The Chicago Department of Public Health ordered the immediate closure of Portillo's restaurant at 520 North Clark Street on Monday after inspectors discovered multiple critical food safety violations during a routine inspection.
According to the inspection report obtained by CleanKitchens, health officials found evidence of rodent activity in food preparation areas, improper cold holding temperatures for several meat products, and inadequate hand washing facilities for employees.
"The violations posed an imminent health hazard to the public," stated the inspection report. The popular Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef restaurant must remain closed until all violations are corrected and the establishment passes a follow-up inspection.
This marks the third closure for a Portillo's location in the Chicago area within the past six months. The chain has faced increased scrutiny following a series of food safety issues at multiple locations.
The restaurant's management issued a statement saying they are "working diligently to address all concerns raised by the health department" and hope to reopen within 48 hours. They emphasized their commitment to food safety and promised additional staff training.
Customers who may have eaten at the location in recent days and experienced illness are encouraged to contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at 312-746-7425.
This closure comes amid a broader crackdown on restaurant health violations in Chicago, with city inspectors reporting a 23% increase in critical violations found during the first quarter of 2025.