Portillo’s Debuts in Bloomington-Normal

Portillo’s, the popular Chicago-area restaurant chain, made its Bloomington-Normal debut last week as long lines of diners arrived to check out the fare of burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, ribs and more. The restaurant, the 51st in the chain, is located at 202 Landmark Drive. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media).

Portillo’s employees hand out free tee-shorts commemorating the opening of the Normal outlet last Tuesday. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media).

Portillo’s had a humble start with this tiny hot dog stand in Villa Park, Ill. The group now numbers 51 outlets in Illinois and five other states, including California. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media).