Restaurant

Bayan Ko

Name: Bayan Ko
Address: 1810 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL, 60613, US
Telephone: (773) 698-6373
Price range: value

Filipino•Ravenswood•value

Bayan Ko is one of the best filipino restaurants in Chicago for dinner, especially if you want a strong option in Ravenswood.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

Bayan Ko operates in Ravenswood at a price point that keeps things honest — we're talking a menu of $10-and-under bites where Filipino home cooking and Latin American street food don't so much collide as recognize each other. The concept isn't a chef's clever thesis statement; by all accounts it reads as something genuinely lived-in, rooted in the colonial and migratory threads that have always run between Filipino and Latin American kitchens. That shared Spanish colonial history shows up most explicitly in the Croqueta, which diners and press consistently describe as creamy, bronzed, and unabashedly rich — a dish that belongs equally to both traditions without having to explain itself. The menu is short and intentional, and that's the right call. The Lumpia is reportedly the kind of wrapper-forward execution where the crunch is the whole argument — filling secondary, texture primary. The Tamale Cubano draws the most consistent praise, with accounts pointing to masa that's been handled with patience rather than just efficiency. Pancit Luglug is described as funky and substantial in the way that good noodle dishes are, filling without being heavy-handed. The Kare Kare — the peanut-based braise — is the dish that shows up most in recommendations as the one to anchor your order around, a slow and deeply savory preparation that makes the case for the whole restaurant. Practical intel: the room is small and the crowd is real, so weeknight visits are the move when elbow space isn't at a premium. The verified menu is compact enough that ordering broadly makes sense — this is not a place where you want to under-order and wonder. The obvious pairing, based on what the kitchen is known for, is the Kare Kare alongside the Tamale Cubano. Call or text ahead.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

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Taste ID

Rate this restaurant

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Taste Score 8.2/10

Rating (Google) 9.4

445 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.2/10

Taste Score

Google 9.4 from 445 reviews

Best for

dinner and Cheap Eats

Price and pace

Good value

Neighborhood

Ravenswood | 1810 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, USA

Price

Good value

Taste Score

8.2/10

Phone

(773) 698-6373

Watch

Bayan Ko on video

Video: Kaitlin Digrispino (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: ChiTownFam (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Video: The Black Foodies (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: Thomas Poovathur (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Menu and ordering

Bayan Ko menu: what to order

Start with the dishes below, drawn from the restaurant details and TastyPals notes available on this page. Bayan Ko is listed in the Good value price range. Menus, availability, and prices can change, so confirm current details before visiting.

Kare Kare

oxtail, scallop, peanut

Tamale Cubano

crab, lamb, piquillo

Lumpia

caviar, pork, mom's garlic sauce

Croqueta

duck, lobster, sour orange

Pancit Luglug

chicharron, uni, quail egg, saffron

Check the current menu

Why go

What makes Bayan Ko worth the move

Bayan Ko is a reliable filipino choice in Ravenswood in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Lumpia and Croqueta also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 445 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.4 from 445 Google reviews

Best for

dinner and Cheap Eats

Style

Filipino in Ravenswood

Spend

Good value

Best for

Cheap Eats neighborhood dinner local

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.4 from 445 reviews

Price point: value

Popular dishes: Lumpia, Croqueta, Pancit Luglug

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for Bayan Ko

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Google snapshot

9.4 from 445 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez

No diner notes for Bayan Ko yet.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 1810 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
Phone: (773) 698-6373
Price: value
TastyPals score: 8.2/10
Google rating: 9.4 (445 reviews)
Cuisine: Filipino
Neighborhood: Ravenswood

Read guide

Restaurants in Ravenswood

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Bayan Ko serve?

Bayan Ko is a Filipino restaurant located in Ravenswood, Chicago. Bayan Ko operates in Ravenswood at a price point that keeps things honest — we're talking a menu of $10-and-under bites where Filipino home cooking and Latin American street food don't so much collide as recognize each other.

What is Bayan Ko best for?

Bayan Ko is best for cheap eats, neighborhood, dinner, local. Bayan Ko is a reliable filipino choice in Ravenswood in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Lumpia and Croqueta also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 445 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Bayan Ko?

Bayan Ko is in the Good value price range (value). Google rating: 9.4 from 445 reviews

What should I order at Bayan Ko?

Start with Kare Kare, Tamale Cubano, Lumpia and Croqueta. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Bayan Ko worth visiting?

Bayan Ko holds a 9.4 Google rating from 445 reviews. Bayan Ko is a reliable filipino choice in Ravenswood in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Lumpia and Croqueta also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 445 Google reviews.