This Filipino food spot in Chicago designs an ‘adventurous’ eating experience

Photos from Boonie Foods/Facebook and boonieschicago/Instagram

Adobo and lumpia may be all the rage in the Filipino food scene in the United States but Vigan longganisa? Not so much.

But Boonie’s in Chicago looks to change it up.

Recently granted the Bib Gourmand Award in the Michelin Guide, this Filipino restaurant in West Ave., Chicago is well-known for its bestselling Vigan longganisa but also offers more delicious Filipino favorites with a twist.

Boonie’s owner Joe Fontelera was over the moon about receiving a Bib Gourmand. “I am so incredibly proud and grateful to be included in the @michelin guide as a Bib Gourmand restaurant. Thank you everyone for all your support,” he wrote in a post.

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A post shared by Joseph Fontelera (@joefontelera)

The Filipino menu with a modern take

Although having a growing and loyal customer base is beneficial for any restaurant, some curious visitors often feel they are ordering something prompted by an “adventurous” feeling, shared Fontelera in an interview.

But adventurous or not, one simply cannot deny Boonie’s Vigan longganisa that has gained such a cult following, thanks to the black pepper, cane vinegar, and soy sauce imbued into these tiny sausages.

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The sizzling sisig, also fast becoming a Boonie boon, is served on a hot sizzling plate with its juicy pork bits drenched in a savory sauce, while their chicken inasal doesn’t go unnoticed, too, with a marinade of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and calamansi.

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Boonie’s backstory

Having started as a food stall in 2020 at Revival Food Hall, Boonie’s has come a long way blossoming into the restaurant it is today. Fontelera’s family migrated to the US in the ’70s.

Thanks to his family’s help and a successful GoFundMe campaign, Boonie’s was born with the goal to establish a spot for classic Filipino favorites with a modern take.

Catch Boonie’s Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.