Business Name
Portillo's

Business Website
www.portillos.com

What is your name?
Erica Saltsman

Time in business:
60 years

What product or service do you offer?
 
We're known for our famous Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, chopped salad, cheese fries, homemade chocolate cake, and chocolate cake shake. Our Italian beef is slow-roasted for four hours, thinly sliced, and served on freshly baked French bread. Then, it's dipped in hot gravy made with our homemade blend of seasonings that we've been perfecting for 50 years. Haven't tried Portillo's yet? Order an Italian beef, dipped with sweet or hot peppers (add mozzarella if you're feeling cheesy), or a Chicago-style hot dog "dragged through the garden" and you'll see what all the hype is about.

What makes your business different, competitive, or unique?
 
No matter the location, our fans are bun-believably obsessed! Guests cake shake their way in for our Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, cheese fries, fresh salads and famous chocolate cake. But it's not just our menu that sets Portillo's apart.
People are the Heart of Portillo's. Our teams relish the opportunity to serve up the Portillo's experience in our vintage-inspired dining environments and via our unique drive-thrus. This operating model has allowed us to stay the top dog when it comes to getting hot, fresh food to guests fast, which is why guests only have fries for us!

What is the nicest thing a customer has ever said about your business?

"Just ate Portillo's for the third day in a row and I feel like I'm just out here living my best life." -@imwifedup_

How has your business found value in your membership with the Gilbert Chamber?

The Gilbert Chamber was so helpful with us getting the word out for our last-minute Grand Opening event. We were only able to give them less than a week's notice about it, but there was still a wonderful presence from the Gilbert Chamber community and we are so grateful for that support.
 
What motivates you professionally?

Putting new teams together in the restaurant; finding the mix of people that become each other's support as well as take care of our Guest's by delivering the Portillo's Experience.

What do you consider to be your greatest success?

My son Max will always be my greatest success. Being his mom has taught me more life lessons than anything else could.

Who do you look up to or admire?

My Mom, because she is the embodiment of grace and integrity. She believes in fairness in all things and has been her children's number one fan since birth.

When you're not working, where in Gilbert do you spend your time?

I spend a lot of time indoors at the Restaurant, so I like to be any place that I can stay outdoors, whether that is a park or a restaurant with a great outdoor patio.