Portillo’s hot dogs will be sold in the chain’s newest restaurant near Menards in Sycamore by November, owner Dick Portillo said.

The Portillo Restaurant Group, with 41 restaurants and 3,000 employees in the Midwest, is moving to DeKalb Avenue just north of the dividing line between DeKalb and Sycamore to meet growing demand, Portillo said.

“I have gotten lots of e-mails, and there were also supervisors who live in the area who had told us of the necessity of a store in the area,” Portillo said.

Sycamore Mayor John Swedberg said he is excited about a Portillo’s coming to the area.

“They picked a prime corner in Sycamore,” Swedberg said. “Where they will be sitting, they should be very profitable. They are going to help Menards. It’s on a nice, anchored corner. Other sites on that property will be developed as well.”

NIU’s students, many drawn from suburbs where Portillo’s has gained fame for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, helped him decide to bring a restaurant here, Portillo said.

The new store in Sycamore will employ 120 to 130 people – about the average for the company, Portillo said.

While he does not expect the DeKalb County location to be top dog in sales, Portillo said he does expect to at least fill demand and make a profit.

The first Portillo’s, known as “The Dog House” opened in 1963 on North Avenue in Villa Park.

Portillo said he invested $1,100 in a 6-by-12 foot trailer without a restroom or running water. He said to get the water he needed, he ran a 250-foot hose from an adjacent building.

By 1967, “The Dog House” was a success and was ready for a new look.

After remodeling, it was renamed “Portillo’s” and has since grown to 29 restaurants.

Portillo’s has remained a family-owned business through its history. Portillo attributes much of his success to his hard-working employees and his many satisfied customers.

The stores’ decor reflect Portillo’s love of history. From a Colorado mine shaft he visited to a Chicago street scene reminiscent of his old neighborhood, each restaurant has a distinctive atmosphere that is very personal to him, according to the company’s Web site.

Decor for the Sycamore location has not been announced.

Portillo’s is also expanding into Shorewood and Skokie and is exploring future expansion to Indiana, he said.