"Welcome to Brookfield:" Portillo's opens its first location in Wisconsin

BROOKFIELD -- A taste of Chicago has landed north of the border. Portillo's opened its first location in Wisconsin on Tuesday, July 19th.

With the snip of a ribbon -- and a line out the door --  Tuesday morning's highly anticipated opening of Portillo's in Brookfield was underway.

"We get thousands of requests every year for where we should build a Portillo's location and Wisconsin has always been at the top of the list," said Nick Scarpino, VP of marketing and PR for Portillo's.

The popular restaurant chain features a full menu of Chicago staples -- from hot dogs to Italian beef sandwiches, and so much more.

"Every time we go to Chicago, always have Portillo's. Had it shipped out for Father's Day," said restaurant-goer Chris Fanning.

There are so many favorites on the Portillo's menu, but one thing you can only get at the Brookfield location is the Badger Brat. It features a Usinger sausage, with ground mustard and sauerkraut -- to get some Wisconsin flavor in this Chicago restaurant chain.

Founder Dick Portillo got his start in a 6' x 12' trailerback in 1963. But over the last half-century, he's developed almost a cult following.

"I've eaten at every Portillo's restaurant," said Pete Robinson.

Robinson first tried a hot dog back in 1964. And for the past 15 years, he's showed up at every single opening, all over the country.

"My wife says I'm nuts. Dick walks up to me today and he says, 'OK, we can open now. Pete's here,'" said Robinson.

The Brookfield Portillo's will employ about 200 people. And while it is the first location in Wisconsin, it may not be the last. Portillo's is already looking into a second location in Greenfield.