Once again, Portillo’s is putting that oh-so-famous chocolate cake in the spotlight. The latest reason? The Chicago-style chain’s Tampa location at University Mall has a milestone coming up: its 500th day of business.
Those who stop by on June 27 can nab a $1 slice of chocolate cake with the purchase of an entree salad, ribs or a sandwich — hot dogs included. Portillo’s bakes the signature double-layer dessert fresh daily, then frosts it with chocolate icing.
Alongside the cake offer, giveaways of restaurant swag are in store for the celebration, but the merriment doesn’t end there. The chain plans to present a donation to Tampa’s Shriners Hospitals for Children, as well as bestow one guest with free Portillo’s for a year.
Patrons must place a web order with the University Mall outpost anytime throughout the month to be entered for the chance to win (Portillo’s has committed to giving 20 percent of the sales from its June orders placed online — up to $2,500 — to Shriners). Accompanying the grand prize victor, 10 additional winners receive a $25 gift card.
Portillo’s brought its iconic hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches to the Sunshine State in April 2016, when the doors of the highly anticipated Brandon location opened. Tampa followed five months or so later, and the chain has yet to expand in Florida outside of the Bay area.
This article appears in Jun 7-14, 2018.
