Designer Food, Pinoy Inspired Earlier this month with my mom, my Pinoy heart was incredibly satisfied to find steamed rice in a TWO Star Michelin tasting menu! A chance to sample Kasama, was a very good reason to revisit Chicago. The last time I was here, I went to Alinea, a formerly THREE Star Michelin restaurant (demoted to TWO). Never have I ever thought back then that I will come back to have Michelin-starred Philippine flavors in this city. Kasama offers a 13-course tasting menu, the only TWO Star Michelin restaurant that serves Phil-inspired creative dishes in the world. It was the first Filipino restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star, &one of only 4 Chicago restaurants with TWO stars out of the over 7.5 K licensed restaurants. To put that in perspective, there are over 18k restaurants in NYC's 5 boros. Only 52 have ONE Star,15 have TWO and 5 with THREE Michelin Stars, none served Phil-inspired food. In recently Michelin mapped Manila, only one has TWO Star. It doesn't cook Phil-inspired food despite its location. kasama named each creative course after a Philippine dish. Plates were called "kinilaw", "pulutan","adobo," (menu in picture) that was lovingly nostalgic of the dish it referenced. It's the essence, the unique flavors of each dish that's evoked, reminding me of that hearty dish. I recognize sinigang, but it's not sinigang. As each dish is presented, its inspiration and origin is explained. For a Filipino diner, it's warmly familiar; For those whose cultural experience is different, it's an excellent intro to the unique Phil flavors presented artfully in a form meant for haute diners. I am super proud! We met Chef Tim and wife, Korean-American pastry Chef Gwen. The chef de cuisine is the cutesie Fil-Am Chef Scott Pamatmat (watch out, foodies and ladies! He will be next in line). Thank you, Angelo &Molly. P.S. Some Pinoys say, "My friend said it wasn't worth it. The line was too long." then gives out that all-knowing disgusted face& disdain w/out even having tried the ACTUAL tasting menu. The critical acclaim isn't for bfast that probably pays for the rent. The stars are for the tasting menu for dinner. #curious_eater #kasama read more

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Kasama was the only must visit spot on my most recent trip to Chicago. After checking in to my hotel on Sunday morning, I immediately made my way to this spot. You can get to Kasama using CTA, however, we opted to call a Lyft to get us there quicker. When we arrived there was a decent line. We asked a few people who were dinning outside if it was worth the wait. Everyone we asked said the food was good and worth the wait. One suggestion I have , and I wish I knew is that you can order online. I would suggest logging on and placing your order first thing in the morning. It appears that online orders still require some time, but at least you don't have to wait in the line when you arrive. We joined the line and it took us about an hour to get to the counter to order. Despite how busy this place is, the staff maintained pleasant attitudes, which I appreciate! Items ordered: longanisa, egg, and cheese sandwich hashbrown, egg, and cheese on ho yam coffee drink (Ube) reggie flores( think Arnold Palmer) Black Sesame Coconut Macaroon Ube and Huckleberry Basque Cake Total with tip: $72! After placing an order we were given a number and instructed to sit at a specific table. Our drinks arrived first, then the pasties and the last item to arrive were the egg sandwiches. The ube coffee drink was good. There was not a strong Ube taste. I did not try the Reggie Flores, but my friend said it was ok. Now for the pastries, I really enjoy the basque cake. It was not that sweet and had an interesting consistency, it was different for me, but something I would order again. I also did enjoy the macaron. I would say it is very coconut forward. As for the main event- the egg sandwich- it was good, but not great. I have had better egg sandwich! My friend did say that the meat makes the sandwich much better! I am not a red meat eater so I had to stick with the egg cheese and hash brown version, Overall, I would say that I would place an order in advance and try other items like the chicken adobe. However, If anyone asked me if it is worth the hour wait I would have to say no. read more

I've heard so much about Kasama. I'm glad I finally got to try. I can say that the longanisa breakfast sandwich was amazing, especially with the added hash brown! The ube huckleberry basque cake was also very good. However, I wish there was more ube flavor. The service was super friendly, and the atmosphere inside was very nice. I don't think I would wait more than 25 minutes, but I would definitely go back again or order ahead! read more

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Their longanisa breakfast sandwich is just WOW and you gotta add the hash brown cause it adds a nice crunchy texture and elevates the sandwich so well. I ordered online for pickup at 8:45am on a Saturday, which I highly recommend if you don't have time to wait in line (which is super long LOL), and it was ready in 40mins. We picked up our order 30mins late, but the sandwich was still warm and delicious. The restaurant was packed inside, but staff were super friendly and attentive. We also tried the black truffle croissant and ube & huckleberry basque cake; both were good and unique. We would come back to try other dishes when we're back in Chi. read more

