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Kasama Chicago Reviews
Everyone hypes this place up, and it's even a Michelin star
Everyone hypes this place up, and it's even a Michelin star rated restaurant. The kare kare is good in flavor, but the meatloaf wouldn't be my first choice of protein for this dish even though it does still work. The longanisa breakfast sandwich is great! The egg is fluffy, the bread is pillow-y, and the longanisa really adds so much flavor and depth. I will say that the ube and huckleberry cake is skippable, but it was still fun to try. The red bean coffee was really hyped up, and it disappointed me because the flavors were just off (the coffee was sour, the red bean tasted more like date paste). The service is great! We skipped the line and ordered ahead, so it was ~5 min of waiting for them to make the drinks and get everything ready. Inside is quite small, which is why there is a line even on a random weekday morning. Definitely worth checking out.
Kasama operates as a bakery/café by day and transforms
Kasama operates as a bakery/café by day and transforms into fine dining at night. I didn't try the $295 tasting menu, but I did sample their pastries. With a Michelin star and James Beard Award, it's no surprise this spot is extremely popular. I arrived around 10:30am on a Wednesday and the line was still 50-60 people deep, stretching down the block. Luckily, I'd read you can order pastries online starting at 9am. I placed my order as soon as the site opened, then simply drove over, parked on the street, and had my partner run inside to their pick up window--done in under 10 minutes. We spoke to someone near the front of the line who said they'd already been waiting for over an hour. The pastries were delicious and authentic, but honestly, I wouldn't wait over an hour for them. Ordering online was smooth and totally worth it. If you want the Kasama experience without the wait, skip the line and go with the online order option.
OVERVIEW: 4.
5/5 - With tip, I spent nearly $70 on breakfast for a plate, drink, and two pastries. Arrived on a Sunday morning around 8:30am and waited about 1.5 hrs. in line before we made it through the door to order. There are a handful of tables inside, bar seats, and patio seating. You order immediately at the counter and pay, then find a table to sit at. Pastries and drinks are delivered first, and breakfast entrees follow. The highlight is definitely the pastries and the cafe drinks! I tried the matcha pandan éclair and the truffle croissant. The croissant was very flaky and balanced with truffle and sweet honey flavor; the éclair frosting was great but the rest was just okay. The black sesame matcha latte was one of the best I've ever had. The $19 breakfast plate wasn't my favorite but it wasn't bad. They give you a lot of rice, 1 egg, and your choice of meat. The longanisa wasn't as flavorful as I had hoped, but it was good overall. I would revisit for the pastries and drinks for sure. Note: You can order pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and drinks online/ahead and just pick up. But if you want the full dine-in experience and breakfast menu, you have to wait in line.
Love coming here for brunch.
One of the most delicious place I had in Chicago. The ham and cheese danish is the best I had anywhere. The filipino breakfast is also very good: fragrant garlic rice, juicy sausages and a sunny side up egg. My friends had mushroom and chicken adobos all very flavorful and delicious. Meatloaf was a little too much peanut and too nutty for me. But my friends have enjoyed it nevertheless. Lines could get long depends on when you get there. We got lucky this time. Hope to come back soon.
I was a little bit skeptical (cus im filipino.
Lol.) but had always wanted to try since forever now and Michelin! Finally went back to Chicago, and I am stoked I finally got to go! There was a line and we waited maybe an hour and some change. Went inside and saw the pastries right away. Lemme tell you, you cant go wrong with any of the baked goods. I devoured those later that night. Boston cream was my fave! So, after going in to the heavebly display of pastriea, you go to the cashier and let them know you wanna sit at a table. We sat at the bar and got seated right away. But before we sat, we ordered our food at this cashier and our pastries then paid. Interesting concept, but I liked it. Quick and easy. Ambiance was like a small diner but more modern. The vibe was chill. Everyone was working their butts off and making sure they got to every customer. The service was great! Sooo, coffee x kalamansi juice. I was surprised. It was so tasty!! I finished it so quickly. Who would've thought with that combo? Please try! We ordered the pork belly adobo, kasama combo sandwich, and the kare kare meatloaf. First we tried the pork belly adobo. 10/10. This is a little bias, but it reminded me of my dads dry adobo. I felt like a kid again. Perfectly soft and tender porkbelly with the right amount of adobo taste. The Kasama combo sandwich.. man. This was bombbbb. 9/10. Flavorful! Familiar! Different! Long ass longanisa hiding under all that shaved pork! Meatloaf kare kare. 6.5/10 Now, I can tell the bagoong is already mixed in and the sauce was pleasant. I actually liked it, but I know some people arent fans of that shrimp taste. Luckily, its in the description. What didnt really work for me was the meatloaf. Maybe im just used to beef and oxtail? I just didnt care for meatloaf. If it was oxtail instead, I know it would've been fire. No hate tho, I still ate it all. Im giving this place 5 stars. Everything seemed top notch and my experience was very nice. Do not skip on Kasama!
