Barnelli's Pasta Bowl - Vernon Hills

We came in eager to try the Chicago-style offerings, but I forgot to specify that when ordering. Instead, we ended up with some other dishes, including grilled tweezers and 'sneaks.' I wouldn't order those again, and next time we'll be sure to clarify about the Chicago-style. However, her burger was fantastic—much better than many of the popular chain options. We both loved sharing it and would definitely recommend it. One issue was that the buns got soggy quite quickly. This isn’t a major concern for me since I usually remove the bread anyway. The fries were good, though a bit too salty for my taste. We also tried the highly recommended cheese sauce, which was nostalgic—it reminded me of childhood sporting events, where cheese sauce was served with everything. The chopped salad was lovely and very fresh; I appreciated that they served the dressing on the side even for dine-in orders, as this prevents the salad from becoming soggy. Overall, we were quite satisfied. We’ll definitely be back for burgers and beer, and hopefully we’ll get to try the Chicago-style next time!

Portillo's easily outshines Five Guys! The toppings on their burgers and hot dogs are incredibly fresh, setting them apart from other burger joints. The grilled flavor is fantastic, and the fries are excellent as well. When Portillo's is involved, it makes other places seem less appealing. The service was outstanding; my wife noticed it right away! She was very impressed with the woman who took our order, who had such a warm and pleasant demeanor—it was truly refreshing. The young man who cleaned and disinfected our table was also exceptional, ensuring everything was spotless. I must say, this level of cleanliness is rare, even during the COVID-19 era. We had a little celebration over Zoom, so we ordered a whole chocolate cake, which was absolutely delicious!