Savor the ‘Taste of the Philippines’ in this restaurant’s new home in Jefferson Park

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If the sweet and savory taste of longanisa and tocino brings you nostalgia, this Filipino restaurant in Jefferson Park will surely feel like home.

Or if you’re on a hunt for breakfast in the middle of the day or you’re just hungry for something homely, say hello to “A Taste of the Philippines” in its new home in Jefferson Park, Chicago.

Serving up your beloved Filipino breakfast all day (yes, eggs shouldn’t have curfews), this Filipino restaurant in Jefferson Park delights with morning foods with a twist.

Visionary chef Kathy Vega Hardy is at the helm of this venture — with a knack for turning traditional dishes into modern culinary masterpieces. 

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After bidding her food stall in Chicago’s French Market adieu, Hardy is all set to take things to the next level with her first standalone restaurant opening its doors by early April at 5914 W. Lawrence Avenue. 

But she’s not on a solo flight as she teams up with Crumbs and Creams — a bakery made popular by sylvana cookies. Surely, some sweet treats are the perfect go-to after indulging in savory eats.

This partnership is a no-brainer with Crumbs and Creams owners Katrina and Charlie Requiron sharing the same passion for Filipino cuisine and community.

Alongside their best-seller sylvana, a blend of savory and sweet awaits with the bakery’s other sweet confections: turon and their signature ube doughnut.

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Not just another Filipino restaurant in Chicago

Meanwhile, Chicago’s food scene boasts of other renowned Filipino restaurants like Michelin-starred Kasama. But what sets “A Taste of the Philippines” apart? Their passion for authenticity blended with innovation.

Feeling like her creations are in a sweet middle ground, Hardy asserts, “I wouldn’t call it upscale, but it’s not fast-food either.” 

From one of their bestsellers, mushroom adobo, to Longaniza Breakfast Sammy (pandesal, longaniza, fried egg and cheese) and ube waffles, this Filipino restaurant in Chicago culinary delights are a nod to Pinoy tradition with a modern touch.

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Passion for curating good food

Hardy’s story wasn’t just transformed through her kitchen’s magic wand. Her restaurant business started as a food truck in Denver in 2012, which grew into a community favorite, catering to parties and events.

Her journey from Manila to Denver, and then finally to Chicago, is a story of resilience and passion for curating good food. And with “A Taste of the Philippines” coming to Jefferson Park, her team is bringing their diners straight back home.