Andy Montoya
While there is no evidence that Portillo's got rid of cheese sauce altogether, there have been reports of changes to the menu items and quality since the company was sold to a private equity firm in 2021. Some customers have noticed a change in the cheese sauce's taste and consistency, speculating that the company might be using a different manufacturer for its mix. While some describe the new sauce as paler and more American cheese-flavored, others claim it is now just a melted slice of American cheese in a cup. One former employee confirmed that Portillo's uses a processed cheese sauce from a food distributor or manufacturer, which may explain the perceived decline in quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Change in cheese sauce | Paler, more American cheese flavored, less like cheddar |
| Reason for change | Sold to a private equity firm in 2021, which led to changes in menu items and quality |
| Supplier of cheese sauce | Award Cuisine County Line Cheddar Cheese Sauce |
| Other possible suppliers | Gehls, Merkt's Cheddar |
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What You'll Learn
- Portillo's cheese sauce is supplied by a food distributor or manufacturer
- The cheese sauce is a processed cheese sauce
- The cheese sauce recipe may have changed due to different manufacturers
- The cheese sauce is similar to Award Cuisine County Line Cheddar Cheese Sauce
- The cheese sauce is no longer offered in some locations
Portillo's cheese sauce is supplied by a food distributor or manufacturer
While it is unclear whether or not Portillos got rid of their cheese sauce, it is evident that the cheese sauce is sourced externally. According to a former employee, the cheese sauce used by Portillo's is an Award Cuisine cheddar cheese sauce, which can be found on the website conagrafoodservice.com. This suggests that the cheese sauce is supplied by Conagra Foodservice, a food manufacturer and distributor.
Some customers speculate that Portillo's may have switched to a different manufacturer, as the cheese sauce's taste seems to have changed over time. One customer compared the current cheese sauce to a "plasticky, shiny, neon orange flavorless goo," while others describe it as tasting like cheddar. It is possible that Portillo's changed suppliers to ensure consistent supply and standardized taste across all their locations nationwide.
Portillo's has been expanding across the United States, which may have influenced their decision to source ingredients from a larger, more widely available distributor. This shift could explain the perceived changes in the quality and taste of the cheese sauce.
While the exact supplier or manufacturer of the cheese sauce may not be publicly known, it is evident that Portillo's sources this ingredient externally rather than producing it in-house. The change in taste observed by customers could be attributed to a shift in suppliers or modifications in the supplier's recipe.
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The cheese sauce is a processed cheese sauce
While there is no confirmation that Portillo's got rid of its cheese sauce, there have been speculations about changes in the cheese sauce recipe. Some customers have noticed differences in the taste and quality of the cheese sauce, with reports of it being "paler and more American cheese-flavored, not cheddar."
The cheese sauce used by Portillo's is a processed cheese sauce. It is described as having a distinct flavor and a smooth, melty, and dunkable consistency. One customer compared it to Velveeta, noting that it had the perfect consistency. However, another customer described it as "plasticky, shiny, neon orange flavorless goo."
Portillo's does not make the cheese sauce in-house. Instead, they source it from a food distributor or manufacturer. This is a common practice for many of their ingredients as they aim for consistency across their expanding nationwide locations. As a result, they may switch suppliers to ensure that the ingredients are widely available and uniform across all their restaurants.
Some people have tried to recreate the cheese sauce at home or find similar alternatives in grocery stores. One person compared it to Award Cuisine County Line Cheddar Cheese Sauce, while another mentioned Gehls, a brand with several types of cheese sauces, although neither matched the exact taste of Portillo's cheese sauce.
While the exact recipe for Portillo's cheese sauce remains a closely guarded secret, it is believed to be a processed cheddar cheese sauce, and changes in its taste and consistency have been a topic of discussion among customers.
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The cheese sauce recipe may have changed due to different manufacturers
Portillo's cheese sauce is a processed cheese sauce that the company does not make in-house. Instead, they source it from a food distributor or directly from a manufacturer. As a result of their expansion, they may have started using a different manufacturer for their cheese sauce, which could explain why some customers have noticed a change in quality.
