So, I grew up around here... and when I think back to this area, the highlights I remember are an Army surplus store, Garcia's, and a Gap. Fast forward to today... WHAT HAPPENED?! LOL! This place has had a serious glow-up, and I am here for it! I'm both excited and slightly shocked that this is now my old stomping ground. We had to stop in and give this place a try, and I'm happy to report--the coffee drinks and food did NOT disappoint! I'll let the pictures do the talking...Definitely coming back!! read more

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Cebu Chicago is in a good area but not really my favorites during my trip to Chicago. The food was okay and I definitely would love to order something different to give it a second chance. Tends to get busy on the weekend. They have a cafe section where you can order to-go! read more

Cebu Chicago - Breakfast Longganisa - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very much enjoyed it. We tried: - Lumpia - Short Ribs Tapsilog - Chicken Inasal Wrap The food was flavorful and the price reasonable. Really enjoyed the lumpia. Honestly all options were flavorful. Next time will try the bakery. read more

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Good portion size and excellent service! It was good flavors and the meat was tender and juicy! read more

Cebu Chicago - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Excellent brunch at Cebu! A great place to have our first Filipino food experience, recommended by our daughter's Filipino friends. We had coffees and daughter had a coconut brown sugar latte. Our food orders came out fairly quickly and our server was very pleasant. I had the Lechon breakfast - fried pork belly, egg, rice and a cucumber/tomato salad. Very tasty! I would be interested to try the chicken version next time. Hubs had the mango banana ube French toast, and he cleared the plate ("not too sweet; very good!"). Daughter had the longganisa breakfast - also very good, sausage with a spicy zing. The restaurant is large, bright and airy with lots of tables. We had reservations on a Saturday morning. We were early enough that we probably didn't need one, but by the time we left around 11:00 am, the place was filling up. We easily found street parking. read more

Cebu Chicago - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I like this place. It's pretty, roomy, clean, modern take on their space design, and their modern Filipino menu. I think I can forgive them for their value... it's a bit pricey but given the location, you'll understand (rent price and workforce Chicago min wage) I had their ube chicken and waffles and it was PHENOMENAL! Def must have. I will be back. read more

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Got Cebu for take out and was overall satisfied with the choice. Its a good way to quickly get a Filipino fix in around the Lincoln park area The lechon breakfast was delicious with its crispy skin and tender juicy meat. The cook on the pork really carried this dish. The rice itself was seasoned well but I wouldve liked more of the garlic to pull through The short ribs were tasty, grilled well for a nice char, but didnt really have that unique element to it that would set it apart from any other place offering short ribs. It was a bit salty and on the pricier side for what I wouldve wanted to have a Cebu spin to read more

Cebu Chicago - Breakfast lechon kawali - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came for Valentines day and it was a super cute space and very festive. We ordered a few things, including the lumpia with shrimp, ceviche, and pork belly, but the one thing we came for, which was the cebu lechon, was out by 6pm when we went. We were quite disappointed, especially since it's a regular menu item and it wasn't accounted for during the holiday. However, the rest of the food was very good, especially the marinated pork belly and lumpia with shrimp. These were so flavorful and the pork belly was so tender. The ceviche was not my favorite so I would not order it again because of the coconut cream (I'm more used to a lighter sauce). read more

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This place fucks ! Easily the best philipino food in the city! Kitchen staff fucking rocks especially Brian! Ten stars read more

Finally got to eat at Cebu for #fahm this year. First off, the place is pretty big with tons of seating. The menu has lots of options to choose from. I ended up getting the chicken adobo chilaquiles which was good. I wish they gave more chicken adobo though. Overall solid entree! Me and my friend shared the ube french toast which was delicious and I highly recommend! All their french toast flavors sounded good it was hard to choose one. It came with alot of side elements like mini tapioca balls, rice crispies, and whipped cream which really brought the dish together. Plus, i've never had tapioca with french toast before but it pairs well together in my opinion. My only critique is that it was a little too wet/soggy from the ube sauce. I wish the sauce came on the side cause I prefer my french toast more crispy. But the ube sauce was bomb - they nailed the flavor down. FYI - The prices here are steep, I ain't ganna lie to you. read more

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Ordered takeout. Large breakfast plate portions. The garlic rice was not as great as other Filipino restaurants in the area but we still enjoyed it! read more

