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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

[EXCLUSIVE] Portillo's Pounces on Previous Pasta Palace Property

With two locations coming soon, Portillo's has reportedly secured a third site in metro Atlanta, according to a real estate source familiar with the restaurant's plans.  

In addition to locations planned for Kennesaw and Cumming, a new Portillo's is planned for Buford, where it will replace a Romano's Macaroni Grill that closed last September.

Macaroni Grill, once a chain with several locations across metro Atlanta, is now entirely gone from the state.  Its Buford site, 3207 Buford Drive, was located in front of the Mall of Georgia.  

Chicago-based Portillo's is expected to open its first Atlanta area location later this fall in Kennesaw where the company is under construction with a their new restaurant on the site of a former On The Border.  ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported May 7 that the company is also expected to open a new restaurant in Cumming as part of a new Fuqua Development project near the Collection at Forsyth.  

Portillo's will likely demolish the current Romano's building to construct one of their new "restaurants of the future," which measure about 6,000 square feet.  

The new Portillo's comes on the heels of news that Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao is also opening in Buford.  ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported May 29 that Fogo is replacing the former On The Border at 3206 Buford Drive with a new restaurant.   

Are you excited about the opening of Portillo's in Buford?  Where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see Portillo's open?  What other restaurants would you like to see open in metro Atlanta? 

Please share your thoughts below.  

15 comments:

  1. How about opening a restaurant actually within driving distance of inside 285? Some of us actually live within the Atlanta border or Decatur and actually have money to spend.

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    1. Because all the transplants who like meat live north otp and rent is cheaper for restaurants. You also get better employees and have to deal with fewer lowlifes in the area.

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    2. Nope. Crime ...

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    3. You guys just got a brand new chicken place last week.

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  2. Finally!!! Buford is starting to attract top dining spots! Keep them coming!

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  3. As a former Chicagoan in the area I hope this information is accurate. We have been waiting for quite awhile for toss to happen.

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  4. Uhhh...how can Iwe be excited about a new Portillo's, wnen the article makes absolutely no reference to the kind of restaurant that is Portillo's?

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    Replies
    1. Google it, duh

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    2. Why don’t you google it? This is 2025

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  5. NO WAY!!!!! As a transplant from Chicago, this is the best news! Every time we go back to Chicago we get Portillo’s; we even have it shipped here to ATL sometimes! 😁 It is the best. Can’t wait!!!!!

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  6. Loved the Italian Beef at Portillo's when I was living in Chicago during the mid 70's. Would like to see a location in the Snellville/Loganville area. OH YEAH! ITALIAN BEEF!

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    1. Italian Beef is the best. Hot and juicy and when you bite in it bursts in your mouth with juicy meaty goodness. Can’t wait.

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  7. Yes!!!!!! Chicago dogs and cheese fries!

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