Kasama - Longanisa breakfast sandwich with added hash brown - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shoutout to The Bear for exposing this place. Well deserved! One of the best breakfast sandwiches I've had. I don't know how they got the egg to be so silky and soft. AND SQUARE. It reminded me of korean steamed egg soufflé. Bread was so soft and pillowy. Prob could've done without the cheese. It didn't really add anything for me. The longanisa sausage added a perfect chew factor against all the softness. It was a little salty for me but the egg helped balance it out. We ordered pick up and highly recommend doing that because the line for dine in was super long. Order right when online orders starts we were three minutes late and the queue was already at #77 One day I will be back for the black truffle croissant and salmon danish. read more

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I was excited to go to Kasama as I heard great things. They were extremely busy but even so, the workers were so friendly and attentive. We bought a Manila Fog and Iced Black Sesame Latte. The flavour profiles were spot on, and didn't overpower the coffee's nuttiness. I also had the chance to try their Kafe-Mansi which was surprisingly good. The citrus profile of the calamansi made the drink so refreshing. I would love to try their food when I get the chance to visit again. read more

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While visiting Chicago, we decided to check out this Michelin-star restaurant. We arrived around 10:00 a.m., which was admittedly a bit late on our part, and there was already a long line. After waiting about 30 minutes without much movement, we decided to place an online order instead and return later. Our order was ready between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., so be prepared for a wait during peak hours. The drinks were good, but they didn't particularly stand out to me. I personally preferred the Ube coffee over the tea-based drink. The breakfast sandwiches, however, were the highlight of our visit. They were incredibly flavorful, and the tocino paired perfectly with the other ingredients, making for a delicious and satisfying meal. One thing that could improve the experience would be having a staff member outside providing estimated wait times. Without any updates, it was difficult for guests to know how long the line would take, especially since the restaurant becomes very busy and closes relatively early. From what I could see, the interior looked beautiful, modern, and very clean. Overall, despite the long wait, the food was well worth trying. If you plan to visit, I recommend arriving early or placing an online order to save time. read more

Kasama - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a review of the dinner course. You know the scene in Ratatouille when Remy had Emile taste the cheese and strawberry together? Yes fireworks! That's how I felt with nearly every bite. The first one really set the tone for the entire experience. Silky coconut cream, bright acidity of passion fruit, delicate kampachi and the briny kaluga caviar-- wow! Other standouts were the pulutan, kare-kare and adobo. The desserts were a one-two-three punch absolute home run. Ambiance/interior is understated elegance. Warm wood tones, lush greenery, dim lighting, neutral palette. Service is 10/10 comparable to a 3 star. Really loved the pacing. 13 courses in two hours, never rushed , not a long lull in between. Recommend the San Miguel pilsner especially with the finger foods. Crisp and refreshing palate cleanser and perfect match for the savory flavors. Eating with the hands was a very thoughtful way to invite guests to a staple, cultural tradition rooted in community and shared enjoyment. Sharing the experience with a group of four made it even better! read more

Kasama - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Arrived before 9 AM and there was already a long line! We waited about 1.5 hours to be seated. You order and pay as you enter. The interior is modern and cozy, and service was attentive despite the crowd. The pastries were the highlight! The Salmon Danish was my favorite, followed by the Matcha Eclair--the crispy rice layer added such a nice texture. The Ube Huckleberry Basque Cake was also a hit. We also had the Filipino Breakfast and Chicken Adobo, which definitely satisfied our Filipino food cravings. Love seeing Filipino cuisine getting so much love from locals and visitors alike. And being Michelin-recognized makes it even more special. Definitely worth experiencing--just be prepared for the line! read more

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We were in Chicago last week of August and I made sure I include this in our plans for that week. Arrived 9:30 via uber, lined up and go to the counter to order by 11:18, this was on a Wednesday morning. We both ordered the Filipino breakfast (though I wished I ordered something else) and a few drinks and had the saba tart and strawberry tart to go. If you're Filipino don't expect your typical longanisa and tocino because they did theirs differently as it is not mass produced and not processed meat which is what we get when we buy those items from the Filipino grocery store. I also love that they added fresh elements to the dish. I wish I ordered more pastries though because the tarts we got are sooo good! Once seated you'll realize that their dining section is small but they do have outdoor seating and some bar stools inside. My cousin who is a local told me they just order online and then pick up to bypass the line. This is a good idea if you're local but since we were visiting we opted to dine in. Their drinks are also good l had latte and calamansi lemonade which was very refreshing (it was hot outside) and my son's iced matcha latte is also good. Wish I got more pastries - their Saba tart is original and worth the $13 price tag. read more

