Cocina Filipina, previously known strictly as a food truck, is brick-and-mortaring – at its new home, 3801 W. Vliet St. – real soon! The business posted to its social media that its grand opening will be Saturday, Aug. 1. It’s going to be a block party from 3-8 p.m. with live music and a pop-up appearance (from 3-7 p.m.) by the new Filipino bakery Ube MKE.
The space’s industrial vibe with its cement bar is a carryover from previous occupants Lisa Kaye Bistro and Triciclo Peru. It’s a small dining room, but owners Marilupe “Lupe” Moreno and Bailey “Billy” Bush are making it their own, just as they have with their cuisine. The food interprets Filipino cuisine through a Latin filter.
The food menu at the Cocina restaurant will initially be nearly identical to the food truck menu, but will two exceptions – the inclusion of pancit (noodles) and lechon (slow-roasted pork with a distinctly crisp skin). Other options will be lumpia (Filipino fried rolls – a cousin of egg rolls but thinner) and various rice bowls with grilled Filipino chicken, slow-cooked marinated pork or tofu. Moreno also hopes by opening weekend to offer a selection of Filipino cocktails incorporating ingredients like ube (a purple yam native to the Philippines).
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The dessert menu will expand to include ube-flavored desserts like flan and churros, but these treats will not be available at the block party – because Ube MKE will be selling their ube cookies, brownies and bundt cakes.
“I just want people to know we’re a safe space and a space for the community,” Moreno says, adding that it’s important to her and her partner that the business honor the diversity of its Washington Park-area location.
Brick-and-mortar hours expand after the grand opening, starting Sunday, Aug. 2: Daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
