In this guide:
Why Portillo's Works for Macro Trackers
Portillo's is a Chicago-style fast casual chain known for Italian beef, burgers, and salads. If you are tracking macros and eating out regularly, knowing how to order here is essential — because the difference between a 350-calorie, high-protein meal and a macro-wrecking order is usually just one or two substitutions.
The menu has hidden gems once you know the protein-to-calorie math. MacroMate has mapped out 11 optimized Portillo's builds — including the Double Char-Broiled Chicken with Side Garden Salad (Modified for Cutting) at 430 cal / 49g protein for cutting and the Italiano Bowl at 660 cal / 49g protein for bulking.
The key at Portillo's is knowing which items carry their weight in protein and which ones front-load fat or carbs with minimal payoff. This guide breaks down the best builds in each category with exact macros straight from the MacroMate database.
Best Portillo's Orders for Cutting
The Double Char-Broiled Chicken with Side Garden Salad (Modified for Cutting) is the top pick when you are in a caloric deficit at Portillo's. At 430 calories with 49g protein, the protein-to-calorie ratio of 0.114 puts it among the most efficient cuts on the menu. The instructions: Order char-broiled chicken (nudie) ×2 and a side garden salad, no dressing This is the build to memorize for deficit days.
Double Char-Broiled Chicken with Side Garden Salad (Modified for Cutting)
Order char-broiled chicken (nudie) ×2 and a side garden salad, no dressing
When cutting, the goal is maximum protein per calorie consumed. The Double Char-Broiled Chicken with Side Garden Salad (Modified for Cutting) delivers 49g of protein for just 430 calories, leaving plenty of room in your daily budget for other meals. With only 16g of carbs and 16g of fat, the macro split is clean for a deficit.
MacroMate has 1 Cutting build at Portillo's — Double Char-Broiled Chicken with Side Garden Salad (Modified for Cutting) at 430 cal / 49g protein. Download the app to see it.
Best Portillo's Orders for Bulking
For a caloric surplus at Portillo's, the Italiano Bowl is the anchor build. At 660 calories with 49g protein, it delivers serious mass-building fuel in a single order. Order guidance: No changes
Italiano Bowl
No changes
Bulking at Portillo's is about hitting high calories with enough protein to support muscle growth. The Italiano Bowl at 660 cal / 49g protein achieves both. The 47g of fat content means calorie density is high — exactly what you need when eating for size.
MacroMate has 2 more Portillo's Bulking builds — ranging from 450 to 550 calories. See all 3 Bulking builds ranked in the app.
Best Portillo's Orders for Maintenance
Maintenance is about consistency, and the Classic Beef Bowl at Portillo's is built for it. At 450 calories with 38g protein, it hits a balanced macro profile you can order on autopilot. No changes
Classic Beef Bowl
No changes
The Classic Beef Bowl gives you 38g of protein at 450 calories — a ratio that works whether you are maintaining weight, slowly recomping, or just trying to eat well. 1g carbs and 32g fat round out a nutritionally balanced fast food meal.
MacroMate has 1 more Portillo's Maintenance build — the Greek Chicken Salad at 400 cal / 29g protein. See all 2 Maintenance builds in the app.
Best Portillo's Orders for Keto
Keto at Portillo's means finding items with minimal carbs and solid protein. The Classic Beef Bowl delivers with just 1g of carbs and 38g protein at 450 calories. Order tip: No changes That carb count keeps you in ketosis while the 32g of fat maintains the keto macro split.
Classic Beef Bowl
No changes
The Classic Beef Bowl is genuinely keto-compatible at Portillo's. Under 1g of net carbs with 38g protein means no need for creative substitutions — just order it as directed and you are covered for the day's fat and protein targets.
MacroMate has 1 more Portillo's Keto build — the Chicago Combo Bowl at 550 cal / 42g protein. See all 2 Keto builds in the app.
Portillo's Ordering Hacks That Matter
Knowing the specific builds is only part of the equation. These ordering principles will help you stay on track at Portillo's regardless of which build you choose.
Prioritize the Double Char-Broiled Chicken with Side Garden Salad (Modified for Cutting) for protein efficiency. At 430 cal with 49g protein, the protein-to-calorie ratio of 0.114 is one of the best on the Portillo's menu. Order char-broiled chicken (nudie) ×2 and a side garden salad, no dressing
The Hot Dog is your low-calorie anchor. At just 350 calories with 13g protein, this is the order when you are tight on your daily budget. No changes
Watch the add-ons. At Portillo's, sauces, dressings, and sides can quietly add 200-400 calories to an otherwise lean order. Ask for sauces on the side, skip cheese where you can, and opt for water over soda — those three habits alone can save you 300+ calories per visit.
For keto, the Chicago Combo Bowl is your go-to. Only 0g of carbs with 42g protein. No changes
What to Always Avoid at Portillo's
Not every item at Portillo's is worth the calories. These are the orders most likely to derail your macros — high in fat or carbs relative to their protein content.
Watch out for the Chicago Combo Bowl (550 cal). At 550 calories with 42g protein, this has a low protein-to-calorie ratio that makes it a poor choice when cutting. If you order it, make sure you are in a surplus and it fits your goal for the day.
Watch out for the Classic Beef Bowl (450 cal). At 450 calories with 38g protein, this has a low protein-to-calorie ratio that makes it a poor choice when cutting. If you order it, make sure you are in a surplus and it fits your goal for the day.
Default sides and combos add up fast. At Portillo's, the default sides — fries, chips, sugary drinks — can add 400-600 calories without meaningfully increasing your protein intake. Swap for a side salad, water, or nothing extra when cutting.
Portillo's vs. Five Guys for Macros
Both Portillo's and Five Guys are solid choices for macro tracking, but they have different strengths depending on your goal.
Portillo's for cutting: The Double Char-Broiled Chicken with Side Garden Salad (Modified for Cutting) at 430 cal / 49g protein is a strong deficit option. Compare that to what Five Guys offers — check the Five Guys macro hacks guide to see how they stack up side by side.
Portillo's for bulking: The Italiano Bowl at 660 cal / 49g protein is built for surplus. If you are choosing between the two chains on a bulk day, this is the Portillo's anchor build.
The bottom line: both chains have macro-friendly options, but the best choice depends on your specific goal that day. MacroMate has 11 Portillo's builds and a full Five Guys breakdown so you can compare directly. For more options across all chains, see our 15 best high-protein fast food orders.
MacroMate has 11 Portillo's builds classified by goal — Cutting, Bulking, Maintenance, Keto — each ranked by protein-to-calorie ratio with exact order instructions. Looking for options at other restaurants? Check out our 15 best high-protein fast food orders, best keto orders at every chain, and how MacroMate compares to MyFitnessPal.
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