‘Organized chaos’ underway at Portillo’s in Normal

Posted on August 16, 2017

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Normal City Manager Mark Peterson predicted it would be pandemonium as restaurant-goers rush to the new place in town, Portillo’s.

However, founder Dick Portillo doubts the Landmark Drive eatery will record the most successful opening ever in the restaurant’s history.

That honor goes to Portillo’s in Scottsdale, Arizona, which he said took in $438,000 after sales taxes in the first seven days in 2013.

Portillo calls it “organized chaos” how his employees learn to handle big crowds of customers.

“Did we handle it? Of course we handled it. People came in, they got their food and they left,” Portillo said.

“Did they have to wait? Yeah, some of them waited two hours.”

About 170 people are working at Portillo’s in Normal, part of a nationwide workforce of more than 6,000. Portillo said that’s not counting all the work he provides for the many suppliers who do business with him.

How are other restaurants dealing with all the Portillo’s ballyhoo? For one more day, customers of Times Past Inn at Towanda Plaza can buy a hot dog for only $1. Chili dogs are only a $1.50.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…