Place, according to a recent announcement. Signage posted on the building read “coming soon,” though it’s unclear when exactly the restaurant will open.
The location won’t be one of its typical dine-in establishments.
“Our Michigan Avenue restaurant will be one of the first in-line, walk-up Portillo’s locations, designed for guests on the go who want a quick and easy way to get their Portillo’s fix,” the announcement read, in part.
Founded by Dick Portillo as a hot dog stand in suburban Villa Park in 1963, Portillo’s has become a go-to spot for Chicago classics such as Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs and cheese fries, as well as signature items like its chocolate cake and chocolate cake shakes.
The chain continues to expand locally, where it operates dozens of restaurants, while also growing nationally, including in Texas, where it recently opened its first in-airport restaurant at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
In recent years, Portillo’s has introduced smaller brick-and-mortar locations that emphasize pick-up and drive-thru options and don’t include typical dining rooms. Such restaurants have opened in Joliet, Rosemont and Orland Park. The chain has grown to more than 90 restaurants in 10 states nationwide.

The Fresko V6 vacuum sealer is currently available for 20% off on Amazon.
This model features fully automatic operation, a built-in cutter, and stronger sealing technology.
The vacuum sealer comes with a starter kit that includes two roll bags and external vacuum accessories.
If you’ve ever had to throw out leftovers, freezer-burned meat or produce that went bad way too fast, you’re not alone. Especially as it is getting more and more expensive to waste food with rising grocery prices, I found an Amazon kitchen deal to help you save your leftovers and your budget.
The compact Fresko Food Vacuum Sealer is designed to remove air and lock in freshness, helping food last significantly longer than traditional storage methods. And unlike older models, this one is mostly hands-free, automatically detecting bags and sealing them with less effort on your part.
It’s quickly become an Amazon best-seller with nearly 1,000 five-star customer reviews, especially for people trying to stretch grocery budgets, meal prep more efficiently or simply keep food tasting fresh longer.
With settings for dry and moist foods, it can handle everything from raw meat to leftovers and produce without complicated adjustments. Plus, this food vacuum sealer is currently on sale for 20% off at Amazon, helping you ring up at under $80. Here’s what it does, why shoppers love it and how to grab the early Prime Day deal.
Save 20% on the Fresko V6 Food Vacuum Sealer ahead of Amazon Prime Day
Original price: $99.99 | Amazon sale price: $79.99 | Savings: $20
What does this Amazon kitchen deal include?
Fresko Food Vacuum Sealer
1 roll bag (11″ x 20′)
10 pre-cut bags (8″ × 12″)
2 vacuum sealer external accessories
The brand also backs the V6 with a three‑year quality guarantee and long‑term technical support, adding peace of mind for shoppers investing in a kitchen upgrade.
Save 20% at Amazon
What is the Fresko V6 vacuum sealer?
The Fresko V6 is a fully automatic vacuum sealer featuring a dual‑chamber design, stronger sealing wire, and built‑in cutter for easier food preservation.
How does this vacuum sealer actually help reduce food waste?
One of the biggest reasons food goes bad is exposure to air. Here’s how the Fresko vacuum sealer can help reduce food waste:
It removes oxygen to slow spoilage
When food is stored in regular containers or bags, air speeds up oxidation and bacterial growth—two major causes of spoilage. This vacuum sealer removes that air before sealing, which can dramatically extend how long food stays fresh.
Helps food last longer in the fridge and freezer
Vacuum-sealed food is far less likely to develop freezer burn or lose its texture and flavor. That means you can store meats, produce and leftovers for longer without sacrificing quality.
→ How long does food last with the Fresko V6? Thanks to its upgraded sealing system, food sealed with the Fresko V6 can stay fresh up to eight times longer than non‑sealed storage.
It makes bulk grocery shopping and meal prep more practical
Because food lasts longer, you can buy in bulk, portion meals ahead of time, and store extras without worrying they’ll go to waste. That’s one of the biggest reasons vacuum sealers are popular with meal preppers and families trying to cut grocery costs.