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Almost everyone I know who has been to Chicago told me to visit Kasama, and now I totally get why. They're a two michelin star modern filipino spot that's a bakery by day and a tasting menu restaurant by night. The line is almost always crazy long. Pro tip: place an online order right when they open in the morning so you can skip the line for pickup. I went close to 2pm, so I only waited about 15 minutes for brunch, but most of the pastries and breakfast sandwiches were already sold out. ＊Matcha Pandan Eclair $9.5 ** The biggest éclair I've ever seen! You get a mini version on their tasting menu, but the bakery sells this full-size beauty. My favorite pastry from the haul! I loved the crunch from the toasted genmai and the light pandan whipped cream. I just wish the matcha flavor was stronger. ＊Black Truffle Croissant $16 * Every bite was packed with black truffle flavor, and with fresh shaved black truffle, truffle oil, and a premium truffle filling, I could see why it costs $16. You also get a mini version on the tasting menu. But I wasn't a fan of the crunchy pearl sugar on top. I ended up shaving it all off. ＊Ube & Huckleberry Basque Cake $9 Loved the little powdered sun stencil inspired by the Philippine flag. It was filled with ube pastry cream and huckleberry. Personally, I found the filling too sweet for my liking. ＊Filipino Breakfast $20 ** I originally wanted their signature longanisa breakfast sandwich, but it was sold out, so the staff recommended this instead. Best recommendation ever, I even thanked them before I left! Every component was so thoughtfully done, especially the meats. Now I need to come back for the tasting menu. ＊Oh, Hot Yam $6.85 ** Hands down the best ube latte I've had. Super ube-forward with a hint of coconut sap that made it even more comforting on a chilly rainy day in Chicago. read more

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We ordered around 9am on Saturday, and the earliest pickup time was for 1pm. It ended up being ready around 12:30, which was nice! A friend in line had just reached the front and had been waiting for 1.5 hours We got the truffle croissant (amazing, loved the truffle on top too for extra flavor!), whoopie pie (solid, very soft and fluffy), and the hand pie (pretty average, wouldn't get again). Unfortunately the ube basque cake was OOS by the time we ordered. I loved their coffees - each one was sooo good and flavorful. My favorite was the coconut cortado! We also got the ube latte and kalamansi espresso tonic - they were both excellent as well. I would definitely go back for the coffee! read more

Kasama - Truffle croissant - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

WORTH IT AMAZING OMG. We ordered ahead and got a little bit of everything. The Hashbrown egg and cheese sandwich was amazing and then we also tried the ube cake, truffle croissant and the citrus pound cake: the pandan matcha eclair was sold out but everything else we had was more than enough and so delicious. Their iced coffee drinks were also delicious. The vibes were great inside and the staff were so friendly and nice!! I hope I can order from here again soon! read more

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Came back for dine-in for breakfast with a group. There's always a line out the door, so luckily we were able to get in and grab a table right away because someone in our group lined up at 7am before they opened. Once you are in, you order at the counter. Eating in felt pointless to me because their menu is pretty limited and you can order the breakfast sandwich for takeout (one of their most popular items). Their pastries are decent but I've had better. The tarts were super refreshing and I loved the cream on top. I also ordered a hash brown, which was very similar to McDonald's but better. I don't think I'd come back here for breakfast, but I'd like to come back for their dinner since that's what got them the Michelin star. read more

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How can I begin?! If I don't do anything else on this Chicago trip, I can still say that I'd come back over and over again for this restaurant alone. The sandwich was the best sandwich I've ever had. The ube & huckleberry basque cake was delicious and nostalgic. And the coffee was the perfect taste of all of its ingredients combined. If I could rate it higher, I would. Ten out of ten. Absolutely no notes ! read more

