Here's Portillo's response to nutritional info.

[gsmom]

Dear Jodi,

Thank you for your E-mail. The requirement to
provide nutritional
information is a constantly changing area of
government regulations. At the
current time, state and federal law requires
labeling of those items sold as
retail grocery. Items sold at restaurants are
exempt.

We continue to watch this area so we can remain
in compliance. However, at
this time, the information you seek is
unavailable and we are unable to
comply with your request. Portillo's is a
privately held business, with a
limited number of stores. We do not franchise
our restaurants. The cost of
testing to obtain nutritional information and
keeping such information
current and correct is prohibitive. While we
manufacture some of our
products, we source many products from multiple
suppliers with varying
specifications. This fluctuation in purchasing
would create the need for
prolonged and repeated testing making it
extremely difficult to generate a
concise and accurate report on the nutritional
values of all of our menu
items. We appreciate having the opportunity to
explain.

Sincerely,
Cassie Chytracek
Guest Services
The Portillo Restaurant Group
2001 Spring Road, Suite 500
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 954-3773
(630) 684-0414 Fax


Yet another place I won't spend my money at...

[wendyc]

OK, I'm bummed.
We are coming to Plainfield this week on vacation and the two restuarants we will hit are (drumroll please...) Red Robin and Portillo's!

I guess I'll have to pack my crystal ball:D

[gsmom]

Frustrating, isn't it??? My kids are finally getting to the age that they will eat somewhere else besides McD's & now that eliminates one more option. When we were there I just "guesstimated," but I certainly don't like doing that! Hope you enjoy your trip! :)

[deafmack]

My response is to them " What a bunch of bull" If they use the same menu in all of their restaurants and they have a standard recipes for each of the menu items they have in their restaurants then they can give you the carb counts.

[brownhound]

We've been to plenty of places that they don't have the nutritional info available. But some of them are our fave places to go, so...we go anyway!!!
But c' mon, do you really believe that EACH order of McDonalds fries has the same number of carbs??? Geez, 10 extra fries could be another unit. It's mostly a guesstimate anyway, and we're really good at it aren't we??? As parents, WE know the value of foods better than the 16 year old who's making the food does anyway!! They wouldn't know a carbohydrate if was sitting on their face!( BTW, ketchup has a few carbs and that definitly isn't measured in each burger!) I get so sick of all the questions and concerns. I've been to Portillos (yummy cheese dogs) and a bunch of other places that don't have the nutriitional info available. It's either eat at home and weigh and measure every little thing, or live a life and do the best we can with a really good balance.
Venting again,
Becky
Proud Mom of a 15 (almost 16) yr old T1 son, who would be wretched with or without D, and I love every second!

[Abby-Dabby-Doo]

I'm with you Jodi, don't spend your money at The Portillo!

By going to McDonalds your supporting your local Ronald McDonald house, if you want to feel any better about it. :o