Wow. I came here the same day Chicago Mag published their best restaurants of 2018, with Bayan Ko making that list. Cuban-Filipino FOR. THE. WIN. We LOVED everything. The service was amazing, the ube sundae dessert is to DIE for. I need to come back here ASAP. read more

Wow. This place is incredible all around. The atmosphere is cool and personal, located in the perfect spot right underneath the Montrose Brown line. Roquel and her husband Lawrence are the dream team duo and have truly created an amazing place to spend an evening eating. The food is BOMB. Seriously so good. Everything on the menu was an absolute hit, we tried about half the menu and can't wait to come back for the rest. PS you have to end the night with the flan. Seriously the best I have ever had. Can't wait for the next time! read more

Overpriced for what they're serving. Menu was creative but more on the salty side. It looks like a hole in the wall joint but pretending to be upscale. Literally right under the train tracks. The price range should be more on the $20 per dish rather than your high-end $40-60 per dish. Not worth it. read more

Absolutely delicious Cuban-Filipino food! We tried the pancit, lechon, bistek, and ropa vieja and all were outstanding. We also had a special request that the staff very graciously accommodated. They were sooooo nice and made my husband's birthday very special. Highly recommend! read more

Interesting spot with flavorful food but I wasn't blown away like most of my dinner mates. First of all, I didn't enjoy eating there. Our table was almost 20 minutes late to get seated. The restaurant is too cramped and crowded. The wood bench was just uncomfortable and it was way too hot. Service was slow overall to get all help in clearing plates or glasses, but the food came out way to fast. Their were some great dishes with lots of spice for a good price. I might do delivery and see if I love it. read more

Doesn't get much better. If you want an experience of taste and personality I highly recommend this place. Do not let the small quarters intimidate you, this place exudes hospitality. We tried 5 items on the menu, all of which executed perfectly. read more

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I will have to admit that it's the great staff that pushed it to 4 stars since I can't give a 1/2. Their staff is super friendly and inviting. They were able to accommodate us even though I didn't realize we had to have a reservation and that walk-ins are typically difficult. They graciously accommodated us but let us know we'd be limited to an hour for dining. The space is kind of tight but the decor and overall aesthetics are pretty cool. I also felt the portions were small especially given the pricing. Also I had made it a point to ask our server if she felt we would be able to eat family style and I'm not sure that a totally agreed with that assessment. Maybe if your party is a not super hungry family style would work. Luckily, I was there with my 2 very young kiddos who I knew would not be able to finish the meal completely. My beef kare kare was super yummy and delicious even if it only came with 2 oxtails. We also had the lugluug noodles which the scallops were cooked great but the noodles themselves were fairly greasy. To be fair, ours did have to be remade quickly because we forgot to make sure the pork lechon flakes would be excluded. And, it just wasn't the flavor I was expecting as someone who did grow up eating Filipino food and is half filipina. My grandmother opted for the Cuban sandwich which she seemed to enjoy. I don't eat pork so I didn't try any of it. Overall I'm willing to try it again but it's not really a must return to place for me. read more

Great spot to have Filipino food, BYOB and patio dining. I had the mussels and mixed ceviche (can you tell I'm a seafood fan?). All tasty and hit the spot. Ceviche had plump scallops and calamari. Crispy plantain chips on top were a nice touch! Super attentive service, clean space - especially great during pandemic times. We'll be back! read more

I don't have anything to add, including the fact that this place is AMAZING! Go! Order the pork belly, save room for dessert and BYO. Charming and cute space, attentive staff and GREAT food. read more

To everyone who's ever sold me an eggroll...I'm sure you meant well, but you owe me an apology, because nothing I've ever had comes close the greatness that is the lumpia shanghai. The lug lug probably would be much better served fresh from the kitchen, but I wouldn't recommend it as a take-out item. read more

Currently sitting in a food coma, but so worth it. We did the family dinner delivery via Tock, and enjoyed every single item. We got the slow roasted pork shoulder with asparagus, maduros and dirty rice. We also added on the lumpia and it's all just so good. No photos because we demolished all of the food. read more