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Kasama's been on my list for a few years but the long lines during brunch times deterred me from trying. I initially wanted to get a dinner reservation, but wasn't able to snatch one up even a couple weeks in advance. Spontaneously, my friend and I decided to go for lunch a couple Sundays ago. The weather conditions weren't great as it was raining moderately. This probably deterred at least some people from lining up. I got there around 12 PM and waited for about an hour, which is still long, but not as horrific as I thought. I also ended up with the last breakfast sandwich ticket since the group in front of me decided it wasn't worth it to wait in line so they gave it to me. This basically was the sign for me to stay in line. The ordering process was pretty simple. We ordered at the counter and prayed that there would be seats opened. Initially, we made ourselves comfortable at the bar, but we were able to migrate to a table shortly after. Our drinks came out within a few minutes after ordering and our food came out within 10. 12 OZ OH, HOT YAM! - 6.85 Initially, this was the drink I ordered. However, I thought it was too sweet and didn't feel like the ube flavor was that strong. My friend liked it more than the drink she ordered, so we ended up swapping. ICED BLACK SESAME LATTE - 6.85 This was the drink I swapped for, and the iced version was perfectly refreshing and nutty. It also wasn't too sweet. I would prefer a roastier black sesame flavor, but this was good enough. LONGANISA, EGG, AND CHEESE SANDWICH - 12 The breakfast sandwich didn't love like it'd be anything special, but the bun was incredibly soft and fluffy, with a custard, soft egg. The longanisa was well-seasoned, with the sweet & savory flavors bursting after each bite. I can see why the breakfast sandwiches at Kasama are so popular. Would highly recommend if you're able to snatch one. PORK BELLY ADOBO - 19.50 This item is weekend only, so I had to try it! I also love a good adobo rice. Despite it being pork belly, it was surprisingly not too heavy or fatty. The poached egg mixed in made each bite creamier. The pickled vegetables and chopped scallions were a nice touch to add a bit of tang and aromatics. I did take home half of the rice bowl home to enjoy for breakfast the next day. While this was good, it was probably the weakest of the three food items we ordered. FILIPINO BREAKFAST - 19 +1 for combo (longanisa and tocino) My friend ordered this, which came with a serving each of longanisa and tocino, a bed of garlic rice, sunny side up egg, pickled vegetables, and garnish. I had a bit of both meats, and the tocino was definitely my favorite. It was juicy, a good mix of sweet and savory -- reminded me of the Cantonese BBQ pork belly. I would definitely order something with tocino upon future visit. This was a pricy lunch, but the food was good and tasted cleaner than I had expect. I had a great time trying brunch at Kasama and would love to visit for their dinner menu when I'm in Chicago again. read more

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Visiting Chicago and pretty much EVERYONEEEEE recommended this place and honestly I can see why! There was a 2 hour wait on a Saturday morning and ooooof you're going be baking in the sun (no patio, no shade, no umbrellas) so come prepared with hats, umbrellas and water!! Usually when I wait that long for something I get extra harsh on critique like my god you better be worth the wait.... And unfortunately this place WAS actually that good where I couldn't even be mad. Filipino breakfast combo ($20)-- has both longanisa sausage and tocino, suuuuper savory and goes great with their garlic rice and sunny side up egg. It's one of those things that's just so simple but so soooo good when done right. Pork belly adobo ($20)-- weekends only! braised pork belly with garlic rice and sunny side up egg. This is similar to a Taiwanese Lu rou fan. It was slightly sweet with the savory. It gets kind of fatty/greasy after a while but once you add some chili and vinegar from the basket it's all good !!! Longanisa breakfast sandwich ($12)-- didn't add the hash brown but that was an option! Soft bread, fluffy egg, cheese and longanisa... again so simple but sooooo good! The Longanisa in this was like a meat patty vs the sausage in the breakfast plate. Same name but different enough I promise! Didn't feel like I got a duplicate or anything like the textures are different! For pastries... forgot the price-- Salmon danish: Weekend only! Wish we got more!! It was perfectly light and savory. Doesn't have that strong fishy smell and the flavor was so good. Smoked salmon, cream cheese, fish roe... how could it not be good!! Cheesecake: SOOOOOOO GOOD!!! Again, should've ordered more!! Not all cheesecakes are created equal but THIS ONEEEEE was so so good. The crust:filling ratio was perfect. It was rich and creamy. Doesn't mix in cake/filler like some other places. Just good, pure, classic cheesecake with some good fruit on top. Cardamom bun: Texture kind of like breakfast bun/kougn amann but tastes like a light pumpkin spice, thanksgiving. Goes great with coffee I'm sure!! This flavor profile in general isn't really my thing but my friend loved it !! Banana bread: Really not the most aesthetic thing. It's almost kinda ugly in pictures ... but what it lacks it makes up for in TASTEEE. I should've gotten a cross section but there's dark chocolate and nuts and the banana flavor is there and sweetens everything so nicely. Also, you order at the counter and they'll bring it to you at the table in order of drinks then pastries then food. Not sure how it works if you want to order more tbh like if you finish eating and want more dessert. Would I wait 2 hours again? Unfortunately probably yeah. Since I'm a visitor it's not like I can go during off hours/random weekdays etc. And everything was soooo good I'd definitely come again next time I'm back!! read more

Kasama - Salmon danish, cardamom bun, banana bread, cheesecake - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Got our order to-go!! Pickup was easy and staff were friendly! Got the breakfast sandwich with hash brown and some pastries. Also got some lumpias! Everything was really pretty and tasted good, but I wouldn't wait in line or out of my way to visit again unless I'm in the area. Very popular spot! read more

