SIMILAR SPOTS
Filipino restaurants abound in Chicago and the ’burbs, but Filipino bars do not (Queen-Albert’s Bel Loyola attributes this to the difficulty of getting a liquor license). So bring the Philippines’ unofficial national brew, San Miguel Lager ($8.49/six-pack at Binny’s, locations citywide, binnys.com), to the following BYOB Pinoy eateries:
Hiromi’s Oriental Restaurant (3609 W Lawrence Ave, 773-588-6764, hiromis.com). Nightly karaoke puts the party in dinner party.
Little Quiapo (6259 N McCormick Rd, 773-279-8861). Recently relocated to North Park, LQ offers a tasty, inexpensive all-you-can-eat buffet and friendly service.
Isla Pilipina (2501 W Lawrence Ave, unit D, 773-271-2998, islapilipina.com). Try the fried chicken, which is chopped into almost bite-size pieces (bone-in, though) and topped with fried plantains.
This article is great!! it really makes you want to go and karokie at one of the bars listed...and bhave something fried. It's good to know there are good inexpensive eats around.