Portillo's & Barnelli's Crystal Lake

4.4 ( 5218 reviews )
Checking... 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM See Hours
855 Cog Cir, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, United States
+1 815-788-0900
Portillo's & Barnelli's in Crystal Lake is a fast-casual gem that offers a vibrant dining experience paired with delicious fare. Located at 855 Cog Cir, this restaurant has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike, known for its enthusiastic staff and welcoming atmosphere. The signature items, especially the Italian beef and hot dogs, are highly praised, with patrons like Erika Benitez declaring them the best. The menu is diverse, catering to all tastes, from hearty sandwiches and fresh salads to indulgent shakes. Notably, the chocolate cake shake has received rave reviews for its rich flavor, making it a must-try. Additionally, side offerings like cheese fries and savory meatballs complement the main dishes perfectly, ensuring that there's something for everyone. Customer experiences highlight not only the quality of the food but also the warmth of the service, as seen in Steffanie Spangle’s delightful encounter with employee Jim, who made her visit memorable with his genuine cheerfulness. The atmosphere, described as fun and family-friendly, adds to the charm of Portillo's & Barnelli's, making it a great spot for memorable meals with loved ones. Whether you're enjoying a quick bite or a sit-down meal, this restaurant stands out as a delightful destination in Crystal Lake.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers delivery
    • Has drive-through
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves late-night food
    • Quick bite
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Has counter service
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • Good for kids birthday
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For Portillo's & Barnelli's Crystal Lake

Steffanie Spangle
May 18,2025
Jim took my order at the counter. I was greeted so nicely. He was so enthusiastic and really made my day. At the end he even offered my kids hats! He encouraged me to take one too! And to think I almost used the kiosk to order. I really would have missed out on a great interaction! We come here often, and this was one of the only times the kids got hats! Jim made our visit fun! Thanks Jim!!
Erika Benitez
May 16,2025
Really good spot to get food at. The hotdogs are my favorite item on the menu. The spot is fun, family, friendly, and has some thing for everybody. We don’t have any of these down in Texas, so it was a real treat to taste this in Chicago.
jim stephens
May 2,2025
We had a great dinner, usual for us. Italian beef and a Maxwell Street Polish with onions. Also had baked mostacioli which was very good. We got a couple of Italian beef sandwiches to take back since we drove over. There's a lot of decorations as well.
Deborah Rabine
Apr 16,2025
We had not been to Portillo's in several years so we decided to drop in. It was before lunch so no wait and plenty of open tables. I had the fish sandwich and fries and my husband had a burger. We shared a fountain drink and a slice of lemon cake. The hot foods were hot and everything tasted okay. It's probably one of the nicer fast food restaurants.
Jacob
Apr 9,2025
A lovely Asian drive-thru employee, I believe his name was Aiden, has taken my order many a times. Him and the business had a stunning atmosphere with everyone talking and having a great time. I went here with my friends after homecoming and did not regret it. I recommend the Italian beef, cheese fries, and get 3 cake shakes to max out the bulking calories. Excellent service and food.
Erik Bravo
Mar 4,2025
Portillo’s is one of those spots I can always count on for a great meal. From their Chicago-style hot dogs to the Italian beef and loaded cheese fries, everything on the menu is packed with flavor. But my absolute favorite? The Penne Diavolo. It’s hands down one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had from a fast-casual place perfectly cooked penne in a spicy, creamy sauce with just the right amount of heat. Every bite hits. The atmosphere is fun and fast-paced, and the retro vibes just add to the experience. I usually top off my meal with their famous chocolate cake shake it’s dangerously good. Whether I’m in the mood for something classic or craving that spicy pasta, Portillo’s always delivers. A must-visit if you’re in the area.
Conor Cook
Feb 28,2025
I love the decorations at Crystal Lake’s Portillo’s most of all! It is always such a fun place to visit. I didn’t get any pictures this visit, Thursday, April 10th, 2025, but as a long time resident of Crystal Lake I have dined here several times. Today’s visit had a very busy drive thru line but was not busy at all when it came to dine in which was very nice to see for Portillo’s. It is so amazing that they do the promotion with the Chicago Bulls! The food, as always, is delicious and I can’t wait for my next visit back. (Written 4/19/25)
James Steele
Feb 17,2025
Stopped in for a dinner with the girlfriend and her daughter. To start off, this is by far our favorite location and the atmosphere is hands down amazing. Food is always good however there was a mixup with the combo meals. I had ordered a beef combo meal and they put it in as a combo sandwich with sausage and that was it. After receiving food I had noticed something was off and went back to get my order corrected. They told me they had this issue before but they should try to fix it instead of letting it continue to happen. I want to point out an employee who went above and beyond my expectations, Sophia the food caller. Absolutely amazing as she apologized about the mix up and just the way she handled it in general. The entire time we were there she did an amazing job at what her role was. You can tell she enjoys her job very much. With her interacting with customers makes me want to keep coming back. She is what all companies need. Hats off to her and the entire staff. She deserves to be recognized for her outstanding role. Thank you Sophia, we will be back.

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