Kasama - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really liked all the bakery goods that we got, the banana tart and the Boston cream donut. Both of which are not too sweet though very pricey. The tart was 13$ and the donut was almost 8$. I also really liked the chicken adobo and the sandwich we got wasn't as good as I thought. Was really looking forward to their breakfast sandwich but we got there a bit too late. Will definitely come back to try their breakfast sandwich. The bakery and desserts are a bit pricey but really liked it. Overall, a good experience. read more

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I waited about 45 minutes to try the breakfast sandwich here. A word of warning: the line gets very long, and there is no shade or fans outside, so come prepared for the elements. (Also, keep in mind that mornings are walk-in only, you can't order the breakfast sandwich online like you can with the pastries, and reservations are strictly for their dinner service.) Stepping inside is a welcome relief from the sun. The interior is modern and light-filled, featuring a gorgeous pastry display at the central ordering counter. The space is tight, loud, and bustling. Which makes sense given the sheer volume of people they serve, so you'll have to try and snag one of the few seats along the edges. Once we finally ordered, the service was incredibly fast. The sandwich came out in less than 5 minutes! It was definitely a good, tasty sandwich, but I wouldn't say it was amazing. Ultimately, while I enjoyed the food and the beautiful space inside, I probably wouldn't wait 45 minutes in the blazing sun to get it again. read more

Worth the wait and hype ? Not really for the bfast sammies! As for the bakery part ? Yes, some items were really done well like the chocolate Carmel tart and raspberry whoopie pie! Seeing a line out the door was a real put off but we ordered ahead thankfully. So the bfast Sammies were ok but nothing to write home about. The sausage could have been a bit more crisp and the hash brown one was a bit dry.... The egg was fantastic on there as it reminded me of being in Tokyo. The tart and whoopie pie were incredible- flavors were rich, crust was melt in your mouth and the cream was divine. The banana bread cake and poppy seed cake were decent but again pretty dry. All and all glad we tried it and probably won't be back unless for bakery items! read more

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Pulled up to Kasama just around 8:30 AM on a Thursday and were the second party in line, but just a few minutes later, the line ended up stretching pretty far down the block for those who like to plan ahead. Seating is pretty limited, but it looked like most folks were picking up pastries to go, but either way you order at the front one party at a time. Truffle Croissant (5/5): A must get, super intense black truffle against a perfectly flaky and chewy buttery croissant. The large bits of pearl sugar add pops of sweetness that I loved. Mango Tart (4.75/5): Mango really shines through with melt in your mouth texture and fruity sweetness. Coconut pasty cream adds almost a nutty flavor and luscious mouthfeel to contrast against the lightly crunchy cookie crust. Prosciutto Croissant (4.5/5): Pastry again impeccable with sharp saltiness from the prosciutto and cheese. Still absolutely delicious, but hard to recommend with how good the other items were. Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich (5/5): Another life changing bite. Hash brown add on is unbelievably crunchy against the egg bite that is pillowy soft and fluffy roll. Longanisa is salty and sweet, just the best way to start your morning. Lumpia (3.75/5): Comes out piping hot and the meat still stays juicy and bouncy. Good, not crazy. Filipino Breakfast with Longanisa and Tocino (4/5): Garlic rice is fluffy, but heavy on the garlic exactly like I love it. Sunny side up eggs were perfectly cooked and the two meats were actually the weakest components, a bit chewier than expected. Chicken Adobo (4.25/5): Chicken has almost a nice char on the outside and doused in a tangy sauce with crispy garlic bits. Tender and juicy, personally preferred this over the longanisa and tocino. Sweet Corn Hojicha (2/5): Only real whiff that we tried. While you could really taste the corn, unfortunately ended up being wayyyy too sweet and I couldn't have more than a sip or two. read more

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Placed an online takeout order (a must unless you want to wait in a looooong line) for the breakfast sandwich and pastries. The food is absolutely immaculate. While it is on the pricey side, there's a reason and it clearly isn't keeping people away. read more

Kasama - Breakfast sandwich - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Look if I am going to be forced to wait in line, I might as well come early and be front of the line knowing I'm getting the freshest pickings and nothings run out yet. Showed up on a Friday morning at 730, was third in line, and waited 90 minutes. By 8am that line was already down to the end of the block. Just take my advice on this. My favorite thing about this place was how they let people in. One party at a time. Makes the atmosphere and ambiance inside feel more cozy and warm with none of that viral sensation nonsense. Best part is, when I finally ordered, the guy at the counter was super chill. Let me ask a few questions, was patient and kind. None of that viral sensation snobbery that comes with these kinds of places. Food time. The truffle croissant was unlike any other croissant I ever had. Despite the truffle it was also kind of sweet, I don't know it just works. Not hype at all. Our sticky bun had dimensions of deep burnt caramel flavor. Flavors kept unfolding with every chew. We are lumpia addicts so we had to try these. Absolutely delicious, but at over 10 bucks, anyone that knows lumpia knows you can get a dozen for like 5 bucks at strip mall type joints. And now for the main event. The breakfast sandwich with sausage, hash brown, and extra cheese was truly exceptional. It was textural bliss combined with the flavor bomb from the Filipino sausage. Would I wait 90 minutes again for another one, probably not. But I'm glad I did it just the same. read more

