Denny's vs Portillo's: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Portillo's is the cheaper of the two. Of the 5 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Portillo's is cheaper on 3 of them, by an average of $3.08 per item.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Denny's
- The $5.99 Everyday Value Slam is the cheapest sit-down breakfast at any national chain — two pancakes, an egg and meat.
- Build Your Own Grand Slam at $12.49 gives four items; ordering the same four à la carte typically costs $4 to $6 more.
- The 55+ menu takes roughly $2 to $3 off the standard versions of the same dishes for guests 55 and older.
Portillo's
- Ordering the beef dipped, wet or dry costs nothing extra — the preparation is free, so ask for what you actually want.
- Italian Beef family packs at $59.99 feed four to six for roughly the price of five individual sandwiches with sides.
- Portillo's ships nationwide, so the chocolate cake and Italian beef kits are available outside the chain's footprint.
Denny's vs Portillo's — FAQ
Is Denny's cheaper than Portillo's in 2026?
Portillo's is cheaper on most matched items — 3 of 5. Across the whole menu Portillo's is the lower-priced of the two, at $9.29 for a typical item against $13.29 at Denny's.
What is the price difference between Denny's and Portillo's?
On matched items the average difference is $3.08, or about 13% overall. Denny's averages $12.28 across 41 priced items; Portillo's averages $14.10 across 40.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Denny's or Portillo's?
Denny's starts at $3.49 (Coffee (bottomless)) and Portillo's at $3.79 (Fries (regular)).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.