“2-0, 2-0, you are my hero,” shouted one worker behind a counter of hot dog hungry customers.

“1-8, 1-8, you are great,” shouted another.

Within the first four hours of business Tuesday, the grand opening of Portillo’s Hot Dogs served almost 1,300 people.

Negotiations for the restaurant began eight months ago, and it took about four-and-a -half months to build, said Dick Portillo, president, owner and founder of the Portillo Restaurant Group. He founded the restaurant group in 1963 in a trailer with no running water.

“Finding the property wasn’t very easy,” Portillo said. “We wanted to be closer to the university, but this turned out to be a good spot.”

Portillo received many e-mails from people who lived in the DeKalb/Sycamore area and decided to pursue a spot for his restaurant in the community, he said.

“I just hope that I maintain the standards that it took so long for my staff to create and that I won’t be a disappointment to the people of this community,” Portillo said.

Portillo’s new Sycamore location, 1780 DeKalb Ave., employs 113 people and has a ‘30s Prohibition theme.

Portillo said he believes his restaurant brings a uniqueness to any area.

“It’s different than a McDonalds or Burger King or any cookie cutter-shaped chain,” he said.

Jim and Lucy Wuchte of DeKalb were excited about the Portillo’s arrival in the area.

“People have been waiting eagerly and asking when the restaurant will open,” Jim said. “It’ll be a little bit of home for students – some people have been raised on Portillo’s.”