Hot dog! Portillo's considering locations on Randall

Ever since I started the Roamin' Randall column three years ago, there's been one question I've heard more than any other.

Is Portillo's coming to Randall Road?

No matter where you live from South Elgin to Lake in the Hills, the question was always the same, whether it came via e-mail or phone.

"Is a Portillo's coming to Algonquin?" "I'd really love to know if we're getting a Portillo's in Carpentersville."

And all along, this Portillo's fan was wishing I could say yes.

Well, guess what? There's some hope.

Exactly when and where still is up in the air.

But Dick Portillo said he's recently been scouting out four locations to open his newest restaurant along Randall. And the location of the newest restaurant could be anywhere from Elgin to Algonquin.

"It's a possibility. We're looking at all of them. Where, depends on the numbers," Portillo said.

Good news, huh?

One of those possible locations is near the intersection of Randall and Bowes Road in Elgin.

Elgin resident Frank Gambro, who lives in Del Webb's Edgewater community, said the talk of a Portillo's at Bowes and Randall was the topic of "Saturday Morning Coffee Talk" among the residents last week.

And he was the latest to e-mail to see if it was true.

Portillo says it could be.

"I'm looking at the four places in Randall in a span of 15 to 18 miles. Bowes is just one of them," Portillo said.

Ray Moller, Elgin's director of community development, was a little evasive this week when I asked him about Portillo's coming to town. He couldn't confirm that they were looking in Elgin, but he said he loved the idea.

"That would be marvelous," Moller said. "We have no definite information, but we would love for them to do that - both our administration and the community of Elgin."

Personally, I'd love to see one in Algonquin, closest to my home in Huntley.

But you can bet wherever it goes along Randall, I'll be heading there for a famous Portillo's hot dog and their irresistible chocolate cake.

And I'm sure you'll all be right behind me.

Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036.