Save 20% on this vacuum sealer
Does the Fresko Food Vacuum Sealer come with bags?
Yes, this vacuum sealer includes two roll bags, external vacuum accessories, and everything needed to start sealing right away.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes. Its automatic operation, spot vacuum mode, and simple locking system make it especially user‑friendly—even for first‑time vacuum sealer users.
Is Fresko a reliable brand?
Yes, Fresko vacuum sealers rank among the top sellers on Amazon in both Germany and the U.S., earning a reputation for quality and value.
Shop Fresko’s Amazon storefront

Travel changes you, but food cultures are how a city shows you who it really is. The best street food cities don’t just feed visitors — they reveal a community’s history, rhythm and priorities in a single bite. From woks older than your grandparents in Bangkok to UNESCO-recognized hawker stalls in Singore, here’s where the world eats best on the sidewalk.
Why Street Food Beats the Tourist Menu
A guidebook restaurant tells you what travelers want. A street food stall tells you what locals actually eat. That distinction is everything when you’re trying to understand a new place.
Street food vendors have often spent decades perfecting a single dish — one noodle bowl, one flatbread, one skewer. The result is hyper-specialized expertise you can rarely find inside a sit-down restaurant. It’s also the most affordable, immediate way to taste a city.
A good rule of thumb almost anywhere in the world: look for a crowd of locals and bubbling hot food. Skip raw vegetables when you’re unsure of the water supply, and don’t be afraid to point at what someone else is eating.
Which Cities Define Global Street Food Culture
Bangkok, Thailand is widely considered the street food cital of the world. Every sidewalk, alley and canal-side hosts vendors perfecting pad thai, boat noodle soup, mango sticky rice and grilled meats. Yaowarat (Chinatown) and Or Tor Kor Market are the essential stops, and several street food tours now follow Michelin Guide recommendations.
Singore has elevated street food into something unique. Its hawker culture is UNESCO-recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. Hawker centers like Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat and Old Airport Road offer seating and double as community hubs where people play chess or music between bites of Hainanese chicken rice, laksa and bak chor mee.
Hanoi, Vietnam is where dishes you may know from the U.S. — bánh mì, phở — originated as street food. Bún chả, a pork and noodle dish, earned Bún Chả Đắc Kim in the Old Quarter a Michelin recommendation. Locals gather on tiny plastic stools near stalls — a cluster of them is your signal the food is great.
Taipei, Taiwan runs on night markets. Shilin Night Market and Raohe Street Night Market are the heavyweights, with some Raohe stalls earning Michelin Guide recognition. Look for black pepper buns (hu jiao bing), scallion pancakes and oyster omelets. Most stalls stay open until midnight.
Where to Eat Beyond Asia
Mexico City, Mexico is a street food powerhouse. Tacos al pastor shaved from a spit, elotes slathered in mayo and chili, and tamales for breakfast are daily stles. An estimated 75% of the Mexico City population eats street food at least once a week, according to Eater. Centro Histórico is the most concentrated zone for historic stalls, but clusters near transit hubs and office buildings rarely dispoint.
Marrakech, Morocco often impresses visitors more than its touristy cafes. Jemaa el-Fna Square functions as an open-air dining room, marketplace and entertainment hub all at once. The signature dishes: msemen, a flaky pan-fried flatbread, and harira, a hearty soup of tomato, lentils and chickpeas.
How to Find the Best Stalls in Any City
A few rules travel well no matter which city you’re in:
Follow the locals. If office workers and families are lined up, the food is fresh and trusted.
Watch for high turnover. Stalls that cook to order and sell out fast are safer and tastier than slow ones.
Hit transit hubs and markets. Many of the best vendors set up where commuters and shoppers pass.
Book a guided tour on day one. A local guide accelerates everything you’d otherwise learn by trial and error.
Don’t sweat the language. Pointing at what looks good is universal — and often how regulars order anyway.
