Just steps from Montrose CTA Brown Line Stop in Chicago, there’s this cozy little joint that serves up a unique blend of Filipino and Cuban cuisine. Bayan Ko not a fusion restaurant, but rather a blending of two cultures that have complimentary flavors and textures that come together in a truly new and unique culinary experience.

Its space is small and almost feels like someone’s home with some communal tables and sharing of plates encouraged. My favorite feature is that it is BYOB which ultimately saves you the cost that restaurants would mark up your beer or wine, and allowing you to try more dishes!

On the Filipino side of things there’s offerings like their handmade lumpia. And of the Cuban tradition, they offer a fantastic Cubano sandwich with plantain chips. Their creativeness and technique to blending these two cuisines is genius and worth the trek to the north side of the city to check out something totally different.

Reservations are taken by phone, but you can always put your name in and saddle up at Wolcott Tap a few doors down while you wait.