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).
Celebrate this year’s winners of the Betty Awards!
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.