We waited for ~1.
5hrs to dine in on a Saturday. We lined up around 11am and ordered at 12:20pm. Drinks and pastries came out immediately after we sat down and food came shortly after. The service is quick, nothing special. We ordered the ube latte, ube and huckleberry cake, banana tart, Filipino breakfast, and the pork belly adobo. The drinks and pastries are 5/5! The ube&huckleberry cake has a nice crispy and crunchy outside with a soft jam filling. The balance of tart and sweetness is great. The banana tart was my favorite because it tastes just like banana with a hint of cinnamon. The tart is crumbly and crisp to the bite, but it was tough to cut through. The ube latte tastes more of coconut than ube but the coffee is still good. The food on the other hand was like a 2/5. I think it's a good introduction to Filipino food but it doesn't have the authenticity. My partner (is Filipino) said they were missing the base flavors of what authentic Filipino food would be and it felt as if they were just splashing a bit of vinegar to add on. Tocino from the breakfast tasted more like Chinese bbq (char siu) and longanisa was missing depth of flavor. The pork belly didn't taste like adobo, more like just soy sauce only but it was very soft and tender. Price point for the food isn't great either because Filipino food isn't that costly when making at home. Would come back to try other pastries but would not order the food.
Meatloaf was amazing - i loved it.
chocolate chip cookie - pretty forgettable and disappointing. Foie Gras Danish was SUPER disappointing and i love foie gras. Pecan Sticky Bun was alright Ube & Coconut "Ensaymada" was pretty yummy. i tried my friends items they ordered and i thought my meatloaf was far superior to what they ordered. staff was friendly when i popped my head in to grab my order and utensils. I would definitely come back for the meatloaf and try the other pastries.
or I'm used to Asian and Filipino food being a certain way.
Or maybe I'm not the intended audience. The quality of the ingredients is there, but maybe the execution isn't for me. Chicken Adobo was tender and juicy, but not amazing. I feel like I had better chicken thighs from the Labor Day family gathering 3 days prior. Same with the garlic rice. The texture was on, but some sauce or more garlic might have been better for me. I probably would opt for another dish on my return. Same with the Filipino Breakfast, there are some great elements and aspects to dish, but also parts where I'm left wanting more. The BBQ pork was tasty and I liked the crisp finish, but it was also dry and sort of tough. The longanisa sausage was the tastiest meat of the day, great texture and ground. The egg was perfectly cooked and helped flavor the garlic rice. I realized after finishing this dish, that it's like the Asian rice plates I'm used to, like a legendary 554 from Seven Treasures, RIP, but 3x the price. I think this brings up the debate of paying for more doesn't correspond to equivalent level of quality or enjoyment. Like, the taste needs to be a certain threshold better to justify itself. This dish also doesn't do that. The Ube Huckleberry Cake was the tastiest item of the day. Great crust contrasted with playful texture of soft gooey. Tangy berries, sweet Ube, and the powdered sugar came together really well. I really want to give this place 5 stars and see Kasama keep killing it, so I'll be returning for a dine in meal soon.
Worth the hype.
I think you should online order if you don't care about sitting inside and enjoying your meal there. Their specialty pastries are 100000% the move. If you see the matcha pandan eclair, ORDER IMMEDIATELY. The longganisa sandwich was delicious, I split it and felt like it was the perfect amount of savory. Thought the chicken adobo could be skipped (a little too sweet and coconut heavy for me). Their matcha with tamarind was actually not good though, def a skip.
Wow, this place was really busy.
Waited in line for two hours and got the longganisa sandwich, ube coffee, and banana bread (they sold out of the other baked goods that I wanted). Longganisa sandwich - Found the longganisa itself a little salty but it also just tasted like regular to me and nothing too fancy or over the top. The bread was nice and soft (not sure if it's supposed to be similar to pandesal). 4/5 Ube coffee - I really liked this one, strong flavours and not overly sweet. I would get this everyday. 5/5 Banana bread - This one was really good as well, not very sweet and pairs really well with the coffee (or even on its own). 5/5 Service was also great, I forgot the manager's name but she was really nice. The inside is cozy and there's not much seating (they do have seating outside). Overall, good experience, worth the wait. Would stop by again and try to sit in.
Delicious food!
Loved their breakfast and dinner service. Recommend the crème fraiche cheesecake, mushroom adobo, coconut ube ensaymada and dinner tasting menu! Great customer service as well!
Is any place worth a one-hour queue?