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Wait times are NO JOKE. I only tried their famous breakfast sandwich with the option to add on the hash browns. The egg is like custard like in texture and just heavenly. The overall sandwich is RICH & HEAVY, even for a fattie like me, LOL. I ate half with a ton of water to wash it down, and ate the other half hours later. My leftovers tasted even better somehow. I am glad I was able to try it during my trip here. Are the wait times worth it for this? For me, personally, no. I wouldn't wait more than an hour. Unfortunately, the wait times are much longer than that! I got lucky, and a friend pre-ordered it for me. read more

Kasama - The texture of the egg is like custard, almost like soft tofu in a good way! This is the breakfast sandwich w hash brown :) - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When we decided to visit Chicago to catch a pre World Cup match up vs. Germany, I figured out how far advance I have to make a reservation to Kasama. At 1201am, I was able to secure a table for 4. We have been to majority of award winning Filipino restaurants in the USA. When Kasama received its 2 Michelin star 2 years in a row, we had to make sure that we dine here. Paying for Filipino food is usually cheap, but this place is totally worth it. Many of us Filipinos are very critical when we eat at Filipino restaurants because we always say my mom or aunt cooks the dish so much better. The 13-14 course meal was perfect from start to finish. The right amount of food on each dish and well thought of. @kasamachicago First Filipino 2 Star Our favorite dishes - Sinigang Japanese fried mackerel, Kare Kare taco, Nilaga, and Pulutan with talaba & shrimp toast. Finishing the meal with multiple play on with popular Filipino dessert- turon and halo halo. But that truffle croissant is amazing it made up for not serving rice. Will need to go back to their bakery- which is one of the best in Chicago. Been to a lot of high end Filipino restaurants in the USA- Kasama is definitely the BEST!!! As a goodbye gift they sent us home with an amazing pastry. Congratulations for the 2 stars. read more

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The real trick with Kasama is to order online ahead before they open the opening time for orders that day will be around 845. I would suggest ordering as soon as it opens as it will stack up pretty quickly. I love all of the pastries there if you get there early, you can walk around the neighborhood and there is a famous fountain there in the famous ladder sculpture as well as an angel sculpture right around there and parking is pretty easy in the morning. I really liked the black sesame latte that is pictured here I would say that the pastries and a latte or more of a highlight for me than the entrées, but everything is great! The interior is also very cute and everyone is very kind. We just didn't sit down so I feel like I can't comment on that too much but yes if you take anything away from this, it is please order ahead. You won't regret it. read more

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Desserts were all very delicious. $7.95 pecan $13 for banana $9 for ube Although they were pricey I think it was worth it. All 3 pastries we got lived up to the hype. We got lucky and there was a very short line outside the time we went and got our pastries right away. Would definitely love to try the food next time. read more

Kasama - Ube basque cake, banana cream dessert, pecan roll - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Believe the hype. Such a cool place with great Filipino food & pastries. We usually get there around 8am or so. They open at 9. The line starts around then or earlier. I get the egg,cheese,& hash brown sandwich. The fluffy egg is magic. Potato bun is soft. Hash brown is crispy. The Ube latte is delicious hot or iced. But the star of the show is the pastries. That huckleberry basque is my favorite. Fast, friendly service. The outdoor patio is adorable. They bring your food out to you. Oh yeah, they stop some of the breakfast items at noon though. Go early. read more

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Order ahead online!!! We placed an order at 8:45 right when online ordering opened. The order was ready by 10:00am. When we got there the line outside was about two blocks and people stated moving slowly. One in line even said she looked to place online ordering but it was showing ready at 1:30pm. So plan ahead! The breakfast sandwich was delicious! The bun was thin and soft and the hashbrown thin and crispy which was perfect. We also got an assortment of pastries to try of different flavors. The guava and cheese ensaymada was a favorite! The staff for picking up online orders were very nice! The team was very organized and efficient with pick up orders. Only tough part was interior area by pick up is small. read more

