April is Filipino Food Month, a cuisine that has been having a moment in Chicago. Ravenswood resident Mike Lazaro grew up eating Filipino food at home and at family parties in Chicagoland. Making his way through the city’s Filipino food scene, Lazaro shares some of his favorite spots. And Hey Chicago added a few of our favs, too.
The award-winning fine dining spot in Ukrainian Village is well worth the wait: Tourists and locals alike are willing to wait hours for pastries and book the restaurant’s 13-course dinner menu 45 days in advance.
This North Center brick-and-mortar spot is another popular Filipino spot with its affordable rotating small plates. Chicagoans first got to know Boonie’s when it was a food stall at Revival Food Hall downtown.
Another Ukrainian Village eatery worth a visit? Uncle Mike’s has been feeding Chicagoans Filipino breakfasts for more than 30 years. Only open during the day, the restaurant feels like you’re having brunch at home.
Head to North Mayfair to shop at the Filipino American grocery store chain, and enjoy the cafeteria! There is a Jollibee, fast food spot, inside.
Known for lechon pork belly, Pig & Fire offers a rotating pop-up menu for pickup at the Hatchery in Garfield Park.
The Pilsen pub serves Filipino American fare. Monday nights are half off lumpia while you shoot darts!
Drooling over the Kamayan feast at Sunda? Same. (Courtesy of Sunda New Asian)
Want to go somewhere a little fancy? Diners can enjoy Filipino food year-round at the River North and Fulton Market spots including lumpia, adobo pork belly, and a Kamayan feast.
Will Bayan Ko be the next Filipino-inspired restaurant in Chicago to pop off? Lazaro thinks so: The Filipino Cuban fusion spot in Ravenswood started serving a five-course tasting menu this year and is set to open a diner this month.
Wash down a fried Spam breakfast slider with an ube latte at this new all-day cafe in West Town. Plus, there might be more Manos in the future — the owners want the cafe to become a national chain.
The Lakeview bakery includes Filipino flavors in its desserts — serving ube-flavored cookies and buko pandan cake slices.
