• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Subscribe
Program Guide
Watch Live

CCX Media

Skip NavigationMenu
  • News
    • Close
        • CCX News
          • CCX News Home
          • Daily Newscast
          • News Stories
          • CCX News Special Reports
          • CCX Media Schools
          • Current Weather
          • COVID-19 Impact
          • Local Vote 2020
        • Feature Segments

          • Business Matters
          • School Spotlight
          • Standout Student
          • Weekend Showcase
          • Seasonal Features
        • News Tip

          Send us a story idea or news tip!
          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Sports
    • Close
        • CCX Sports
          • CCX Sports Home
          • Sports Tips
          • Hall of Fame
          • Upcoming Event Coverage
          • Play of the Week
        • Sports Coverage

          Adapted SportsAdditional SportsBaseballBasketballFootball
          GymnasticsHockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftball
          Swimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWrestling
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
          Shop/Order
    • Close
  • Cities
    • Close
        • CCX Cities
          • CCX Cities Home
          • The Connection
          • In The Community
          • Our Town’s Story
          • Community Resources
          • CCX Media Schools
          • City Meetings
          • COVID-19 Impact
          • Local Vote 2020
        • Your City

          Brooklyn Center
          Brooklyn Park
          Crystal
          Golden Valley
          Maple Grove
          New Hope
          Osseo
          Plymouth
          Robbinsdale
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Create
    • Close
        • CCX Create
          • CCX Create Home
          • Channels
          • Resources
          • Meet The Create Team
          • CCX Create Virtual Tour
        • Get Creative

          • Make Your Own Show
          • Free Classes
          • Contact Us
        • RueShare

          • Member Login
          • Member Guide
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Subscribe
  • Program guide
  • Watch Live
  • COVID Info

A Day for the Dogs: Portillo’s Celebrates Grand Opening

9:18 PM | Tuesday, January 23, 2018

A taste of the Windy City has blown into the northwest suburbs. On Tuesday, Portillo’s had a ribbon cutting and grand opening for its new Maple Grove location.

Portillo’s now has 52 restaurants. The chain has come a long way from humble beginnings in 1963 when it started as a small hot dog stand in suburban Chicago.

“We’re glad to be here,” said founder Dick Portillo. “Come and give us a chance. Give us a try.”

Day one drew a huge crowd as people flocked there to eat. Some city council members had expressed concern about the traffic impact, but there were no issues Tuesday and Maple Grove Mayor Mark Steffenson believes traffic won’t be a problem in the future.

“From what we saw last fall, last summer with the outpouring of desire to have this here, we certainly know that there is a lot of people in the community that want to come to Portillo’s,” said Steffenson.

Portillo’s has a throwback look with plenty of nostalgia. Some believe it could drive more traffic to neighboring bricks-and-mortar shops.

“We will draw more people than pretty much anybody in this shopping center,” Portillo said. “We feed thousands of people a day.”

Crystal resident John Pedersen is among them. Pederson has logged many miles pursuing Portillo’s signature hot dogs and other food items. 

“I’ve been going to Portillo’s for about 20 years,” Pedersen said. “Started going in Chicago. I’d go to Chicago twice a year just to eat.”

Pederson was the first person to get served in Maple Grove and was thrilled to be part of it all.

“I have never gone to a grand opening,” Pedersen said. “I said ‘this is one I am not missing.'”

Related Stories

Footer

NAVIGATE

  • CCX Media
  • NEWS
  • SPORTS
  • CITIES
  • CREATE
  • Job Opportunities
  • Meet the CCX Media Team
  • ABOUT CCX MEDIA
  • Annual Programming Reports
  • CABLE COMMISSION

SUBSCRIBE

Get email updates for daily story previews. “Week in Review” video links, and programming previews.

Subscribe Today

CONNECT

HAVE A NEWS TIP? CALL OUR TIPLINE AT:  763-533-1710
Send us story ideas and comments!
Get in touch with us
               
 NEWS   SPORTS
 SHOP/ORDER

LOCATION

CCX Media/NWCT
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

Main Phone:  763-533-8196

CCX Media is a service of Northwest Community Television serving the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Copyright © 2021 Northwest Community Television | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement
Web Design and Development by CEL Marketing PR Design and BizzyWeb | Log in