Bro

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The business is good shape, but the stock was heavily overpriced when it was above $50

As the official fast food app reviewer of CFMB, the app gets you jack shit for deals. No coupons, no points, no check-in, no nothing. Maybe you get a free shake on your birthday or something. They also make your food just as slowly, if not slower, when you order on the app. WOULD NOT RECCOMEND.

Had average beef that was better than good. It's not even good anymore. I thought the drive thur ran well. It's horrible now and they get stuff wrong - that never happened.

The PE real estate thing...is that what happened to The Lob (Red Lobster)?

Lots of restaurant closing announcements lately and the Crackle Barrel thing...I can't tell if it's normal change, leadership not getting it, or just not financially workable.

It has been decades since I have been to Portillos. I have a friend who recently started at Buona so going to meet him there next week.

Although I have never been there either, my son swears by Mr. Beef.

And yes, the restaurant business is especially tough these days. Inflation, wages, competition for staff, regulatory/anti-business environment (especially in Illinois).

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

Just opened a Buona here just over the border in WI. Not sure how it is doing and I have not been there. They share space with something called Rainbow Cone. Occasionally where I work invites them in to give the building free ice cream but I have missed both opportunities to try it. The restaurant is on the opposite side of town from me so just not very convenient I guess.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

i dont have the app anymore, but i dont believe it offered discounts. it did accept your order and give you a time the order would be ready. so you would get to the restaurant and wait 10-15 more minutes

My last couple of trips into the home town my family has provided Buona. Liked it quite a bit but that is perhaps skewed by the fact I can only get proper beefs a coupe times a year.

We have run through them all in the last nearly 19 years from the true Chicago places to Pops, Portillos, Tommys, some independents. Buona currently works for me.

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Elections have consequences.

Buona is trash. Complain about Portillos all you want, but Buona Italian beef is absolute dogshit.

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It's been a while since I've tried Buona, but in the past I found that--like Al's--the quality of the sandwiches varied quite a bit by location. The Buona spots in Lombard and the Mecca used to be quite good, while the Bloomingdale and Oak Park outposts were somewhat dismal.

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I do suppose locations can vary. The vast majority of my tastings are in the Palos and Crystal Lake area.

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Elections have consequences.

There's a bouna right by my house. The kids will split a beef, but I like the chicken Cesar salad or the grilled chicken sandwiches. They did recently get rid of the daily deals

the real Mr. Beef in Homer Glen is the best. people don't seem to like the guy much tho bc he can be surly and he won't give you juice on the side.

Yeah Pops is pretty good . I’m pretty much a chalk player with the beefs around the area. Al’s , Johnnies, Pops, Portillios are the go to’s . Not a fan of Buona.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Pops can also vary by location. The one on 104th & Kedzie is the best.

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Portillo's is acceptable. I'd think their beef is great if I lived outside of the chicago area. Buona is the similar but a little worse. One of my friends from the river forest area used to swear by it. I don't know how it ever got footing with Johnnies nearby.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

That reminds me of another thing that pissed me off. A while back, I was in line and saw a chalk board that stated “Today’s Special: Italian Beef/Sausage Combo”. I asked the cashier what the special (price) was and they said, “it’s the regular price.. we’re just promoting it ‘

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much like product on grocery store end caps that isn't on sale

Which is a shame because the original Buona on Harlem was pretty good back in the 80s before they started franchising.

I haven't gotten beef or fries for myself at Portillo's for a couple of years. There was one a few blocks from where my dad lived in his final years, so I would go there a couple of times a month and pick up whatever he wanted and a jumbo hot dog for myself. Now if I want a beef sandwich while I am visiting Chicago, I go to the original Johnnies as it's not far from the cemetery.

Portillo's is likely going to go the way of Five Guys when they expanded beyond northern Virginia. Lots of stores, outrageous prices, mediocre food.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

But you can always reheat the fries

Fuck off... That was during the pandemic when my primary care physician didn't want me going out very much. Im tired of you and Frank bringing it up over and over again. Again, fuck off.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Not a fan of Buona.

we are spoiled here. my friend from high school has lived in portland for about 2 decades now and he longs for portillos when he comes to visit. telling him it sucks now means nothing. compared to what they have out there, it's heaven.

same with pizza places.

This. I also haven't detected a decrease in quality.

I eat the philly cheesesteak from Jersey Mike's and am happy to have it (yes, I know Monti's is the real deal and not a huge hike).

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I reheat fries in the over at 350 for 10 minutes. My family thinks its strange but I think the resurrect fairly well and I'd rather have it then potato chips.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

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Chet's tired of your reheated jokes!

You listened to your doctor doucebag

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.