Chef Marlene Portillo Adds Flavor to Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill

By: Cindy G. Castillo

A graduate from the Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale, Execute Chef Marlene Portillo is bringing her signature style to Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill.

Born in Tucson, Ariz., Portillo has been a professional in the food industry for now 12 years, and part of the Half Moon team for four.                

“I always knew I wanted to be in the industry,” she said.

Her typical days involve orders, talking to customers, and being always on the move. With every day that goes by, different customers visit Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill but that’s what makes Portillo’s career that much more exciting.

“It takes that one customer that comes back and says how amazing the food was and that they would love to come back,” she said.

Portillo’s signature style consists of incorporating spices and her Mexican heritage into her everyday recipes. She is a lover of Italian food and blends a touch of spice into pasta sauces.

“It’s in my blood, I mean, my grandma always was one of the best cooks I know.”

In her future, she sees a bright idea coming to life: being owner of her very own food truck. The idea of being able to change menus everyday and travel to different locations is alluring to her.

As chef of Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill, she recommends the restaurant to those who are looking for something a little different from your typical sports bar.

The menu is always changing offering its visitors a great variety of options. The space is open with the perfect environment for sports lovers.

Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill is not your ordinary Sports Bar. With a culinary trained Chef like Marlene Portillo, your experience at this award-winning eatery is sure to leave you coming back.

“It’s all about that satisfaction you get when someone likes what you do.”

         Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill

            2121 E Highland Ave
            Phoenix, AZ
            (602) 977-2700