Roger Ramjet wrote:Note that this is the first (i.e., primary) definition given.

It's also, for what it's worth, the first (and only) meaning I thought of, since the context makes it clear that the business owner in question is indeed selling his business, rather than compromising the quality of his products for the sake of profit (a secondary meaning of the expression).

The thing is, that 'primary' definition refers to sale of inventory, not the business itself. When used in this context, the term has mostly been replaced by the term 'cashing out', while that 'secondary' meaning is the one that most people associate with the term.

Portillo's has been a Chicago area institution for years and with good reason. I think Kitty said it best!

I agree that Portillo's does not have the number one beef in Chicago. However, I believe it is the best in the NW burbs and stands up well to the competition in the city. IMO, it is far superior to beef sandwiches at our local Italian/pizza joints.

Living in the NW burbs makes getting a Chicago-based beef on the spur of the moment prohibitive. So, when the urge strikes it's Portillo's on Dundee in Arlington Heights for me. I also like their Maxwell Street polish and their tamales have good flavor and are always steamed just right.

Whether Portillo's will survive as it is after the sale remains to be seen. We'll just have to wait and see which way the beef bounces.

By the way, if anyone has a recommendation for a really good beef in the NW suburban area I'd be interested.

midas wrote:

eating while walking wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:As a fan, how concerned are you about prospective changes under the new ownership?

=R=

Hm, not very concerned to be honest. I hesitate to geek out even more about Portillos but I think their kitchen workflow process is quite impressive. If the new owners can resist the temptation to tinker with the well oiled machine the place should do just fine.

The odds of them resisting are almost infinitesimal. I can't think of a single restaurant that I liked and was bought out that didn't turn to crap. They all think they have a better way of making money. They either raise the prices or scale back portion size or find cheaper vendors for their ingredients, or something. But they always have to change something because they are always smarter than the people they bought it from.

I can't remember how many times I've seen a tried and true recipe posted somewhere and yet almost everyone that comments on it makes changes to it. It's basic human nature to try and improve on something. Unfortunately it often ends in failure.

HI,

Since Berkshire Hathaway owns Dairy Queen, what changes have been observed since acquisition? Did it improve, stay the same or not as good as before?

My feeling if the customer experience has been about the same, this could be a good test on what to expect at Portillo's.

I just noticed Pampered Chef was wholly acquired in 2002 with the founder Doris Christopher still the big cheese.

I really don't think there is a lot to fear for Portillo's.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Since Berkshire Hathaway owns Dairy Queen, what changes have been observed since acquisition?

I worked for a company bought by Buffett in the 80s. I think Berkshire tends to be an outlier for acquisitions, changing very little. For example, since the time that he bought Mrs. See's candies more than 30 years ago, I haven't noticed changes in the quality of the product.
Having worked for a couple other companies that were radically changed after acquisitions, I wouldn't be surprised to see some cost cutting at Portillo's.

TomInSkokie wrote:Having worked for a couple other companies that were radically changed after acquisitions, I wouldn't be surprised to see some cost cutting at Portillo's.

HI,

If you didn't see any change at See's from a customer experience, then perhaps these cuts may be on the internal workings invisible to the public.

Time will tell.

Regards,

Berkshire Partners, which is buying Portillo's, has absolutely no relationship to Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway. So what happened to Dairy Queen and Mrs. See's gives us not a clue as to what to expect for Portillo's.

The comparison Chicago-based franchise which worries me about the Portillo's sale is not Uno - that sale if I recall was only for the images and not necessarily mandating the recipes or the product selection.

The comparison is Corner Bakery. I thought the original Corner Bakery was outstanding for what it was, and spent a fair number of afternoons working on projects while lunching in the Hinsdale location near the train station. After it was sold, food quality went down dramatically and it just became not cheap but still mediocre. I have one across the street from my office and I only go there about three times a year when I have a desire for a chicken salad sandwich.

To a lesser extent, Five Guys' rapid expansion has a similar issue. The ground beef just isn't as good any more as it was when it was just a DC-area chain.

Hopefully Portillo's will have enough processes and leadership in play to keep that type of negative transition from happening when the economic trends temporarily swing downward.

scottsol wrote:Berkshire Partners, which is buying Portillo's, has absolutely no relationship to Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway. So what happened to Dairy Queen and Mrs. See's gives us not a clue as to what to expect for Portillo's.

Thanks for the clarification.

The latest issue of Consumer Reports reviews fast food. They really like Portillo's hot dogs. As far as burgers go, McDonalds and Burger King are at the bottom of the list. In and Out I believe come in second for taste. Chickfila comes in #1 for chicken sandwiches, and for store cleanliness.

TomInSkokie wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Since Berkshire Hathaway owns Dairy Queen, what changes have been observed since acquisition?

I worked for a company bought by Buffett in the 80s. I think Berkshire tends to be an outlier for acquisitions, changing very little. For example, since the time that he bought Mrs. See's candies more than 30 years ago, I haven't noticed changes in the quality of the product.
Having worked for a couple other companies that were radically changed after acquisitions, I wouldn't be surprised to see some cost cutting at Portillo's.

