A Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich is a popular menu item at the famous Chicago-based restaurant chain Portillo’s. The sandwich features thin slices of seasoned roast beef soaked in au jus and served on a long Italian roll. Toppings like sweet peppers, hot giardiniera, and mozzarella cheese make this sandwich a mouthwatering combination of flavors. However, with its generous portion size packed with meat, bread, and toppings, many diners wonder just how many calories are contained in Portillo’s signature Italian Beef sandwich.
This article will provide a detailed nutritional breakdown of the different components that make up a Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich. It will calculate total calorie counts for both a regular-sized and jumbo sandwich. Factors like protein, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium will also be examined. For those watching their waistlines or calorie intake, this guide on the calorie count of a Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich will be an indispensable resource.
Calories in the Main Ingredients
To determine the total calorie count, we first need to look at the main ingredients that make up a Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich. These core components and their calorie amounts are:
| Ingredient | Calories |
|---|---|
| Italian Bread (6 inches) | 240 calories |
| Beef, Roast, Eye of Round (4 oz) | 220 calories |
| Beef Au Jus (1 oz) | 20 calories |
– Italian Bread – The foundation of the sandwich starts with an Italian bread roll specifically baked for Portillo’s. A regular 6-inch bread roll contains around 240 calories. This accounts for a significant portion of calories in the sandwich.
– Roast Beef – Thinly sliced top round roast beef is the star ingredient. A regular sandwich contains around 4 ounces of meat, equating to 220 calories.
– Au Jus – The signature au jus sauce is made from beef drippings and adds plenty of moisture and flavor. Just 1 fluid ounce of the juice contributes about 20 calories.
Additional Ingredients
Beyond the main ingredients listed above, customizable toppings will also increase the calorie count of a Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich. Here are the approximate calories for typical extras:
– Sweet Peppers – 10 calories (1 oz)
– Hot Giardiniera – 15 calories (1 oz)
– Mozzarella Cheese – 80 calories (1 oz)
– Provolone Cheese – 80 calories (1 oz)
So ordering an Italian Beef sandwich “wet” with au jus plus “sweet” and “hot” peppers can add over 100 calories in additional toppings alone. Omitting these extras is an easy way to reduce calories if needed.
Calories in a Regular Italian Beef Sandwich
With the main ingredients and customizable toppings broken down, we can now calculate the total calories in a regular Italian Beef sandwich from Portillo’s:
– Italian Bread (6 inches) – 240 calories
– Roast Beef (4 oz) – 220 calories
– Au Jus (1 oz) – 20 calories
**Total Calories in Regular Portillo’s Italian Beef Sandwich = 480 calories**
This tally represents a standard Italian Beef sandwich ordered “dry” with just the bread, beef, and juice. Adding options like cheese or peppers increases the calories further:
– With sweet peppers (+10 calories) = 490 calories
– With hot giardiniera (+15 calories) = 495 calories
– With mozzarella cheese (+80 calories) = 560 calories
So the total calories in a regular-size Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich ranges from 480 to 560 calories, depending on additional toppings.
Calories in a Jumbo Italian Beef Sandwich
Portillo’s also offers a bigger, jumbo-sized Italian Beef sandwich. This contains more beef and a larger 10-inch Italian bread roll for extra hungry diners. Here’s the calorie count breakout for jumbo sandwich ingredients:
| Ingredient | Calories |
|---|---|
| Italian Bread (10 inches) | 400 calories |
| Beef, Roast, Eye of Round (6 oz) | 330 calories |
| Beef Au Jus (1 oz) | 20 calories |
– Italian Bread – A 10-inch roll has 400 calories, about 160 more than the regular.
– Roast Beef – 6 ounces of meat is 330 calories, 110 calories more.
Factoring in the jumbo portions of bread and beef, here is the total calorie count for a jumbo Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich:
– Italian Bread (10 inches) – 400 calories
– Roast Beef (6 oz) – 330 calories
– Au Jus (1 oz) – 20 calories
**Total Calories in Jumbo Portillo’s Italian Beef Sandwich = 750 calories**
That’s 270 more calories than the regular size, nearly doubling the calorie content. With additional toppings, a jumbo Italian Beef sandwich ranges from 760 to 910 calories.
Nutrition Facts for Portillo’s Italian Beef
Beyond just calories, here is the full nutritional data on a regular Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich:
| Nutrition Facts | Regular Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 |
| Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Protein | 32g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Sodium | 870mg |
Key details include:
– Carbs – Most of the 36g total carbs come from the Italian bread.
– Protein – With 32g of protein, the roast beef provides plenty of muscle-building amino acids.
– Fat – 18g of fat comes largely from the meat and bread in equal measure.
– Sodium – At 870mg, the sandwich supplies over a third of the daily 2300mg limit.
So while the 480 calories is a significant chunk of a 2000 calorie diet, the protein, carbs, and fat are not outrageous compared to some fast food options. But the high sodium level is noteworthy for those monitoring salt intake.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Portillo’s Italian Beef
For customers looking to cut back on calories for their Italian Beef sandwich order at Portillo’s, here are some tips:
– Order a regular-size sandwich instead of a jumbo
– Skip cheese and vegetable toppings
– Ask for extra au jus instead of oils or butter on the bread
– Split the sandwich in half and share or save the other serving for later
– Opt for a side salad instead of fries or chips
– Choose a bottle of water or diet soda instead of sugary soft drinks
Implementing some of these simple substitutions can save well over 200 calories off a single Portillo’s Italian Beef meal. Portion control is also key – even the regular sandwich provides nearly a quarter of a day’s calories.
Conclusion
A Portillo’s Italian Beef sandwich packs some serious calories, especially when ordered jumbo-sized with extra cheese and toppings. A standard regular sandwich contains about 480 calories, while a hungry diner can consume 750-900 calories in a jumbo version. But the sandwich also provides ample protein and nutrition from high-quality roast beef and artisan bread. Monitoring portion size, avoiding heavy toppings, splitting the sandwich, or taking home leftovers are all great ways to enjoy the iconic taste of Portillo’s Italian Beef while limiting calorie intake. So visit Portillo’s and indulge in a Chicago classic, but be mindful of the calorie count if watching your diet!