Portillo's opens first airport location at Dallas Fort Worth International

Portillo’s this week opened its first airport location, and it’s not in Chicago.

The fast-casual chain has opened its long-awaited outlet at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, in Terminal B. It’s a milestone for the 100-unit brand, in part because it will demonstrate a small footprint with little dine-in and easy to-go ordering. Guests can order ahead, or at self-order kiosks, as well as the register. There’s a dedicated Grab & Go area, but the restaurant also has seating for up to 50 for those with the time to sit down for a meal.

On the menu will be certain iconic Portillo’s offerings, including Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, char-broiled burgers, crinkle-cut fries and, of course, slices of the chain’s famous chocolate cake.

The airport location will also offer some of the breakfast dishes that Portillo’s tested in some Chicago restaurants last year (and later killed), including the Polish Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich, and the Maple Sausage & Egg Croissant.

Those who visit on Thursday will have a chance for a free slice of chocolate cake, which the chain is offering to the first 200 guests—an opening promotion Portillo’s is calling “Cakes on a Plane.”

The airport unit is one of three Portillo’s units scheduled to open in Texas this year, which will bring the number in the state to 22. Company officials have expressed hope that Portillo’s presence in the Dallas airport will help boost the chain’s brand awareness in Texas, which has been a challenging market for the brand.