Portillo's vs Steak 'n Shake: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Steak 'n Shake is the cheaper of the two. Of the 12 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Steak 'n Shake is cheaper on 12 of them, by an average of $5.12 per item.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
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.
Steak 'n Shake
- Most locations run half-price milkshakes in the afternoon — typically after 2:00 PM — which takes a $5.29 shake down to about $2.65.
- Ordering at the in-store kiosk rather than through delivery avoids the platform markup, which at Steak 'n Shake is steep.
- A double Steakburger combo at $10.59 includes two patties, fries and a drink — competitive with single-patty combos elsewhere.
Portillo's vs Steak 'n Shake — FAQ
Is Portillo's cheaper than Steak 'n Shake in 2026?
Steak 'n Shake is cheaper on most matched items — 12 of 12. Across the whole menu Steak 'n Shake is the lower-priced of the two, at $5.79 for a typical item against $9.29 at Portillo's.
What is the price difference between Portillo's and Steak 'n Shake?
On matched items the average difference is $5.12, or about 59% overall. Portillo's averages $14.10 across 40 priced items; Steak 'n Shake averages $5.84 across 44.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Portillo's or Steak 'n Shake?
Portillo's starts at $3.79 (Fries (regular)) and Steak 'n Shake at $2.29 (Coffee).
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.