Portillo's 1 Year Anniversary Means $1 Chocolate Cake Slice In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — In honor of Portillo’s celebrating its one-year anniversary in Joliet, the growing national restaurant chain announced Monday that it will offer its famed Chocolate Cake for just $1 a slice on Tuesday, Feb. 21, with the purchase of any entrée.

The press release stated that the $1 chocolate cake slice will be available in Joliet when ordering through the drive-thru or ordering takeout or delivery at Portillos.com or via the Portillo’s app for iOS and android, using the promocode JOLIETBDAY during checkout.

The Joliet Portillo's is a triple-drive thru, and it's at 1444 N. Larkin Ave., part of the North Ridge Plaza.

On Monday night, Joliet Patch interviewed Michael Portillo, vice president restaurant support, based in Oak Brook. Patch asked if he's happy that he chose to put the company's first exclusive triple drive-thru-only restaurant —without no dining room —in Joliet.

"Oh yeah, absolutely," Portillo said. "By all the metrics we have had, it's been a great success. And it was the first of its kind, too. We certainly appreciate the support from Joliet, and we work hard every day to earn it, hopefully."

In addition to the $1 chocolate cake slices available on Feb. 21, Portillo's announced that with every online order placed at the Joliet location during February – either via the Portillo’s app or website – guests will be entered for the chance to win a $50 gift card.

Portillo's noted in Monday's press release that the company wants to show its gratitude for the open arms with which the Joliet community welcomed Portillo’s by donating $1,000 each to Joliet Public Schools District 86 and Spanish Community Center.

Last week, Joliet Patch published a story examining how the North Ridge Plaza, since the addition of Portillo's, has undergone a dramatic positive transformation. Last weekend, the latest business to open was the dd Discounts. Two more stores are months away from opening, and a new Starbucks is being built in proximity to the Portillo's restaurant.

Portillo said he was not surprised to learn that Joliet's North Ridge Plaza on Larkin Avenue has had a remarkable success over the past year, since the Portillo's restaurant opened Feb. 1, 2022.

Portillo came to Joliet one year ago to celebrate the grand opening event.

"We're a destination spot," Michael Portillo remarked on Monday night. "It attracts, and that also helps the community we are in. That's where it's a great partnership. It's a true win-win. As a company, we've always evolved."

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Portillo's, Michael Portillo pointed out.

According to Portillo's, in 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in Villa Park, which he called “The Dog House.” Years later, Portillo’s has grown to include restaurants in more than 60 locations across several states. The Chicago-based restaurant is best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and famous chocolate cake.

Related Patch coverage:

DD's Discounts Leads Joliet Shopping Center's Remarkable Revival