You are correct. Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway have a spotless reputation for leaving everything in place. Buffett is an investor, not a change agent. For many years he has bought companies and not changed a thing. Buffett talks to many of his managers only once a year.

Source: Berkshire Hathaway annual reports and shareholder meetings.

As noted in Post 68, Berkshire Hathaway has no involvement with Portillo's, it's Berkshire Partners from Boston.

BP lists the transaction as a "leveraged buyout"

scottsol wrote:As noted in Post 68, Berkshire Hathaway has no involvement with Portillo's, it's Berkshire Partners from Boston.

BP lists the transaction as a "leveraged buyout"

I know that. I didn't say that it did.

I was just answering a question about Buffett and the other Berkshire.

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

Children are not born to continue their parent's efforts in life. It is terrific if they take an interest, though sperm meeting egg is not a mandate. Many farmers wished their kids wanted the farm.

I can't help but wonder if the children feel that "sperm meeting egg" mandates they inherit a Billion dollars

Figured I'd mention this for us who live in the Italian Beef desert known and the North Shore. Portillo's still wants the On The Border location on Lake-Cook Rd in Deerfield. They are having a meeting with the village October 23rd and hope to open by May next year. Have to admit, this is something I've wanted for a long time. I work 2 minutes from that spot and live another 10 minutes away.

And since you guys were mentioning Al's, I heard they plan on expanding to the Dallas area as well.

Once the date for the last day of family ownership has been announced, I'll be very disappointed if people don't start camping out three days ahead of time at every location.

riddlemay wrote:Once the date for the last day of family ownership has been announced, I'll be very disappointed if people don't start camping out three days ahead of time at every location.

i literally laughed out loud

Update for those who care: Deerfield has given the ok for Portillo's to begin construction on Lake-Cook Rd even though they haven't given a final approval for the special use permit.

sundevilpeg wrote:There are also two Cali locations of Al's - one in Chino (east of LA, vaguely in the Ontario area), and one in San Jose.

3 now. one in Alhambra (next to a Nancy's), and the other 2 mentioned above.

Ram4 wrote:Update for those who care: Deerfield has given the ok for Portillo's to begin construction on Lake-Cook Rd even though they haven't given a final approval for the special use permit.

This can't be good news for TeddyFabz and Cookers.
Any word on whether or not the Deerfield location will include Barnelli's?

Kesey wrote:

Ram4 wrote:Update for those who care: Deerfield has given the ok for Portillo's to begin construction on Lake-Cook Rd even though they haven't given a final approval for the special use permit.

This can't be good news for TeddyFabz and Cookers.
Any word on whether or not the Deerfield location will include Barnelli's?

I'll let you know when I find out. Cookers I think will survive as it has it's own following and specials (plus all you can fresh cut fries - all you have to do is ask for more), but I think Teddy Fabz is doomed. I work 2 minutes from Teddy Fabz and probably went there maybe 6 times in the few years they've been open. And the bottom line is everything at Portillo's that Teddy's serves is better at Portillo's.

Ram4 wrote:

Kesey wrote:

Ram4 wrote:Update for those who care: Deerfield has given the ok for Portillo's to begin construction on Lake-Cook Rd even though they haven't given a final approval for the special use permit.

This can't be good news for TeddyFabz and Cookers.
Any word on whether or not the Deerfield location will include Barnelli's?

I'll let you know when I find out. Cookers I think will survive as it has it's own following and specials (plus all you can fresh cut fries - all you have to do is ask for more), but I think Teddy Fabz is doomed. I work 2 minutes from Teddy Fabz and probably went there maybe 6 times in the few years they've been open. And the bottom line is everything at Portillo's that Teddy's serves is better at Portillo's.

What about Dear Franks? They can't be pleased by this development.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:What about Dear Franks? They can't be pleased by this development.

=R=

Agreed. But at least they have other locations.

I think Dear Franks does a decent job on a classic Chicago hot dog and fresh cut fries. Their beef is among the worst I ever had. Don't forget Josh's (formerly Wolfy's, in the Ira's location on Sanders). He'll be affected a bit too.

Well, the drama with this location never stops. The mayor of Deerfield issued a statement saying Portillo's has decided not to build the restaurant, citing parcel challenges they are not able to immediately overcome. There is still a chance things could happen, but who knows.

I would like see Portillo's come to the area so but it would put Cooker's Red Hot's on just the other side of the train tracks out of business. Portillo's french fries have nothing on the fresh cut ones from Cooker's.

verno6000 wrote:I would like see Portillo's come to the area so but it would put Cooker's Red Hot's on just the other side of the train tracks out of business. Portillo's french fries have nothing on the fresh cut ones from Cooker's.

Portillo's fries are cooked in beef tallow and when fresh are great. Cooker's are good too, but usually too soft.

Ram4 wrote:Well, the drama with this location never stops. The mayor of Deerfield issued a statement saying Portillo's has decided not to build the restaurant, citing parcel challenges they are not able to immediately overcome. There is still a chance things could happen, but who knows.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Here's a link in the Sun Times regarding Portillo's decision.

http://newssun.suntimes.com/2014/10/23/ ... deerfield/