Craving something new? The Portillo’s secret menu hides Chili Cheese Fries and a massive Triple Cheeseburger just for Perks members

Portillo’s secret menu

If you’ve ever been to Portillo’s, you already know it isn’t just a restaurant. To many, it’s a full-blown experience. For decades, Chicagoans have sworn by its Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, and chocolate cake so good it deserves its own national holiday. Still, when Portillo’s finally rolled into the Orlando area a few years back, the hype was so big it felt like a theme park grand opening. People lined up as if Mickey himself were handing out Italian beef sandwiches at the gates. Floridians weren’t just excited. They were initiated into a new way of life.

Now, Portillo’s is taking things to a “secret society” level. Two new items have quietly snuck onto the menu. However, you won’t find them unless you’re in the know about the Portillo’s secret menu

Welcome to the Club: Portillo’s Secret Menu

Word on the street (and let’s be honest, probably in your group chat, too) is that Portillo’s has launched two top-secret items. However, Portillo’s Perks members get the password to this fast casual speakeasy. That’s right, loyalty has its privileges, and in this case, it’s fries smothered in chili and cheese, plus a triple-decker burger that could qualify as a structural engineering project.

Here’s what’s hiding behind the digital ordering kiosk curtain:

  • Chili Cheese Fries – We’re talking Portillo’s crinkle-cut fries absolutely drowned in smooth cheddar cheese sauce and hearty chili. It’s the kind of side dish that makes you cancel the rest of your day.
  • Triple Cheeseburger – Three ⅓-pound beef patties stacked with cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and ketchup on a toasted old-fashioned bun. Basically, if the leaning tower of Pisa was edible, it would look like this.

To unlock these hush-hush creations, you’ll need to sign up for Portillo’s Perks and hunt down the “hidden menu” section on the kiosk. (No, you don’t actually need a secret handshake, but you may want to stretch first. That burger sounds like no joke.)

Portillo’s in Orlando: A Theme Park-Sized Arrival

Let’s rewind to when Portillo’s first hit Orlando. Theme park fans remember it well: the lines wrapped around the building, locals turned into self-proclaimed food tour guides, and anyone who’d ever lived in Chicago suddenly became a Portillo’s historian. It was like watching Walt Disney World open a brand-new ride. Well, except instead of a virtual queue, you got Italian beef dipped in au jus.

Even today, Portillo’s in Orlando is treated like a destination. You don’t just stop by for lunch; you plan your day around it. Which, to be fair, is the exact same thing people do for Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. The only difference is that Portillo’s has crinkle-cut fries. Advantage: Portillo’s?

The Portillo’s Phenomenon in the Fast-Casual World

Here’s the thing: Portillo’s isn’t just another burger-and-fries joint. It’s a phenomenon in the fast-casual market. While many restaurants are fighting over who can get your online order to your door the fastest, Portillo’s has carved out its own lane by being a destination brand.

  • Experience-Based Dining – A visit to Portillo’s isn’t just about food; it’s about the vibe. The neon signs, the music, the bustling energy, but with hot dogs.
  • Menu Versatility – You can grab an Italian beef, a Chicago-style hot dog, a bacon cheeseburger, a chopped salad, or a massive slice of chocolate cake. Portillo’s doesn’t just do one thing; it does many things, and somehow, it all works.
  • Cult-Like Following – Fans don’t just eat at Portillo’s…they evangelize. People ship Portillo’s food across the country for holidays, birthdays, and family reunions. Who needs turkey when you can have Italian beef shipped to your door in time for Thanksgiving?

So when Portillo’s says, “Hey, we’ve got a secret menu,” the response isn’t casual curiosity. It’s pure, uncut hype.

Portillo’s Secret Menu: How to Join the Not-So-Secret Club

If you’re not already a Perks member, signing up is easier than finding your way out of a theme park gift shop. Just head to Portillos.com/perks, join the club, and look for the hidden menu section on the kiosk in-restaurant. Loyal fans will be rewarded with these over-the-top, bun-believably indulgent items (and probably a lifetime’s worth of napkin shortages).

Portillo’s Secret Menu

Portillo’s has already proven itself as a theme park-level attraction in Orlando, and now it’s upping the ante with a Portillo’s secret menu that feels more like a treasure hunt than a lunch order. Whether you’re braving the Chili Cheese Fries or tackling the towering Triple Cheeseburger, one thing’s for sure: being “in the know” has never tasted so good.

So, next time you’re planning a day at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort, maybe make Portillo’s your pre- or post-show. After all, nothing says “vacation” like eating three cheeseburgers stacked into one and then immediately questioning your life choices. Of course, if you live near a Portillo’s, then you can enjoy this secret menu near your local town.

For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!

Mei-Travel

Expertise. Ease. Value.

Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. 

Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.


Jon Self

Jon Self is an avid theme park fan. You can follow him at @pastorjonself on X/ Twitter or Jon.Self.37 at Instagram. He has been writing and editing in the theme park media world for over a decade. He also writes for several "foodie" sites as well as in the faith-based world.