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Pro tip: Set an alarm and be ready to order online at 8:45 a.m. Even though I logged on right at 8:45 a.m., my order wasn't ready until around 10:30-10:45 a.m. By the time I arrived, the line was easily two blocks long. I was lucky enough to snag a parking spot from someone pulling out right in front, and I was even happier to skip the line and walk straight in to pick up my order. Order ahead--it is absolutely the move. The drinks aren't sitting around waiting for pickup either. It seemed like they were making my matcha latte right as I arrived, which I appreciated. The star of the show was the huckleberry pastry--absolutely worth the hype. The longanisa breakfast sandwich was delicious but very substantial. For us, one sandwich was the perfect amount to share among three people; I think it would feel pretty heavy as a solo breakfast. The apple hand pie was one of the best I've had, and even the simple cookie was surprisingly delicious. We also tried a blueberry muffin, which was solid as well. The restaurant itself is cute, the space is clean, and the restrooms were spotless. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time I'll definitely follow the pro tip and order ahead. read more

Kasama - Breakfast Sandwich - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I absolutely love an Asian bakery, so was super excited to try Kasama (especially after its moment in The Bear!). Got there Sunday at 10:45, and waited almost 1.5 hrs in line. Thankfully they still had their famous breakfast sandwiches by the time I ordered (even though they normally stop selling them at noon). Got a couple drinks- Ube Latte and the Corn Maiz Tea Latte. I'll preface by saying that the Corn Maiz drink was my favorite thing I got from Kasama. It has a strong corn flavor that blends perfectly with the milk tea. This is a 10/10 no notes. Ube latte was also tasty. For food I ordered a ton of things: -Longanisa Egg and Cheese Sandwich w a hash brown: was surprisingly just okay IMO. Egg is very uniquely fluffy, more like a steamed egg than a scramble! The rest of the sandwich was tasty but nothing special. -Filipino Breakfast Platter w both meats: the Tocino is delish! IMO the better of the two breakfast meats. Garlic rice is good, but i always love garlic rice. -Italian Beef Eggrolls: so crispy and delicious with the gardeneira dipping sauce! Weekends only item- be sure to try! -Lumpia: so crispy and flavorful, they really fry things well here. -Matcha Pandan Eclair: the choux was pipped on top, and was so fluffy and delicious. The crispy rice inside the shell added a fun texture. This was my favorite pastry! -Truffle Croissant: lamination was good, flavors were a bit weird. Was overly sweet from the rock sugar + honey, so much that it overpowered the truffle IMO which is hard to do. -Guava and cheese ensaymada: very fluffy brioche with yummy filling. This was good, really wanted to try the ube one but they were out :( -Ube and Huckleberry basque cake: very rich! Was suggested this instead of the ube ensaymada and it was definitely more huckleberry than ube. Tasty though. Overall this spot was good and certain things (corn maiz drink, pandan eclair, Italian beef eggrolls) were worth the wait while others are overhyped. I would definitely order ahead next time for take out or sit inside- cute indoor and outdoor seating options! read more

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OH BOY!!!! Do you know "the way of the Kasama?" Not the Bruce Lee movie "The way of the Dragon". The Kasama of breakfast sandwiches!!! If not, keep reading and you will become enlightened on the ways of ridiculous breakfast sandwiches!!!! First the positive...get the breakfast sandwiches...all of them...I mean get all of them now!!! The Philippine sausage is probably one of the most amazing things ever...get it! You can't go wrong with the bakery either - get all the yum yum!! Now for the Neutral...order online...it will take 4 hours, but the line is super long, and it's worth just walking in to pick up. I'll say again...ORDER ONLINE!! Now for the Negative...no, nothing to do with the food (awesome), the service (awesome), the staff (awesome)...no, all the Negative falls on what I call the "Kasama Police" aka the other customers...accidentally get in wrong line...Kasama Police will put you in your place! Not sure where to pick up online order and accidentally get in front of someone...oh no, Kasama police up in your grill!! Seriously, these people suck major lemons...get a life Kasama Police!! So long story short, when you get there to pick up online order...go through door...go to right...ask Kasama police where pick up line is..give the person your name and order number...wait patiently...and get the best breakfast sandwiches ever!! And if Kasama police get up in your face???? ROADHOUSE baby!!!!!! read more

michelin starred filipino bakery/cafe! the line was really long when we arrived, luckily we did the preorder strategy. even though I preordered right when they opened at 8:45am, it was only ready at 10:15am. the pastries were really good! the longanisa breakfast sando was unique but not amazing (personal preference), but I loved the banana tart and oat ube huckleberry basque cake (I thought the ube was overpowered by the huckleberry though). prices are certainly steep but worth trying! read more