Cebu Chicago - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Highly recommend! Delicious food, great place for brunch! Kid friendly - they have high chairs and diaper pail in the women's restroom with changing table. Lots of sweet and savory items to choose from. Limited vegetarian options but the cebu egg sandwich and sizzling tofu were delicious. Got the ube French toast for the table, definitely shareable and so moist and delicious. Has small boba and crispies for a crunch. Also ordered the tamarind fries with Ada boom sauce. Fries were nice and crispy and sauce was a creamy ketchup aioli type. Kids got mini pancakes which came with a yummy ube syrup Also enjoyed ube tiramisu latte , so pretty and delicious. read more

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First time at the new location. Cute spot, but very empty on a Thursday night. They were very attentive and the cocktails were really good. For 3 people, we split 5 items, heavy on the starters. My favorite items were the lumpia, pork sisig, and chicken skewers. The lumpia were nice and crispy and I really like the mix of shrimp and pork and the sauce. The pork sisig was realllly yummy. Sort of like a breakfast hash, but sizzling and just very tasty with all the different bite size components. I also really enjoyed the tenderness and the flavor of the chicken skewers. They were simple, yet not just your average bbq chicken skewer because of the Filipino style. I did also like the ceviche and the crab noodles more than I expected. The ceviche was tasty, but felt like it belonged in a Mediterranean restaurant to me with the cucumber, onion, tomato, yogurt flavor. The crab noodles were good and definitely had real crab, but I think if it was my main course it would have been a little overly crabby. We finished with the ube cheesecake which was so purple and sooo delicious. I'm not always the biggest dessert person, but it was really soft and tasty. read more

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We happened to pass this place, and I'm so glad we stopped in. I had the Ube Brulee French Toast - "Tres Leches Ube French Toast Topped with Caramelized Sugar Crust, Ube Pastry Cream and Chewy Tapioca Pearls. A Decadent Twist on a Beloved Filipino Street-side Classic". It was incredible. My husband had the Sizzling Tofu - "Stir Fried Tofu with Garlic, Green Onion, Carrots and Mushrooms served in a piping hot sizzling plate" with a side of Garlic Rice. Also really flavorful. We made a point to return, but sadly our second visit wasn't quite as delicious. We got drinks this time - the Fruity Matcha Cream Latte and Iced Ube Tiramisu Latte. The matcha was good, but the ube latte lacked flavor. We ordered the Mango Banana French Toast and Egg Soufflé Sandwich. The sandwich was simple and good, but this French toast wasn't as flavorful and the mango wasn't very good. They have a unique menu, and I look forward to trying more of it. read more

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We had a delicious meal at Cebu in Chicago. The open layout is a breath of fresh air, with ample space between tables, ensuring a comfortable and uncrowded dining experience. Drinks came with an unexpected detail: the orchid flower frozen inside the ice is a beautiful, surprising touch.  For an appetizer, don't overlook the Sizzling Gambas the description does not do them justice, they are a colorful spectacle & the sauce has a delightful sweet and sour flavor. You will be tempted to lick your fingers. Seafood lovers will appreciate the grilled "Adobo Glaze Salmon," which comes with Brussels sprouts and a secret glaze that truly elevates the dish. The real dessert showstopper is the Halo-Halo. It's big enough to share, but honestly, you won't want to. read more

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Cebu's location is actually pretty good. You can drive there and easily get parking. The restaurant is well spaced out and decorated well. We had the ceviche for a starter. Accompanied with shrimp crackers, this was probably the highlight of the meal. We had the burger and seafood noodles for the main course. The fries that came with the burger were really unusual and cooked really well. However the seafood noodles left much to be desired. For one, the seafood was not fresh. The mussels had a funny taste and the shrimp tasted of metal. The dish was overpowered with a mountain of noodles. I did ask for less noodles when I ordered the meal and got told everything was prepacked before cooking which should have rung alarm bells but I really wanted something fairly authentic: I should have gotten the burger. Service was fine but very sporadic and after the main dishes were served no one came to check everything was ok until we were done and they were cleaning away the plates. read more

Cebu Chicago - Seafoood noodles - poorly presented. Too much noodles and seafood wasn't fresh. - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came in with high expectations, but left unfulfilled. The food was bland and missed the mark on capturing the authentic Filipino flavors. read more

Cebu Chicago - Iberico Tocilog Flank Steak - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of my favorite restaurants I've tried in Chicago. Filipino brunch was amazing. We got the ube brûlée French toast, ube chicken and waffles, and the Branzino. All filling, all DELICIOUS. The ube brûlée French toast was my favorite, but you can't go wrong with anything here. The service was a bit slow, but they were a busy restaurant and we came near closing, so overall still a spectacular experience. The drinks were also yummy, and I loved all the different food/drink options they had! Bright restaurant with lots of natural sunlight through the windows created the perfect brunch scene. read more

