In honor of Italian Beef Week, which takes place May 20–26, Lou Malnati’s is bringing back its famous Portillo’s x Lou Malnati’s Italian Beef Deep Dish pizza. The limited-time offer is a collaboration between two of Chicago’s most legendary restaurant brands that was first launched in 2022.

The brands put out a press release classifying the item’s annual release a “threepeat,” a reference to the two occasions on which the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls won three straight championships (1991-1993 and 1996-1998). This will be the third straight year the dish will be released, and it’s safe to say it will be hotly anticipated across Chicago.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Portillo’s for the third year in a row with our Italian Beef Deep Dish Pizza,” says Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s. “Nothing says Chicago more than pairing our legendary deep dish recipe and ingredients with Portillo’s slow-roasted Italian beef—just in time for Italian Beef Week celebrations, whether in Chicago or around the country.”

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“Portillo’s Italian Beef is a favorite for many of our incredible guests and we understand why,” added Nick Scarpino, Portillo’s chief marketing officer. “With flavorful beef that has been slow roasted for four hours, mouthwatering gravy and the option to enjoy it with sweet or hot peppers, our Italian Beef sandwiches are quintessential Windy City cuisine. And, as we gear up for Italian Beef Week, we are thrilled to reunite with our friends at Lou Malnati’s to give fans nationwide another delicious way to savor our Chicago-style Italian Beef.”

The item will once again be offered with Lou Malnati’s signature buttery crust, ripened plum tomatoes, Wisconsin cheese, topped with Portillo’s slow-roasted, thin-sliced beef. Customers will get to choose between pairing that combination with either Portillo’s homemade sweet peppers or hot giardiniera.

The collaboration will once again be available for nationwide shipping through Lou Malnati’s Tastes of Chicago in packs of two, four or six, and in combination with other classic Portillo’s offerings, like Italian Beef Sandwiches and Chicago-Style Dogs. Fans can also enter to win a $300 Tastes of Chicago gift card from May 14-19.

Food & Ingredients