Cebu - Filipino restaurant in Chicago - 2211 W North Ave, USA

It was my first time in Cebu restaurant, I really was hoping to interact with someone who can speak Visayan since the restaurants name is derived from the Queen City of the South, Cebu, but I was disappointed, lol... I tried the kinilaw, which had a spin, they added an espuma (foam) to the dish, I find it clever but would have been better if the fish was already marinated in calamansi with some vinegar to absorp its flavor instead of tasting the "fishy" taste of the fish. Their Tocino pork belly was good and serving is good for 2 for just under $20! Their drink choices are awesome but only got to try the coffee with ube foam, taste ok. Their Halo halo is a must try, I love how they spread it out in a bowl and added ube flavoring to the shaved ice. Though the inside is clean, the front of the store would probably benefit from a make over since it was vandalized. I will still go back to this place soon if ever Im in Chicago...btw, parking offstreet is free!

This is a solid spot for Filipino food in Wicker Park with a casual yet sophisticated vibe. The food offer a blend of both “traditional” Filipino and Asian fusion flavors. Two friends and I shared the following dishes: - Ube Cheese Pan de Sol: these were soft, warm, and tasty, but I wish there was more cheese filling inside (it was quite lacking). The ube flavor was also much too mild. - Lumpiang: crispy and crunchy with good amount of filling, but pricey for your standard lumpiang. - Bam-i with chicken: the noodles were fresh, flavorful, and paired well with the crunch of the fried chicken. - Grilled pork belly: this was some really delicious, tender, and flavorfully grilled pork.. only wish the portions were bigger. Overall, I felt the food was quite tasty with good flavors all around, but the prices were quite steep for the portion sizes. Otherwise. the service was friendly and pretty quick, and the ambience is great. — Price (relative to peers): 4.1/5 Food: 4.4/5 Ambience: 4.8/5 Service: 4.5/5 Overall Value: 4.4/5

I was really impressed by our meal! From the waitress being helpful with recommendations and even checking in on us right before happy hour ended to how flavorful all of the food was! We tried the calamari (it was perfectly breaded and crisp), lumpia, and Cebu Lechón (which was on special). I appreciated all of the sauces and unique flavors throughout.

Cebu's Lechon and Halo Halo are pure delights! The Lechon is a succulent and crispy roasted pig that is bursting with flavor, making every bite a heavenly experience. And the Halo Halo is a refreshing and colorful dessert filled with a delightful mix of ingredients like sweet beans, jellies, fruits, and shaved ice. Indulging in these Cebuano specialties is a must for anyone seeking a taste of the region's rich culinary heritage.

Nice cozy space with friendly workers! I ordered the ube waffle and fried chicken, really enjoyed it! The ube waffle has a faint flavor of ube, but drizzling the sauce on top definitely brings out the flavor! I also love the balance of sweet and savory by adding egg and fried chicken, fried chicken is crispy on the outside, though a little dry on the inside. Fries on the side are amazing too, try dipping it into the Cuba sauce. It’s quite interesting but enjoyable!

A modern twist on Filipino food. After seeing a story about Cebu on social media shortly after they opened, Cebu has been a must on every Chicago trip. Pics were from Nov 2022. Can’t wait to go back in a few weeks.

Personally, I was disappointed. However the other diners I was with thought it was good. I don’t know enough about Filipino cooking to know whether the cooking is just not to my taste, or whether Cebu is not that great at Filipino cooking in the first place, but the food was bland, uninspired and frankly uninteresting. The service was excellent and attentive, but I think you’re better off spending $80-$100 per person elsewhere.

Pretty yummy, but quite pricey. I personally enjoyed the bread, garlic rice, gambas, and wagyu sisig