So they charge you 17 dollars for 5 shrimp. If you want to get ripped off and still be hungry this is the right place to go. So I'm Filipino and my boyfriends Cuban and they say this is a Cuban and Filipino restaurant. But how do you fuck up rice?!?!?! That shit was super hard we might as well have ate it raw. AND they still charged us for one rice. The lumpia was 8 dollars and they give you like 5...so the people are nice but they can't cook for shit. Only go here if you want overpriced appetizers. Better yet just go to Isla Pilipino on Lawrence or Senor Pan on Fullerton for better food and bigger portions. read more

Bayan Ko has all the makings of a sublime restaurant with the potential to put the neighborhood they reside in on the map! It has the vibe of a yet-to-be fully discovered Chicago gem; the small size makes it feel exclusive, but the decor is warm and inviting. The menu was creative, varied, and made your mouth water just by reading the fusion plates. Each dish came out well-composed, cooked to perfection, and very tasty! But there is room for improvement and if they can button up their service, Bayan Ko would easily move into 5-star restaurant territory. Their staff was very friendly and clearly liked each other, but I think they could use better training to avoid a few bumps that my party of 3 did on a Monday evening. When I entered, I watched as the staff chatted lively amongst themselves all the way in the back of the restaurant, nearly in the kitchen. They didn't notice us until I started actively trying to get their attention much later. If we should have gone to the back to ask for seats, maybe some signage would help. Since tables were full, they offered to call us when our seats were ready (I love this option and wish more restaurants would do this), but they failed to ask for our numbers, I had to offer it on our way out. When we were seated, we experienced very slow service, our waitress spilled wine, and when I ordered a Topo Chico, our server said they don't serve that here. I pointed at the table next to ours which was drinking Topo Chico and asked if I could have whatever they were having, and she said that's our sparkling water, and brought that over to us haha I think Bayan Ko would have been a 100% perfect experience if the staff was trained up a little more about what they have on their menu and also their speed and attentiveness to service. Looking forward to the next visit! read more

Came in with the family on October 18th. We knew coming in that this wouldn't be 100% traditional Filipino food but we assumed that some of the dishes would be. The food is absolutely AMAZING! My wife is Filipino, and my in laws are from the Philippines. They were pleased with all the dishes. This is the best Filipino/Cuban food we've ever had. We almost ordered everything on the menu. Lol Every dish was as delicious, and flavorful as the next. I've tried Cuban sandwich, Ropa vieja, in many different places, and this is by far one of the best in Chicago! The WINGS, oh man, those were so delicious! We ordered the Ceviche twice. It was just that good. I'm used to the Pancit with the proteins but this veggie style tasted just as good if not better. We also had the Pinabek, BBQ sticks, Lumpia, and the Bistec. Oh, so good! Finished off with the flan and Halo Halo sundae. I wasn't expecting the traditional shaved iced because the menu stated it was a sundae, and it didn't disappoint. A lot of the dishes taste exactly the way my mother in law ,and my wife's cooking tastes. It's a small cozy place. Very intimate. I couldn't help to look around and notice all the people with huge smiles on their faces as they enjoyed their food, and the ambiance. The Chef/ and staff we're awesome and very attentive. The Chef himself came out, and went to every table to ask how everything was but then rushed back into the kitchen to keep churning out the magic. I appreciated that gesture because the place was super busy, and he still took a little time out of his hectic day to say hello. The servers we're definitely put to the test that day. They we're all over the place. Taking care of everyone inside the restaurant, as well as the people waiting outside. We will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu. We personally loved the place! Wishing them the best of luck! We love that they are now taking reservations. I suggest you book yours because you're missing out! See you soon! read more

