ICYMI: Portillo's Opening 2nd Tampa Bay Area Location

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area shoppers will soon have two new reasons to set a course for University Mall. Portillo’s and Miller’s Ale House have both signed leases with plans to open this fall.

Portillo’s, a Chicago-based hot dog chain, has leased a 9,020-square-foot space at the mall, RD Management officials say. The popular chain made a splash earlier this year when it opened its first Florida location in Brandon to record-setting crowds. The April 12 opening marked the chain’s 42nd location, according to Portillo’s.

Miller’s Ale House is a casual restaurant and bar. It will take up a 9,848-square-foot location at the mall, RD Management said. That chain currently has 75 locations across the country, including several in the Tampa Bay area. It features a diverse menu that includes gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Firm opening dates for the two new eateries have yet to be announced. The additions, however, are ones mall officials say should add nicely to the mall's atmosphere.

"University Mall serves hundreds of thousands of residents, students, and tourists in the Greater Tampa Bay region and we are continually looking for ways to improve the experience shoppers have,” Roger Hirschhorn, senior vice president of RD Management, told Patch. “Adding a variety of new businesses, such as the recently announced Portillo's and Miller's Ale House restaurants, is just one of the ways we are transforming University Mall into a one-stop-shop for shopping, dining, and entertainment."

University Mall spans approximately 1.3 million square feet and is located at 2220 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. It includes such anchor stores as Dillard’s and Macy’s and is also home to the Studio Movie Grill, a 14-screen movie theater. The movie grill offers full-service dining and lounge seating.

For more information about University Mall, visit its website.

Photo courtesy of Portillo’s