One Reddit user suggested that the recipe may have changed due to the use of a different manufacturer, and another user confirmed that the sauce tasted different after the company was sold to a private equity firm in 2021. The same user also mentioned that the sauce now tastes more like American cheese than cheddar.
Some people have tried to identify the brand of cheese sauce used by Portillo's. One former employee claimed that they used Award Cuisine County Line Cheddar Cheese Sauce, while another user suggested that it might be Gehls, specifically the aged cheddar sauce variety. However, when one user bought Gehls to test this theory, they found that it did not taste the same as Portillo's cheese sauce.
Portillo's has not publicly announced any changes to their cheese sauce recipe, but the speculation among customers suggests that the taste and quality may have changed due to different manufacturers or other factors related to the company's expansion and change in ownership.
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The cheese sauce is similar to Award Cuisine County Line Cheddar Cheese Sauce
There has been much speculation about the cheese sauce used by Portillo's, with some customers noting changes in taste and quality over the years. It seems that the cheese sauce used by Portillo's is similar to Award Cuisine County Line Cheddar Cheese Sauce, which can be purchased online. One source even claims that a server at Portillo's confirmed this.
However, it is important to note that Portillo's does not make its cheese sauce from scratch. Instead, it is believed that they obtain it from a food distributor or manufacturer, which may explain the reported inconsistencies in taste and quality over time. Some customers have noticed that the cheese sauce has become paler and more American cheese-like, rather than cheddar-like, which may be due to Portillo's expanding nationwide and relying on different suppliers.
One customer compared the cheese sauce to Velveeta, noting that while it had a similar consistency, there was something slightly better about the cheese sauce from Portillo's. Another customer speculated that the recipe might have been changed, as it tasted different from what they were used to.
While the exact brand and recipe for Portillo's cheese sauce remain somewhat of a mystery, with some customers even attempting to recreate it at home, it is clear that the sauce has a distinct flavor that keeps customers coming back for more.
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The cheese sauce is no longer offered in some locations
While Portillo's is known for its cheese sauce, it seems that the offering is no longer available in some locations. This has sparked discussions among customers, with some speculating about the reasons behind the change.
One Reddit user noticed a change in the cheese sauce's quality, attributing it to Portillo's expansion nationwide. As the restaurant chain expands, it needs to ensure consistent supply across all states, which may lead to changes in ingredients and suppliers. This can result in variations in taste and quality from the original recipe.
Some customers have noticed a difference in the cheese sauce's taste and consistency. One customer described it as "paler and more American cheese flavored, not cheddar." Another customer expressed disappointment, describing the new sauce as "plasticky, shiny, neon orange flavorless goo." These changes have led to a mixed response, with some loyal customers noticing a decline in quality.
Portillo's has a dedicated fan base, and its cheese sauce has been described as "melty, smooth, and perfectly dunkable." The sauce has a distinct flavor and consistency that has won over many fans. However, with reported changes to the menu and quality, some customers are unsure if the sauce they know and love will remain the same.
While the cheese sauce is still available in select locations, such as the suburbs as mentioned by one user, it seems that its availability is becoming more limited. Customers are encouraged to call ahead or inquire about the sauce's availability at their local Portillo's to avoid disappointment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but there have been reports of inconsistencies in the quality of cheese sauce served at Portillo's. Some customers have noticed changes in the colour and taste of the cheese sauce, with some claiming it now tastes like American cheese rather than cheddar.
Portillo's was sold off to a private equity firm in 2021, after which there were reported changes to the menu items and quality. This may have resulted in changes to the cheese sauce recipe or supplier.
The cheese sauce at Portillo's tastes like cheddar cheese, although some customers have described it as having a plasticky, shiny, neon orange, flavourless goo consistency. It is believed that Portillo's uses a processed cheese sauce from a food distributor or manufacturer, similar to Award Cuisine County Line Cheddar Cheese Sauce or Gehls Aged Cheddar Sauce.
It doesn't appear that Portillo's cheese sauce is available for purchase in bulk online. However, some people have suggested that a similar taste can be achieved with a traditional queso recipe using orange cheddar cheese or Merkt's Cheddar Cheese.
