Portillo’s Planning New Braunfels Restaurant Near Morningside Trails
New Braunfels diners may not have to make the drive to Schertz much longer when a craving for Italian beef hits.
Portillo’s is planning a new restaurant at 2807 Sophie Ln, New Braunfels, TX 78130, putting the Chicago-born restaurant brand in the Creekside area and within an easier drive of Morningside Trails.
Plans call for a 4,987-square-foot restaurant with a drive-through, giving the future location both a dine-in presence and an option for people simply trying to get dinner home. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in November 2026 and continue through May 2027.
Portillo’s has built much of its reputation around food that feels unmistakably Chicago. The menu includes Chicago-style hot dogs loaded with the traditional toppings, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, crinkle-cut fries and the brand’s chocolate cake. For those who prefer to take their Italian beef obsession a little further, Portillo’s is also known for its chocolate cake shake and its beef sandwiches served dipped or with gravy.
The company’s beginnings were considerably more modest. Dick Portillo opened a small hot dog stand called The Dog House in Villa Park, Illinois, in 1963. The original operation ran out of a trailer without running water, but the business eventually grew into a restaurant brand with locations well beyond the Chicago area.
Texas has become part of that expansion. Portillo’s opened its Schertz restaurant in May 2026, giving San Antonio-area diners a nearby introduction to the brand. A New Braunfels location would bring that menu farther up the I-35 corridor and closer to families in Morningside Trails who already head toward Creekside for shopping, dinner and everyday errands.
The May 2027 date in the project schedule should not be mistaken for opening day. It represents the anticipated end of construction, and restaurants typically have additional work to complete before welcoming customers. Portillo’s has not announced an official opening date for the New Braunfels restaurant, but the Sophie Lane plans give local diners a much more concrete reason to keep watching.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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