Bayan Ko

My apologies if there is already a thread on this topic. I did a search and did not find one.

We have heard good things and are headed there this week. Any suggestions on menu highlights?

Bayan Ko
1810 W Montrose
Chicago, IL — 60613
(773) 698-6373
Tue - Sat 4-10pm
Closed - Sun & Mon

BYOB $5 corkage fee per table

I was there in November of last year. I enjoyed our meal and the overall vibe of the place quite a bit. Service was extraordinarily friendly, which felt great*. Crispy Adobo Chicken Wings, Lumpia Shanghai, Bayan Lechon and Oxtail Kare Kare -- all still showing on their online menu -- were the highlights for me.

*We'd given the host our mobile number and went up the street to a bar to have a drink while we waited. We were supposed to have been notified via their automated system when our table was ready. For whatever reason, that didn't work. But guessing we might be there, the host walked to the bar and told us in person that our table was ready. That was exceptional.

=R=

Thank you for starting this thread! The items we fondly remember from our visit a couple of months ago that would put us in a quandary between ordering the same dish again vs trying something new were the: lumpia (comfortingly familiar yet the meat was juicier and better-seasoned than most versions), luglug noodles (we expected great noodles then were blown away by the perfectly seared, high quality scallops), and the Cubano sandwich (I intended to mention this on the dedicated thread and apologetically haven't). We deferred to recommendations from the staff and were kindly, deliciously rewarded. After reading as much as possible beforehand, what surprised us was that the restaurant was not really a fusion of the two cuisines, and seemed more like elevated greatest hits from each tradition. We loved everything we ate and look forward to future visits.

We ate there last month and were mostly disappointed by the food; nothing was memorable or even particularly good. My strongest recollection was how the short rib bistec was fatty and chewy, and apparently had only been grilled, and how this cut did not appear to have been braised as is usually done to render some of that fat and tenderize the meat. However, the service was friendly and the prices were reasonable. I think it's great that others apparently had a better experience, but we won't be going back.


Exterior:

Interior (note that some of the seating consists of large picnic style tables with communal seating):

Luglug noodles - scallop, uni, chicharron, egg yolk, saffron

Short rib bistek - calamansi soy marinade, spanish onions

This dish contained pulled pork and plantain; it must have been a daily special since I don't see it listed on my photo of the day's menu:

We may have also had the mussels, but if so, I neglected to photograph them.

We are ringing in the new year with a multi-course meal from Bayan Ko. They did a collaboration with Ward Eight. Meal pick-up was available from either Bayan Ko or Ward Eight with cocktail add-ons available. We will be enjoying a French 75 or two as we nosh our way through the menu. I hope to add more photos later but that might depend on how deep we go into the French 75s.

Great minds think alike, and ours do, too. We picked up the meal box from Ward Eight last night, as well as the makings for a French 75 or three. Looks like the food will easily last for several meals.

Ditto and ditto. Got pics but still "suffering" from food overload. Generous portions, great food, and lotsa leftovers. I guess we're forced to do it again! (Not to mention the not-too-small package the Lovely Dining Companion thought to order from Momofuku...[free air freight!] I'll just say the magic words: "pork belly").

The NYE spread from Bayan Ko was fun to do. We didn't love everything, but since we ate things over the course of a few days, we may not have had them at their prime.

Cheese & Charcuterie Board behind our French 75s

Can't go wrong with cheese and charcuterie. I would have liked to have known what we were eating but it was all good.

Camaron Rebosado

One of the items we had to fry. It was a light tempura batter. We liked these.

Pan Con Bistec

The mojo aioli for this sandwich was terrific. Instructions for reheating were given using both the microwave and the oven. Mr. X chose not to reheat. I used the microwave, knowing it probably wouldn't enhance the sandwich. It didn't.

Pork Belly Maki

I liked this bite.

Crab Salad Deviled Egg

Missing from the top are the chives I didn't realize they included. Lots of garlic in the mixture.

Not pictured: Bocaditos de jamon

Lobster Palabok

These were better on the second day. The fish sauce (I think) was overpowering.

Turron (sweet banana and chocolate eggrolls)

My second frying experience. We enjoyed these.

Cassava cake

I liked his more than Mr. X did.

Bayan Ko was my backup choice on NYE, but the banana dessert was a non-starter for SueF. Looks wonderful. (We went with the Frontera Grill meal)

Now open for lung, Monday to Saturday, the restaurant is closed Sundays. Still byob. They eliminated the pre-pandemic communal tables/benches. Very happy to have this daytime option in the area!

Filipino-Cuban Smash Hit Bayan Ko Is Closed For Renovations
https://chicago.eater.com/2023/3/1/2362 ... ar-chicago