Chicken sandwiches have been on the menu at Portillo's for some time, but now that they're adding a spicy version, they're officially getting in the ring.

The ring I'm speaking of, or maybe I should call it a "war" is to figure out which fast food place or restaurant can serve up the greatest spicy chicken sandwich.

At this point, if you're a restaurant and have a chicken sandwich on the menu and haven't attempted to make a spicy styled sando, what are you even doing?

Because nearly every restaurant on the planet is doing a spicy chicken sandwich in hopes of taking away some of the business from the king of spicy chicken sandwiches, Popeye's.

I can attest, the Popeye's is deservedly so the top dog (or chicken) when it comes to the spicy chicken sandwich.

We all know the dogs and salads at Portillo's are pretty top-notch, so I'd be interested to find out how it stands up to the current spicy chicken champ.

Portillo's is going about their version of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich a little differently:

Our new Spicy Chicken Sandwich is served on a toasted brioche bun with tomato, lettuce and our new Hot Giardiniera Sauce. The sauce is a hot giardiniera relish mixed into a creamy, hot sauce that can also be used as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, fries, and onion rings!

My mouth was watering just reading that description. Unfortunately, it looks like we're going to have to go into Chicago to try it though, For some reason, Portillo's isn't trying out their new sandwich in Rockford.

According to a review from The Takeout, to which they referred to the Portillo's Spicy Chicken Sandwich offering as a "pretty decent" and that it's only available at 18 locations in Illinois and Indiana.

According to Portillo's, these are the Illinois locations with their new Spicy Chicken Sandwich:

  • Addison & Kimball - Chicago
  • Canal & Taylor - Chicago
  • Clark & Ontario - Chicago
  • Crestwood
  • Deerfield
  • Elk Grove Village
  • Forest Park
  • Gurnee
  • Niles
  • Oak Lawn
  • Skokie
  • Vernon Hills

I believe the Portillo's with the Spicy Chicken Sandwich that would be nearest to Rockford is in either Niles or Elk Grove Village.

Either way, it's a haul but I'm sure you've driven further for less.

If you do make it to Chicago or the suburbs to try out the new Portillo's sandwich, let us know what you think.

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