After nearly 2 years of anticipation, earlier this week was the official opening of Portillo’s Livonia location. Portillo’s original Michigan location was opened 3 years ago in Sterling Heights. The Livonia location is quite spacious (7900 square feet) but is actually a bit smaller than their Sterling Heights location. But, it still offers seating for 175 plus 50 on their outdoor patio. And of course their food is just as delicious! You may also have seen the Portillo’s Beef Bus around which rolled into the area earlier this year.

In 1963 Dick Portillo invested $1100 (around $10,000-$11,000 today) in a 6 x 12 trailer and named it “The Dog House” in Villa Park, IL 2 miles west of Chicago. What started with hot dogs out of a trailer, has grown to the establishment they are today. With over 70 locations nationwide, Portillo’s is a fun and exciting destination for some delicious Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago Dogs and their famous chocolate cake and chocolate cake shakes.

Matt & Mo’s, which started as a food truck, has the most delicious Italian Beef we have ever had. We actually found them by accident in 2017 or 2018 while on a day drinking adventure in Corktown. It was one of those days that you don’t think eating is your top priority until it is almost too late. When we decided we were going to eat nothing was open near us and we saw a line at a food truck parked the next block down so why not…let’s give it a try.