Portillo’s Changes Drive-Thru Payment Policy for Illinois Fans

Well, this move should have people in Rockford talking. Portillo's is taking cash at the drive-thru. Yep, after two years of being card-only, the Chicago-based chain reversed course. So the next time you roll through Portillo's on East State with a ten-spot in your pocket, you're good to go again.

Why Portillo’s Went Cashless in the First Place

NBC 5 in Chicago reports that the change actually occurred back in April, but Portillo's announced it in a blog post that read, "That's right, we take cash in the drive-thru!" Which is kind of funny, because two years ago, they were saying just the opposite. They were going cashless "for safety and speed."

READ MORE: The Chain Restaurant Illinois Is ‘Most Obsessed With’ Has 32 Locations Across the State

The Real Reason Behind the Policy Reversal

Now, I get what they are trying to do. The idea was to make the lines move faster and keep employees safe. The truth is, around here, plenty of us still carry cash, and when it comes time for a fast food run or a last-minute chocolate cake shake, it's just easier to hand over a twenty than digging out a debit card.

Portillo’s Says It’s About “Added Convenience”

Portillo's says this new change is all about "added convenience," which means "we heard you," and hey, good on them. Whether you're tapping your phone or peeling off a couple of singles, they're back to taking all forms of currency.

READ MORE: Did You Know Illinois Is The Only State With This Unique Drive-Thru?

Every Way to Pay at Rockford’s Portillo’s

So, yeah, Portillo's drive-thru in Rockford is once again open to every form of payment, including cash, card, gift card, and more. It's just another reason to swing by for a beef, a polish, some fries, and maybe a slice of that chocolate cake while you're at it.