"I have lived in Chicago for several years prior to moving to Tampa. My husband is your typical suburban Chicago guy who enjoys his beef sandwich. So yes, we indulged like fat people eating Al's, Portillo's and (insert famous Chicago beef sandwich places here) when we feel like we earned it, which is usually after we walked 5km with the dog.So when I aced my US citizenship interview in Tampa, what did we do? Celebrate at Portillo's like fat Americans that we are (ha, I am now an American ordered grand chocolate cake milk shakes that are around 1500 calories per drink, onion rings, fries, and beef sandwiches. It's just the price of freedom.Everything in this Portillo's is the same as with Chicago, even the onion rings and the yummy shake. But, I have to say, the beef sandwiches are too dry. In Chicago, no matter which branch you go to, if you order a dry beef sandwich, it will still be soggy enough to wet the bread. You bite into it and the sauce will explode in your mouth and melt with the beef. However, in Tampa's Portillo's, the beef sandwich is so dry, you taste the iron in the beef. It's sad.I certainly felt less American as there's less oil, less fat, and less calories enveloping my mouth in this particular Portillo's. I hope they improve it to Chicago's standard because I am willing to gain 30 pounds to get to eat those great sandwiches again."