Cebu Chicago - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food was stunning. Wish I could tell you exactly what I ate, but it was a buffet, and I gorged on everything. Marinated beef skewers were the most memorable thing, along with the amazing gambas. The buns with uday seasoning and cheese inside were also excellent. Lomo pork dish was likewise a winner. I could have stuck around all night. read more

This modern Filipino restaurant masterfully delivers on the promise of its culinary heritage, offering a delightful experience from breakfast through dinner.  For the appetizers, the "tuna kinilao" (ceviche) wins my heart; no strong citrus flavor here, Sashimi-grade tuna chunks are delicately marinated to allow the tuna flavor to shine along the bed of sherry tomatoes, cucumber, and onion salad, served over coconut cream; it's hard not to ask for seconds. The entrée menu features Filipino staples, but with an elevated twist. The "Rib-eye Salpicao" is a standout, boasting a rich, strong-flavored sauce that pairs perfectly with the creamy bed of mashed potatoes. And then there are the desserts, which are an adventure in themselves.  The Banana Pudding is a deconstructed masterpiece. Served in a snifter glass, each component is cooked separately, allowing you to create a unique flavor explosion with every spoonful. read more

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I haven't had much Filipino food before this and I'm now a fan! We were most impressed by the appetizers, we got the lumpia and tamarind chicken wings. We were also content with our cocktails, the adobo salmon, Cebu salad (the cucumbers were not well separated and distributed but we loved the mango/cashew combo), and ube basque cheesecake. For the seafood noodles, the noodles were a little al dente for our liking, but still enjoyed the flavors. We were going to be late for our reservation, and when I called, they were super helpful to push it back for us. When we first arrived and through ordering, the service was really good, but after our food arrived, it felt like the service dropped off and we were seldom checked on. I had to flag the waiter down both to order dessert and ask for the check, resulting in us being there for 2 hours which feels long for a 2 person dinner. It's nice to not be rushed out the door, but this felt a little excessive. The setting was nice and the people around us also seemed to be having a nice time. I did think the bench could use some cushions. We had a good time and would come back to try more of the menu. read more

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Before I start, our host and server, Aida/Ayda is outstanding and really tries to create a good experience for customers. And this is what was needed. The number of mishaps was amazingly too high to mention. And I also want to give this place another shot. I'm guessing perhaps the breakfast/brunch dishes is where Cebu Chicago shines best. Part of the experience overall is consistency. If the decor looks amazing but the service doesn't match, it really stands out. I've posted the dishes we ordered. We'll be back in about a month to see if it was just an off night or if this was all hype. read more

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Went with a group of friends for brunch! The interior of Cebu has a cute ambience with plenty of natural light. Our waitress was also friendly. Note though there is only one item on the menu that can be both gluten free and vegetarian (Cebu Summer Salad). We ordered the Cebu Summer Salad, ube waffles with chicken, Ube Brulee French Toast, and Breakfast Chicken Inasal. My favorite was the ube chicken + waffles. The sweetness of the ube paired with the perfectly breaded popcorn chicken was delicious. The two sauces it came with were also amazing (an ube drizzle and a creamier orange sauce of mayo, sriracha, and sweet chili). I think this was the standout dish for me! (Hence the 5 star rating)! The ube french toast was also very fluffy, served with chewy tapioca pearls. If you have a sweet tooth, this would be a great pick! We also got a side of hash browns since it was brunch (these were ok). The breakfast chicken inasal was average as well, but I think the ube chicken + waffles was the clear winner! The cebu summer salad came with mangos in the salad. read more

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04/29/25 - Ube Chorizo Sandwich - Excellent blend of flavors & textures. I've been craving this sandwich & I wasn't disappointed. The sandwich was an excellent blend of starting w/an ube bun w/chorizo sausage patty, egg soufflé, American cheese & garlic aioli. All I can say is this sandwich exceeded my expectations. I can see why Yelp Elite Jose C came here so many times. This sandwich was so freaking good I ordered a second one Cebu is a province of the Philippines, in the country's Central Visayas region, comprising Cebu Island read more

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First time trying CEBU chicago really got that Ube on lock! Service was great very attentive and patience is key! Ambience is calm and very clean and I'd would have to recommend the Ube Chorizo Sandwich and the Ube Brulee French Toast Amazing 10/10 would recommend until we visit again Salamat Kaayo! read more