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The pastries were good but not good enough to wait in line for. I would place an online pick up order ahead of time and get stuff to-go. Try to place a pick up order as soon as they open, since the wait times can be very long for pick up. I checked at 10am on a Sunday and the order pick up time would've been 1pm. I got there at 10am on Sunday and the line took 2 hours to get seated. You wait in one line for both dine-in and carry-out orders. -- The Ube and Coconut Ensaymada had great texture, almost like a bun and donut hybrid. The cream filling was good but I wish there was more cream inside. -- The Apple Hand Pie was awesome. The filling was almost like a caramelized apple spread, and the outside was flaky and had a crunchy sugar crust on top. -- The Maiz Corn Leche was absolutely decadent and the best thing I had at Kasama. It was so creamy, lightly salted, and had a strong corn flavor. -- The Manila Fog was okay. The tea flavor is strong and the drink was creamy, but the pandan flavor was almost non-existent. read more

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Finally tried this Michelin Star restaurant. Came here on a Friday morning around 9AM and there was already a line. We waited 1hr 30mins. The line was moving decently. Once we got inside, we ordered our food and they told us what table number to be seated at. They brought us our food pretty quickly. We ordered the Kare-Kare, breakfast sandwich, banana tart, and ube huckleberry tart. Everything was good but the banana tart was the best one. It even tastes delicious the next day. Would I come back and wait in line again? Probably not. Would I order online once in a blue moon? Yeah sure. read more

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My boyfriend is Filipino so we had to try this spot while we were visiting Chicago we used the preorder link at 8:50am and the items were ready for pickup at 11:15am we ordered: -- ube basque: 7/10 it didn't really have much ube flavor -- chocolate caramel tart: 7.5/10 the tart was perfect but the chocolate and caramel together makes it a little too sweet - the pieces on the top unfortunately didn't add to the taste -- truffle croissant: 10/10 wow this was amazing! I actually don't like truffle or croissant but this was flaky, and the rock sugar (I think that's what it is?) on top is so addicting. the cream truffle filling was flavorful but not overpowering -- longanisa egg sandwich + hashbrown: 7/10 just wasn't a standout for me -- mushroom adobo: 8/10 it was flavorful - I would order again but not sure it's worth almost $20 for drinks, we both got the hot yam but my boyfriend got it iced and I got it hot -- it tasted better iced but it was still lacking in ube flavor. the coffee also didn't taste strong enough for me personally honestly I really wanted to like this place more but for almost $100 for everything and the long wait, I expected at least half of the items to be perfect but I felt like only the truffle croissant felt like a 10/10 for me I will say the staff was very sweet though -- maybe it's a better experience dining in, so I think next time I will wake up early to eat inside and hopefully be able to give a higher rating :-) read more

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Worth the wait! We got there about an hr before doors opened, it took about 2 hrs for us to get seated so be prepared to wait. But it's actually quite spacious inside which is nice, and I liked that all of the pastries were out for display. The highlights are definitely their breakfast sandwich (get the longanisa with hash browns inside) and adobo. All the pastries are great, but the whoopie pie was my favorite. We also tried the calamansi mimosa, super refreshing for a hot day. If you don't have time to wait, definitely just order their breakfast sandwiches to go online!! read more

I got the longanisa breakfast sandwich, chicken adobo ube huckleberry basque cake, and Manila fog. Everything was so delicious. I especially liked the longanisa breakfast sandwich and chicken adobo. I'm so glad that they were willing to make the breakfast sandwhiches beyond 12pm for some of us waiting in line. Fyi they normally stop making the breakfast sandwhiches at noon. Be prepared to wait in line for at least an hour, this spot is super popular. I also really enjoyed the chicken adobo. The chicken was tender and I thought the hint of sweetness from the coconut flakes sprinkled on top was a pleasant touch. I also really liked the Manila fog drink - it wasn't too sweet or overpowering. For the ube huckleberry basque cake - I mostly tasted tartness from the huckleberry and not so much ube, but it was good regardless. The staff were all pretty nice. There's indoor and outdoor seating. You'll likely be able to make a friend or two from the wait in line haha. Highly recommend trying this place at least once! read more

Kasama - Manila fog, ube huckleberry basque cake, longanisa breakfast sandwich, chicken adobo - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The hype is real. The breakfast/brunch is very delicious and if you don't want to wait in line, hop on the website and order for pick up. There is seating around the corner for you to eat, if needed. It was very busy on a Friday morning and everyone was very friendly. The sandwich is as delicious as it looks and I recommend the gooey pecan bun. My to-go order was right on time: steaming hot food, lattes made fresh for the pick up time, what more can you ask for?! Really nice touch that you can choose your sweetness level. 10/10 I recommend, this restaurant was running like a machine and it's quite impressive. read more

Kasama - The breakfast sando with longonisa sandwich. - Filipino Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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