The best street food cities reward curiosity over caution. Wander a block past the tourist m, and the meal you remember most from the trip is usually waiting on a sidewalk.

The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra is hosting its annual Independence Day celebration Saturday, July 4, along the south banks of the Kankakee River. Three live music performances will lead into a 25-minute fireworks show at dusk.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. at Kankakee Community College. Admission is $20 per carload, cash only. All proceeds benefit the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra.
The music lineup starts at 5:30 p.m. with the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, followed by the Kankakee Municipal Band at 6:30 p.m. and the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. All three groups will perform American and patriotic music. Barbi Brewer-Watson will give opening remarks.
Food vendors open at 5 p.m.: Jimmy Jo’s BBQ, Martinez Tacos, Lauren’s Hot ple Dumplings, Brewhead Espresso, and the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra Concessions.
Picnicking is welcome. Bring chairs and blankets — no seating is provided. Indoor restrooms are available. The grounds are handic accessible.
Grills and personal fireworks, including sparklers, are not permitted.
KCC is located at 100 College Drive, off River Road, south of downtown Kankakee.
The event is sponsored by Riverside Medical Center, the Illinois Arts Council, the Kankakee Valley Park District, the City of Kankakee, and KCC.

At Broomfield’s food pantry and resource center, folks with green thumbs and kind hearts can grow vegetables to support the community through the center’s new Adopt-A-Garden-Bed program.
Among the work to connect people to resources and distribute food hpening at Broomfield FISH, the food pantry tends to many gardens that ensure a fair share of literal dirty work — and in its new program, community members can help out.
Our Adopt-A-Shelf program led to Adopt-A-Garden-Bed, and folks adopting shelves helps us get our high-need items, said Crystal Egli, FISH’s community engagement manager. Adopting a garden bed costs less money, and instead of a monetary donation or bringing in items, people grow vegetables for the marketplace.
FISH stands for Fellowship In Serving Humanity, and at the heart of the organization is its self-serve marketplace where visitors, for free, can shop for their own food just like a grocery store.
Our fresh fruits and vegetables leave the shelves fast, Egli said. We don’t even worry about storage or running out of space because it’s all gone so quickly.
The marketplace gets its fresh produce from a variety of sources, including partnerships with grocery stores, donations from the community and FISH’s own gardens that are tended by volunteers and employees, Egli said.
Broomfield’s Salvation Army location nearby had donated some gardening space for FISH to grow produce, but this year FISH has access to even more growing space.
We had some garden beds last year, but now we have access (to) the whole space, said Butter Wilde, FISH’s garden coordinator. It’s the most generous thing — letting us use all this space.
FISH now has over 50 garden beds to tend at the Salvation Army, according to Egli, and with additional space comes a need for additional labor.
Through the Adopt-A-Garden-Bed program, community members can help with that labor. FISH provides the garden bed and all the watering, so hopeful farmers just need to plant vegetables and tend to their beds. FISH asks that a portion of the produce grown comes back to the marketplace, but volunteers are welcome to keep some as well.
FISH also asks that growers stick to proved vegetables, such as Roma tomatoes, zucchini and squash, salad greens and other high-yield crops that are in demand in the marketplace. Some produce is not allowed in the gardens, including invasive species such as oxeye daisies or plants that tend to monopolize garden space like mint.
Wilde estimates that adopting a garden bed requires six to eight hours of labor per month, which is a small contribution that can make a huge impact.
With support from the CO Garden Foundation, we expanded our growing space by partnering with the Salvation Army. This allowed us to increase the number of raised beds, diversify crops, and grow more than 1,400 pounds of fresh produce, its recent annual report says. In FY2025, FISH distributed food to more than 15,000 unduplicated people, according to a financial statement document for FISH. That’s equal to roughly one in five people in Broomfield.
By adopting a bed, you don’t need a farm, and you don’t even need a yard, to help feed your neighbors, Egli said.