Breakfast with Uncle Mike

a Filipino kind of morning

Hi, everyone!

Hope you guys are doing well — just a note, we’ll be off for Memorial Day. I could use a little break, maybe grill some brats, and enjoy the time off. We’re hoping to head up to Wisconsin to see Davida’s family.

Before I get started this week, I’d like to plug a fundraiser for an organization called Inspiration Corporation. It’s a group that supports the local community by assisting with affordable housing, giving out free breakfasts in a restaurant setting, and providing foodservice training with placement support in our very own restaurant ecosystem. This fun little get-together will be in the form of trivia night at Professor Pizza in Old Town (1610 N. Wells), on June 3, at 6:30 to 9 p.m. It’ll be hosted by none other than Andy Carpenter, who’s a Party Cut reader, and a stellar guy all around.

Team registration is $100 per group, with three to five players allowed per team, and you can even participate remotely if you donate separately! And yes, most importantly, there’s prizes involved, including paid subscriptions to The Party Cut, so sign up ASAP.

Today we’re hitting up a diner that’s been in Chicago for over three decades, and while it serves up your usual favorites like pancakes, omelettes, and breakfast platters, most people go for a different part of the menu altogether: Its Filipino breakfast.

It’s likely you’ve at least heard of this restaurant, because it’s a West Town staple that’s super unique — I mean, what other places are there in Chicago that serve this combination of food? But I’d never been, so when my friend Grace suggested it, we caught up over a late morning meal and found that we’ve been sleeping on this diner for years now.