Was excited to see another Filipino fusion restaurant in the neighborhood. Here is my review Space. I cant give it a grade. it is what it is. a bit small. But i like the vibe and the setup. it is cozy. i don't feel claustrophobic. I think it is best not to accept reservation and just accommodate people first come first serve basis. I don't mind the shared table concept but it may be claustrophobic to some diners. Service. five star. The host and our server were gracious. We did not have reservation but it took less than 15 minutes for them to seat us considering the space issue and it was a Friday night. Food. For now i will give it 3 star. i will come again to try other dishes on the menu. we ordered the lumpia, empanada, sliders, pansit noodles, short rib "bistek", and a side of maduro. I have to admit, i am a little snob when it comes to food particularly filipino food since I am filipino. I am familiar with the food profile. I also like cuban food. i think it is a great combo. I liked the lumpia. I like the combination of the egg roll with the sweet sauce. I also enjoyed the slider. My critique however was the bun. it needed to be toasted or at least bun should be warmed or at room temp. i didn't like biting on a cold bun. The empanada was ok. i didn't like the sauce it came with. i used the lumpia sauce and it was a good pairing. I prefer the filipino style empanada. The pancit was a miss. whatever the herb was, i'm not sure if it was mint or cilantro but it was overpowering and to me it was off. the noodles were a little greasy or the texture was a bit pasty. it needed some umami. to me flavor was lacking. The short rib was ok. it's just a preference but i prefer more acidity since most of our dishes were on the greasy side. This is a classic filipino dish. not sure how it can be modified to have a cuban flare. but i prefer the dish with the onion not too caramelized and with a generous use of citrus acid. Portion and price. two star. being familiar with the cost and food preparation of these dishes. the price is on the higher side. the appetizer price was reasonable. the other courses were a bit stiff. my recommendation is to make it up with increasing the portions since the dishes are meant to be shared similar to other asian cuisine. For me, this would be a good draw for other filipinos to come. Isla would be a good example. Two filipino restaurants like laughing bird and Pecking Order did not make it because of these reasons in my humble opinion. but it is just my opinion. Price point needs to be re-examined. Overall, for now i will give it a fair grade. i will come back and try the other dishes. The menu is a short lIst. read more

Food is delicious. Place is small so definitely make a reservation. My boyfriend is a very picky eater and he wanted almost everything on the menu. read more

This is our first rodeo here. Wife Cuban, Husband Filipino. The Lumpia was off the charts. And the Cuban was the best Cuban I've ever had. It s byob. AND WE DID LOL. Food is great. Service is as well. Friendly fun place to enjoy dinner. Very small and quaint. read more

Stopped in this past Sunday for an early afternoon lunch with the family. Scored free parking right in front. Killer spot with Margie's Candies and the Montrose EL right across the street. As we walked in the empty restaurant we were greeted by Raquel, the co-owner. We got to talking later and she does have a full time server, but learned she had family in town so gave her the day off (que the awwwness, love to hear an owner taking care of their staff properly). Good thing we got there when we did, because not 15 minutes later the whole space was packed. Space is small, but Raquel comfortably sat a party of 10 who came in right after us. Never felt ignored or that we waited long for anything... you could tell she was a pro under pressure. Let's talk about the space - very cute, bright blue chairs for the 4 tops with a couple larger bench type tables, and a sweet flower mural taking up the west wall of the space. We had the kids, but my husband and I agreed that this would be a perfect date place to add to our list, especially with it being BYOB, dim lighting, and window tables good for people watching. FOOD - food is, how do I say this properly.... DELICOUS. Get the mussels. Don't you dare come here and not get those mussels. I have never had an entire bowl of mussels this size, let alone all open and cooked to perfection. The broth was so good the hubby was eating it like soup (Raquel did offer bread, but we declined since we knew we needed the tummy room). Honestly I would have left happy having just eaten those mussels and maduras (sweet plantains). My kids (3 & 4) are the chicken nugget and pizza types, but they chowed down on the croquettes (as did I) and the plain sliders (score). Cubano? Hubby used to live in Miami and he was giving me a thumbs up in between bites. He finally let me have a nibble and I involuntarily sighed... it's that good. I ordered the short ribs, and even though the chef garnished with limes, it honestly didn't need it. The seasoning was perfect. We finished everything off with an order of flan covered with blueberries (firm, sweet, yum), Margie's long forgotten. Pros: Food was delicious and reasonably priced. Easy parking, close to CTA, good for a cozy date, BYOB, friendly service. Cons: Small space limits large parties, you'll be too full for Margie's...are these really cons though? read more