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After talking about coming to this place for quite some time, we finally made it! The place is pretty spacious for a Filipino restaurant with modern decor. Ambiance - check. Food - we ordered the Ube chorizo sandwich, lechon kawali entree and the Ube ensaymada with popcorn chicken. The chorizo sandwich was reminiscent of Kasama in that it also had a layer of hash brown. The chorizo itself was tasteful. What went wrong was the bun - it was a bit tough and although Ube colored, there was no Ube flavor, not even a hint. The lechon kawali was a typical dish, flavorful, crunchy and garlic rice was good too. The touch of cucumber and cherry tomatoes paired well with the kawali. The surprise of the three was the Ube waffle with popcorn chicken. The waffle itself does have the Ube flavorful and the chicken with a hint of tamarind and Sciracha sauce really ramped it up. But what put it over the top was the Ube syrup and the butter! Yumm. (The waffle itself could have been a tad thicker.) Price wise- it was on the expensive side as the kawali dish was $24 although the other two items were under $20. Street parking was abundant but we did go on a weekday around 10 am. Service was great as well! Overall, we would definitely go back. read more

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The food was tasty and presented very well! We got the lumpia as a starter, and it was very crispy and hot. The ube latte looked very pretty and tasted pretty sweet. The tocino burrito was extremely flavorful, but I wish it came with some type of side. The chicken adobo chilaquiles tasted great as well, but I wish the chips were crispier. We were sad that the lechon special ran out, so we have to come back to try it! The service was decent. We sat on the side by the window, so it was a little hard to notice us. I would say the food was pretty good but not the best value for the price. The ambiance is attractive with the decor and amount of space they had. There's a bit of street parking, so it wasn't that hard to get here. read more

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My friend and I went at opening time for brunch. There's paid street parking in front of the restaurant. Inside is spacious with lots of seating. While there weren't too many people, service was very very slow. We ordered the lumpia to share. I ordered the hojicha latte and longanisa, which was served with garlic rice and side salad. The food and drink arrived cold. Everything likely would've tasted better warm. read more

Cebu Chicago - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went for lunch on a Sunday with a friend and we were able to be seated immediately. The space: big, open space, nicely decorated for sure. A little sparsely lit but lots of natural light. Service is really friendly and helpful! No issues here. THE FOOD: Breakfast Chicken Inasal: Garlic rice, salad, chicken thigh, salad I really liked the sauce that this came with. it was some sort of soy-based sauce that reminded me of Maggi. The chicken was soft and flavorful, definitely was able to taste the lime which I liked a lot! I felt like the thigh i got had too much fat on it, but I also know a lot of people like that so it's more of my own personal taste. The rice was a little salty for my liking because it seemed to have both soy sauce and garlic in it. When eaten with the other parts of the dish, it felt extra salty since everything else was also seasoned. Ube chicken + waffles: My friend's order, she mentioned there was not that much chicken on it, but she loved the flavors overall. She didn't like it with the extra cream on the side or the sauce though, she just liked it plain (also too many flavors, similar to what i thought of the chicken). The food doesn't come out hot, but more lukewarm. Not sure why this was, but it definitely would have been better hotter! Overall, we both liked our dishes despite the small pitfalls. I'd try other dishes at this place! read more

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Food was absolutely delicious!!! The skin was crispy and the lechon itself was soft and juicy-- i was very satisfied with this order! We also had the ube pandesal with cream cheese and bottomless mimosas and that was good too, but highly highly recommend the Cebu lechon if it is available! (They're only available on certain days). FYI Menu's are on QR codes and they don't accept cash. Service was a little slow but understandable since lots of customers come! Ambience has a great feel. Overall, the lechon made everything worth! read more

Cebu Chicago - Chicken and ube waffle - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service was nice and efficient! It was very elegant, simple, yet clean and sophisticated inside the restaurant and most importantly... the food and drinks were delicious! If I lived in Chicago this place would def be a regular go-to for me!! Im so glad my sisters and I found this place:) A taste of home is always nice anywhere and everywhere. read more

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I did an online pickup order from here for a breakfast sandwich during the week. I ordered their Ube Chorizo Sandwich. The staff was very friendly and my little sandwich was ready at the time promised The sandwich came with an Ube brioche bun, with Filipino style chorizo, a hash brown, egg soufflé, American cheese, and garlic aioli. When I first opened it, I thought what that hell is this. I was given the biggest takeout bag for the tiniest sandwich. My pictures also don't give this sandwich justice. The sandwich was amazing though. It seemed small but ended up very filling and everything just went perfect with each other. The sausage was very flavorful and the Ube sandwich added some additional flavor and color. Will definitely be returning. read more

