Portillo's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Portillo's cooks with: Fries cooked in a beef tallow + vegetable oil blend (moderate PUFA); mayo, salad dressings and the chocolate cake use soybean oil (high PUFA).. Across the 46 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.1g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
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Safest Orders at Portillo's
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Hot Dog with Everything, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Italian Beef (Regular Sandwich) | 2.0g |
| Onion Rings | 2.6g |
| Chicago-Style Hot Dog | 2.8g |
| Chili Cheese Dog (Regular) | 2.8g |
| Italian Beef (Big Beef Sandwich) | 3.1g |
What to Avoid at Portillo's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (with dressing) | 28.8g |
| Greek Salad with Chicken (with dressing) | 23.7g |
| Chopped Salad (with dressing) | 23.4g |
| Hamburger (Double) | 17.7g |
| Chocolate Cake | 16.0g |
Every Portillo's item, ranked
All 46 items we have for Portillo's, safest first. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| BBQ Sauce | 0.0g |
| Strawberry Shake (Regular) | 0.4g |
| Vanilla Shake (Regular) | 0.4g |
| Chocolate Shake (Regular) | 0.4g |
| Chocolate Shake (Large) | 0.8g |
| Vanilla Shake (Large) | 0.8g |
| Strawberry Shake (Large) | 0.8g |
| Italian Beef (Regular Sandwich) | 2.0g |
| Onion Rings | 2.6g |
| Chicago-Style Hot Dog | 2.8g |
| Kids Hot Dog Meal | 2.8g |
| Chili Cheese Dog (Regular) | 2.8g |
| Kids Hamburger | 3.0g |
| Hot Giardiniera Sauce | 3.0g |
| Italian Beef (Big Beef Sandwich) | 3.1g |
| Jumbo Hot Dog | 4.0g |
| Hot Dog with Everything (Jumbo) | 4.0g |
| Chili Cheese Dog (Jumbo) | 4.0g |
| Tamale | 4.7g |
| Beef N Cheddar Croissant | 4.7g |
| Cheese Sauce | 5.0g |
| Broiled Chicken Sandwich | 6.9g |
| Char-Grilled Italian Sausage | 7.2g |
| Baked Mostaccioli (without Sauce) | 7.3g |
| French Fries (Regular) | 7.8g |
| Chocolate Cake Shake (Regular) | 7.9g |
| Chicken Tenders (4 Piece) | 8.0g |
| Single Cheeseburger | 8.2g |
| Maxwell Street Polish Sandwich (Plain) | 9.3g |
| Baked Mostaccioli (with Marinara Sauce) | 9.7g |
| Baked Mostaccioli (with Meat Sauce) | 10.0g |
| Hamburger (Single) | 10.1g |
| Breaded Fish Sandwich | 10.3g |
| Italian Beef and Sausage Combo Sandwich (Regular Sandwich) | 10.3g |
| French Fries (Large) | 11.2g |
| Breaded Chicken Sandwich | 11.8g |
| Bacon Burger (Single) | 12.2g |
| Cheese Fries | 13.9g |
| Italian Beef and Sausage Combo Sandwich (Big Beef and Sausage Sandwich) | 15.6g |
| Chocolate Cake Shake (Large) | 15.7g |
| Double Cheeseburger | 15.8g |
| Chocolate Cake | 16.0g |
| Hamburger (Double) | 17.7g |
| Chopped Salad (with dressing) | 23.4g |
| Greek Salad with Chicken (with dressing) | 23.7g |
| Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (with dressing) | 28.8g |
Frequently asked
Does Portillo's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Portillo's cooks with: Fries cooked in a beef tallow + vegetable oil blend (moderate PUFA); mayo, salad dressings and the chocolate cake use soybean oil (high PUFA).. Across the 46 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.1g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
What oil does Portillo's cook with?
Our research indicates: Fries cooked in a beef tallow + vegetable oil blend (moderate PUFA); mayo, salad dressings and the chocolate cake use soybean oil (high PUFA).. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Portillo's use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Our research indicates: Fries cooked in a beef tallow + vegetable oil blend (moderate PUFA); mayo, salad dressings and the chocolate cake use soybean oil (high PUFA).. Beef tallow is far lower in PUFA than seed oils.
Is Portillo's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Portillo's cooks with Fries cooked in a beef tallow + vegetable oil blend (moderate PUFA); mayo, salad dressings and the chocolate cake use soybean oil (high PUFA)., which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Portillo's?
Italian Beef (Regular Sandwich) is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Portillo's, at an estimated 2.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Portillo's?
Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (with dressing) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Portillo's, at an estimated 28.8g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. New to the topic? Start with what seed oils are and the complete list, or read the evidence on why people avoid them.
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See where Portillo's lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.