Incredibly food, warm hospitality. Move over, Fat Rice, there is a new game in town. Ate here last night and was very thrilled by the familial atmosphere (down to the co-owner of the restaurant serving the food and explaining the menu), the decadent menu offerings, and the playful ambiance. Visit ASAP read more

Bayan Ko is everything good about the culinary scene in Chicago. This mom and pop place really packs a punch. Come for the mussels and stay for the ropa vieja. They even have a ropa vieja chandelier. Now that's authentic. The space is cozy yet comfortable. Reservations recommended. The attention to detail matches the deliciousness of the food and friendliness of the staff. Two most enthusiastic thumbs up. A great addition to the neighborhood. Will be back often. Strong work guys. read more

Love love love this place. Reminds me of all the great NYC restaurants tucked away in the neighborhoods. Service was friendly and fast. The husband wife duo are so kind and talented. Ropa Vieja was super tender and full of flavor. Egg rolls were beautifully crispy. Must get Ube Sunday for dessert. Filipino Cuban fusion is my new food obsession. read more

Loved the adobo chicken wings and the americano. Tasty, affordable food!! Definitely coming back and taking my hubby, the rest of my family or my friends/coworkers with me. read more

We snuck in on a snowy Saturday evening. It was great and I definitely want to go back to try other dishes that we didn't get the first time. We had lumpia and croquettes to start which were both unreal. Oxtail was super tender but the flavor of the sauce was lacking something. The mussels were fantastic! It's tiny inside, I'd guess about 30 seats, maybe even less. BYOB, too! read more

Bayan Ko - Smoked ham croquettes - get these! - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really liked the food here at Banyan Ko. The portions (Kare Kare) are small for the price. The Cuban sandwich is well-made and authentic so are the Filipino dishes. But, I've tasted better lumpia though. The service is good, nice and friendly. The ambiance is lovely. This is a very small restaurant so be prepared to wait or I recommend making a reservation especially weekends. This place is only open for dinner. I would like to return on a week night or do take out. read more

More like 4.5 if I could due to excellent service! First off, the food is delicious. I can appreciate the fusion of Cuban and Filipino food - the cuisines compliment each other and it's great to have different flavor profiles. Good: mussels, Cubano fried rice, ropa vieja. Great: country pork rib adobo. Both dessert options are yummy, perfect way to end the night. The atmosphere is dim, cute, and cozy. The service is what makes me want to come back especially. I been here twice and the owner was so nice both times. My first experience being great prompted a second visit, this time to introduce my uncle and aunts to Filipino and Cuban food who were visiting the city for the first time. They found the food delicious which made me so happy, and on top of that, we received dessert on the house as the owner overheard the news of my aunt's birthday! What a sweet and thoughtful gesture, it really made the night memorable and special! I appreciate that this restaurant has the overall package of great food, lovely service, and warm ambiance. For that, it's on my list of go-to spots. read more

I wanted to love this place. Cool vibe inside, outdoor seating, unique offerings of shared plates. BYOB. A great combination. And The wings were great and set the tone for and awesome meal, but after that everything was just ok. The biggest let down were the lug lug noodles. There were no flavor really, just oily noodles. And for $26 I expected a showstopper. read more

I was really looking forward to this place but must say the lumpia's I ordered were extremely salty and so was the short rib order. For the price of food I wouldn't say I'll be back. I also ordered the ropa veija which came with black beans some not so soft maduros (sweet plantains) and white rice. That meal was misdemeanor at best and prob the only reason for the third star. read more

My friend and I had dinner at Bayan Ko and I wouldn't change a thing. We had the lumpia, veggie noodle stir fry, chicken adobe wings, and ropa vieja. Each component was delicious, and served in a really appealing way. The space is tiny but once you sit down you don't feel crowded. And since we brought our own wine the meal was actually quite affordable! read more

New restaurant, only open one week, and everything was delish! Pancit, lumpia, croquetta ... numerous dishes and all very tasty. The service was great, the atmosphere pleasant and the prices were reasonable. Bring an appetite and 5 friends and get ready to share! BYOB. read more

My husband and I stopped in here last night. Amazing. I mean, I love ceviche, but I literally did not know if could be this good. Cubano sandwich is killer. We seriously over ate and everything was tasty. Super cute little place. Super friendly service. Come support these guys. read more

This chef duo has nailed it. We had the mussels which with broth so delicious I wanted to backstroke through it like Scrooge McDuck in his money vault. The adobo wings were spot on and we love that they use the whole wing instead of drumsticks. Pork belly = one of the best I've had in Chicago. Finally: the ube sundae, an amazingly balanced not too sweet treat to complete a lovely dinner. This place is cozy, so don't forget to make a reservation. I'm sure you'll enjoy your meal and the super friendly staff who made us feel like we were just having a dinner party with friends. Thank you for the wonderful evening! read more

I met a friend at this place for dinner and what an experience. Service is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and eased us through figuring out which dishes we should try. The salad and plantains appetizers were small and delicious followed by a much larger main course of the shredded beef and noodles and scallops dishes. Altogether the entire bill was less than $30 per person. It's a must visit if in the neighborhood place. read more

Great food and cozy atmosphere, loved the menu. The concept is great two cuisine Filipino and cuban you can try Ropa vieja along side pancit and lumpia. Delicious we recommend it read more

Good food -- tiny portions I eat there with 2 friends recently. The food was good, but the portions were vert very small and the prices were high for the portions. We planned to share and, for example, we ordered a shrimp dish for $17 and received 4 shrimp and a small bowl of rice. The pattern continued so we all left feeling hungry. Not a place I would return too until they get this message from others. read more

Had an awesome dinner for two. Started off with bbq pinchos and split the mussels and ropa vieja. The food was stellar, but the real star was the service. It's BYOB so come prepared. This is the type of place you'll be excited to show your friends. read more

We love Bayan Ko! I've eaten here so many times and we've always had a good time. I especially love bringing friends and family from out-of-town. They are always impressed with the hole-in-the wall, byob, cool decor and the great music and atmosphere. The Filipino-Cuban food is unique and delicious with options for both the less adventurous and the more adventurous. It's a particularly good place to bring gluten-free and gluten intolerant folks (not sure about for those with celiacs), but almost 90% of the menu is naturally gluten free. Instead of feeling left out, gf folks get to be part of the family style dining. Last night, we had the croquettes, the empanadas, the adobo chicken wings, the ropa vieja, the fried rice and the mussels and everything came out fast and delicious. Servings are generous and prices are reasonable. The owner is super friendly and often waiting on tables. It's always busy but the service has always been excellent even when they seem like they might be getting in the weeds. We only had to wait about 10 minutes for our reservation and the owner was very apologetic about it and I'm thinking that's it was totally normal for a popular place to wait a bit! It's location is great with easy access to the brown line Montrose stop and tons of free parking on Ravenswood. In the summer, the patio is a fun experience too. The menu changes here and there but there's always some old standbys that I know will be hits. I almost didn't want to write this review because reservations can already be tough to get sometimes! But I love this place and want them to get tons of business! read more

Place does not disappoint. Probably the best meal I've had this year . They pay attention to all the detail and can tell it's made with passion. 10/10 read more

Great food and really accommodating service. I didn't know this place was so popular and after walking in on a weekend, they let us order for take out and they were right down the street from a liquor store. From what we got, I couldn't tell what was Cuban, but the lechon kawali was fried to perfection and the perfect amount of crispy and juicy. read more

Definitely worth checking this place out. In order of what our group liked most: lechon, oxtail kare kare, luglug and pancit. Pancit wasn't bad but our Filipino friend in the group agreed it was a little bland. Their rice is good and sticky! We sat outside which was nice but beware the L and buses goes by very often (bus stop is right there). It's BYOB with a $5 corkage fee. Only complaint- service was a little spotty. Most of our dishes were not hot when they came out. But the food is really good so we'll likely be back to try more! read more

Don't sleep on the mussels. Great food great vibe. So happy we got a last minute reservation. Loved every bite !