Portillo’s makes it official; opening in April or May

Before graduation in May, there is a strong chance you’ll be able to finally get your Chicago-style food fix here in Champaign. 

Opening at the old Home Town Buffet space — they will raze the building and start anew — Portillo’s is officially coming to Champaign. 

The News-Gazette got the scoop locally, while the Chicago Tribune got it up north. 

Some interesting points: 

• Champaign’s store will open before Normal’s store, which is always
• it will be styled as a 50’s-era diner, and pay homage to Chanute Air Force Base, which was located in Rantoul
• – rumor has it that they will also be serving some regional cuisine, in this case, the Horseshoe Sandwich; we are awaiting confirmation on that now  My Uncle Phil totally trolled me on this, and I felt the need to still publish it
• I am in serious trouble, what with Giordano’s opening a mile from a Portillo’s, which are both a mile from my home, which is also a mile from Champaign’s first true New York-style steakhouse, Hamilton Walker’s, set to open next week