Chicago Filipino Gem: Uncle Mike’s with a Sweet Surprise 🌟

Finally finished this long-overdue draft... Uncle Mike’s is a cozy, affordable Filipino spot that feels like a hidden gem. 🏡 Arrived at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m., and it was already packed! Fortunately, the wait wasn’t long. After scanning the QR code at the entrance, we were seated in less than 15 minutes. The space behind the bar reveals a larger dining area—it’s like discovering a secret room. 🕸️ Free Bowl of Porridge = Big Win 🥣 After placing our order, we were delighted with a bowl of warm porridge. It’s a white rice porridge with slices of ginger, crispy fried garlic, and scallions—I loved it! My bowl even had a slice of lemon, which added a refreshing twist. It was a delightful start to the meal. 🍋 Sausage Rice: A Must-Try 🍖 The menu is straightforward, with a focus on rice bowls. I opted for the sausage rice, which came with perfectly cooked rice and a fried egg on top. The fried fish, seasoned simply with salt, felt a bit too plain for my taste. I found myself craving some chili powder or sauce halfway through. For those who like a bit more flavor, I’d suggest trying the pork shoulder instead. 🌶️ Mysterious Chocolate Rice Pudding 🍫 Included with the set meal was a small bowl of something brown. I thought it was red beans, but to my surprise, it was sweet! This turned out to be a dessert that came with the meal, and it was a delightful twist. I’ve never had anything like it before! 🥧 Comparison with Kasama 🍽️ I’ve also tried Filipino dishes at Kasama. In my opinion, Kasama offers a wider variety of Filipino-style rice bowls. Their braised pork belly rice (also with crispy garlic) and sausage rice left a more lasting impression on me. The rice was fragrant and sticky, and the cilantro added a perfect finishing touch. Overall, I’d recommend Kasama more. That said, Uncle Mike’s has its own charm as a neighborhood spot and is definitely worth a visit! 🌟 #ChicagoFoodie #ChicagoEats #ChicagoExploration #Chicago #FilipinoCuisine