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100% recommend always and forever. The rise of Filipino cuisine in Chicago has been fantastic and makes the scene very competitive - and Cebu continues to be at the top of any list. Good service, cool vibes, all around worth visiting. read more

It's a big space that's well decorated. Overall the food is good just sweet! We ordered three dishes and I'd get all of them again! Would recommend when you're in the area and craving Filipino food! read more

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Hands down one of the best breakfast I've had in a while. This place had great service, amazing and fun food all at a reasonable price. Very spacious inside with regular table seats and bar seats. Arrived on a Saturday morning and it was fully packed and lively. Not quiet at all so keep that in mind if you prefer a quieter setting. Ordered the cold brew foam with oat milk and ube foam. Pretty presentation and fun drink! Once mixed in, I couldn't really taste ube but the foam itself was sweet and delicious. For food, my friend and I shared the ube chorizo sandwich and mango banana French toast. They were both AMAZING and I highly recommend them! The sandwich looks like a purple krabby patty and is filled with so much flavor! The French toast was decadent, sweet, addicting and the fresh fruit and ube spread were the perfect touch. I can't wait to return for brunch and next time try dinner! read more

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If you haven't had Filipino food before, then this is a PSA to let you know that you are missing out and you should probably go fix that. If you're located in the Chicago area, then might I suggest that you visit Cebu. I feel like Cebu is a good place to introduce your friends to Filipino cuisine. This place is a fusion spot that is perfect for brunch. Not only this, they also have a bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. I got the barbecue chicken with garlic fried rice topped with egg. My sisters and I got lumpia as a starter. I also like their tofu sisig. This is usually a pork dish but this is a good way to enjoy Filipino food without compromising your blood pressure. The vibe and the service was amazing. Will for sure visit again when visiting Chicago (: read more

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Okay - YUM! The pork belly was 10/10 and the rice was sooo good (fellow rice snob). The breakfast sandwich was also 10/10 and the egg was SO fluffy. Not to mention the banana foam cold brew was so refreshing and tasted like real banana. Will definitely return. read more

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First time trying Filipino food and I'm officially obsessed. Cebu is a beautiful family-owned restaurant in Chicago run by four siblings from Cebu, Philippines, and you can truly feel the love and heritage in everything they serve. The space is inviting, the staff was kind and knowledgeable, and the entire experience felt like being welcomed into someone's home for dinner. I started with one of their unique Filipino-inspired cocktails -the ube painkiller and WOW. Creamy, dreamy, tropical, and totally unforgettable. For food, I ordered: * Filipino-style Chicken BBQ - tender, flavorful, and perfectly marinated. * Sizzling Gambas - juicy shrimp in a rich seafood sauce, served still sizzling (yes, heads were turning). * Crab Pancit - absolutely packed with crab meat If you've never had Filipino food before, this is where you start. Can't wait to come back and try even more! read more

The whole is greater than sum of its parts: That is why Cebu gets five stars. None of the dishes we ate blew my mind , but none of them were below superior quality. The reason for the rating is the sheer inventiveness of the menu - I want to try half of it. They all look yummy especially the fusion dishes like 3 different French toast - and a variety of takes on Ube(see menu pics) Shout out goes to: the iberico tocilog steak( thick tocino), breakfast longannisa(sweet sausage) breakfast lechon kawali(fried pork belly ). Yes I said fried pork belly, that is especially delicious after a 15K hot chocolate run, which is what we did. All served with garlic rice, eggs, pickled veggies. The calamansi strawberry french toast was fun. The chicken Inasal was fine. Cebu leans upscale in its impression not only in its space but also in its crew. The staff here is mostly if not all Filipino and they don't look or dress like they are fresh off the boat(this is meant to be a compliment- some ethnic restaurants not just Filipino have staff that act like they don't have assimilated yet- perfectly alright I'm just describing the feel of Cebu - please don't hate me). It is just a touch pricey but they are more than worth it. read more

Cebu Chicago - Menu - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went for a Sunday brunch and the place was super packed. Make sure to reserve ahead of time to secure a spot. The place was huge and the inside definitely was cute. Service was great as well, the staff were so friendly! Food wise it was okay, the presentation was great but our party felt like the flavors lacked a bit compared to other Filipino spots in the city. For the price, the portions were huge. Drinks (ube and pandan) were amazing and we'd return for those. This place is very social media friendly but again like mentioned it lacked in flavor. Our garlic rice and proteins were a bit overcooked or plain that day and the dishes felt like they were sitting for a bit before being served. Not sure if when we went it was too busy or if it's simply those trendy spots. read more

Cebu Chicago - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois