Dick Portillo started Portillo s Hot Dogs in 1963 in a small trailer with no running water. Portillo s Hot Dogs serves Italian beef, Maxwell Street Polish Sausages, burgers, salads and hot dogs. Additional menu items include mostaccioli, ribs, chicken sandwiches, chili, meatless sandwiches and soups. Portillo s has received so many Silver Platter awards the Oscars of the food industry the company retired from the competition for five years to give others a chance to win the awards. Portillo s Hot Dogs has locations in California, Indiana and Illinois. Portillo s Hot Dogs is owned and operated by The Portillo Restaurant Group. The group s other concepts include KeyWester, Barnelli s and Luigi s House.