In order:

Tocino Silog plate: pork tocino, garlic rice, egg, cucumber and tomato

Gambas Al Ajillo and Grits: Garlic Shrimp and grits

Sisig Shishito Hash: pork belly sisig with garlic rice

Cubano and Fries

by jmaca90

10 Comments

  1. Da_Stallion-JCI_7

    Looks great! I can’t wait for them to open up a dinner service.

  2. I have to make a disclaimer that I have a personal connection to the owners of Bayan Ko and their new restaurant, Bayan Ko Diner. So, take my opinion with that in mind.

    That said, I enjoyed having a lovely brunch at their new spot. While of course Kasama and Uncle Mike’s loom large over the Filipino Brunch/Breakfasts, it’s nice to have another option in the mix of the Chicago Filipino food scene.

    I am Filipino (Chicago Filipino born and raised), so I had to see if their silogs were legit and “passed the test” so to speak. Tocino silog, or “topsilog,” is your base hit single for any Pinoy breakfast, and theirs passed my test (and my parents test who are incredibly picky with Filipino food… another story :D).

    The tocino was homemade and delicious. If they’re going for “mom/dad/lola” home cooked silog, they nailed it. Plus points for the sawsawan (Filipino spiced vinegar) bottle on the table.

    Having bites of everyone else’s food (as you do), I really enjoyed the Shrimp and Grits. It’s a refreshing take on the classic, and the grits were spot on.

    I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Sisig Hash, but I think that’s one Filipino staple that I just cannot have gussied up. I need it hot and sizzling and I need to have many beers. So I will disqualify myself from judgement.

    I didn’t have a bite of the Cubano, but my dad enjoyed it so take that as you will.

    In all, again while a little biased, I’m happy for Bayan Ko and the greater Chicago Filipino food scene. Having grown up in Chicago and being Filipino, it’s amazing to see how much it’s grown from the 1-2 turo turo joints to where it’s at now.

    Edit: had some leftover Cubano and it was excellent. It’s as classic as a Cubano as I’ve had.

  3. musicalgrammar

    I went to earlier this week and had the longanisa silog plate. So good!

  4. Poppadragon

    Highly recommend the ube pancakes for the next visit!

  5. Looks amazing, and normal Bayan Ko is fire so I’m going to have to check this out.

  6. We love OG Bayan Ko, so this is the push I needed to try the diner

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