Cebu Chicago Review

Alexis Hu

There’s something about a Saturday morning that screams ‘BRUNCH’ in all-caps. This past April, while searching for a place to meet my friend for said Saturday brunch, I stumbled upon Cebu Chicago: a restaurant I had saved on my go-to list for a while. Cebu Chicago is a family establishment that’s dedicated not only to sharing the flavors and cultural heritage of the Philippines but also to allowing people to experience the beauty of the Filipino community and hospitality. Located in West Lakeview, Cebu Chicago is among a host of various nearby popular food destinations, but stands out because of its bright sun logo and colorful menu.

Staring at the menu, I was overwhelmed by the abundance of options placed before me, but as soon as I spotted the Ube Latte, I knew it was meant to be. If you know me, you know I am genuinely obsessed with Ube. I was able to sub almond milk for no extra charge, which I deeply appreciate as a (sadly) lactose-intolerant person (shout out to all my fellow lactose-intolerant folks). Initially, I intentionally curbed my excitement because Ube-flavored items tend to be very hit-or-miss. In fact, most of the time, they tend to be more vanilla or coconut flavor-forward, containing an underwhelming Ube taste. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Cebu’s ube latte after my first sip – it had that complex, nutty Ube flavor, and the sweetness was just right! On a relatively cold and slightly rainy day, this drink warmed me up right away. I still dream about this drink to this day and would go back for that latte alone (which is saying a lot because it’s far!)!

Adding to my vibrant, purple drink, I decided to get a green entree, also known as the PanPancakes (pandan). Pandan is a flavor extracted from a tropical leaf that is popular in South Asian cuisines, often described as having a coconut-like flavor. The PanPancakes are infused with pandan and served with a side of pandan chantilly cream, nata de coco, and maple syrup. This was my first time trying nata de coco, a coconut jelly made of fermented coconut water, and it was absolutely delicious and apparently gut-healthy as well (a nice bonus!). The pancakes themselves weren’t my favorite, as they didn’t have much Pandan flavor and lacked the fluffy texture that I love. However, the accouterments were absolutely splendid, and I found myself adding heaps of the chantilly cream and nata de coco to every bite! Overall, I wouldn’t get this dish again, but I’m glad I tried it.

I can’t comment much on what my friend ordered since I didn’t try it, but she loved both items, so I thought they were still worth the mention. She ordered the Hojicha Latte, which came in a similarly cute glass cup. I am more of a hojicha girl than a matcha girl myself (I know that might be controversial), so I would definitely want to try this latte someday. For her entrée, she ordered the Breakfast Chicken Inasal: grilled chicken thigh marinated in an array of seasonings, served with eggs (any style), garlic rice, and Pinakurat salad. In the future, I think I would go for something savory as a main dish, and the Breakfast Chicken Inasal seems like a great option!

Also, if you’re around West Lakeview and just want to grab a quick bite to go, they have a bakery section filled with unique Filipino pastries like the Ube Ensaymada Cinnamon Roll Croissant, the Calamansi Cheese Danish, and their Cebu Flan.

I’ve spent most of this blog post writing about the food, but honestly, one of my favorite parts of Cebu Chicago was seeing families reuniting over brunch, hugging, and waving to each other through the window. I could tell this wasn’t just any restaurant; it was a place for families to convene, friends to catch up, and people who missed the beloved flavors of their Filipino culture to get a taste of home with a contemporary twist. Cebu felt more like a community than a simple establishment, filled with a warmth that made me feel welcome even as a first-time visitor.

Whether you stop by for brunch, dinner, or just a sweet treat, I’m sure that both the food and people of Cebu Chicago will have you leaving with a smile on your face!