British people love waiting in line, but 60+ minutes feels a little excessive. That said, I was on holiday and knew it would be popular, so I was pretty chilled about the experience. The queue is understandable when you see how small it is inside, but the staff seem to do a good job at serving people as quickly as possible. Granted, I just ordered a pastry and an iced coffee, but they were with me within a few moments. I was spoilt for choice, but opted for the truffle croissant, mainly to say I'd tried it. A bit too truffley for my tastes, but the viennoiserie was well baked. I went for the iced ube latte and it was my first experience of the flavour - I'm a fan. The purple tone is fun and the nutty taste is delightful.
Kasama enables cheaters to cut their 2+ hour wait lines
We spent over 2 hours in line this morning waiting for breakfast. While we waited, we witnessed a number of people entering the dining area through a gap in the fence to join parties where someone else had ordered for them. Essentially, these diners were skipping the line taking up tables and service which slowed down the wait for those of us still in line. Why does Kasama allow this practice?
You'll wait, you'll pay, you'll enjoy the food
Surely benefited in popularity by a Season 2 spot on "The Bear" Kasama features the work of Genie Kwon and Tim Flores, stints at Michelin-starred Boka and Oriole yielding a Tasting Menu dinner and more casual daytime menu spotlighting Filipino fare. Already the recipient of their own star, a 2024 Outstanding Service Award as well, it is in a relatively quiet part of West Town that guests begin lining up ninety minutes prior to opening for a taste of everything from Kwon’s impeccable Pastries to traditional Lumpia from Flores. Not really designed for such success, a single entrance with two-way traffic creating confusion for both first-timers and guests who’ve pre-ordered take-out, it was after nearly an hour and a half in line that a party of two ordered from the counter prior to being assigned a small table. Quiet amidst the crowds, a Tagalog definition of “together” embodied by close seating with the kitchen mere feet from diners plus Kwon and Flores’ marriage of concepts, Coffee and Pastries arrive quickly with both the Ube-infused “Oh, Hot Yam!” and Cheese-stuffed Viennoiserie featuring Truffle and Honey particularly memorable. Spendy compared to other Chicago joints serving less elevated versions of the same, a $3.25 Hashbrown no better than McDonald’s, Kare-Kare at Kasama eschews Offal in favor of umami-packed Meatloaf with flavor surprisingly similar while the “Combo Sandwich” riffs on Italian Beef with shaved Pork, Filipino Sausage and fiery housemade Giardiniera.
Good breakfast, try for dinner reservation instead
Definitely order ahead no matter what, the line was out the door even late morning on a thursday. The breakfast sandwhich was great and the pastries looked incredible. This place was raved about and it appears like their dinner menu (reservation only) is top notch.
A disappointing Michelin experience
As a Filipino, we were excited to try Kasama, especially given its Michelin recognition, but we were left feeling a bit let down. Despite a 1.5-hour wait, which is often expected for popular spots, the food itself didn’t taste as authentic as we had hoped. Filipino cuisine has such vibrant, complex flavors, and we felt Kasama’s dishes lacked that essence and authenticity. The presentation was also underwhelming — I noticed other diners receiving sandwiches wrapped in foil, handed over casually even though they were dining in. It felt out of place for a Michelin restaurant. We tried their pastries hoping that it might be the reason behind the Michelin recognition but they didn’t impress. We ordered a Boston cream and were surprised that there was no cream or custard or any filling inside but just bread and chocolate cover on top. Another surprise was the added 5% employee healthcare tax on the bill. While I understand tipping, it was confusing to see customers shouldering their employee’s healthcare costs as well. Overall, Kasama had potential but didn’t quite meet the mark. For the hype and the wait, I was expecting an experience that would truly honor Filipino flavors.
Worth It
We normally do not seek out fancy multi-course meals but we made an exception on this one. We couldn’t get a reservation during a previous trip to Chicago so we made sure we reserved 45 days out this time. Yes, the splurge was worth it. The tasting menu is served only at dinner and consists of 13 courses and a take-away gift (Basque cake). Although each course was modest in size, we ended up feeling really full at the end. You do not get a list of the tasting menu at the beginning of the meal so you look forward to the next course and get blown away as the meal progresses. I was really impressed with the work and thought that went into the courses which were inventive but flavorful. One regret was doing the non-alcoholic pairing which you do not really need. We appreciated the simplicity of the setting, very homey and not flashy compared to other Michelin places. Next day we wanted to try their breakfast and bring home some of their highly-rated pastries but the servers recommended to just order for pick-up because the lines could be very long. They do not offer reservations for the day service and we were surprised that the line extended more than 3 blocks when we picked up our orders (2 hours after placing them). Their breakfast is not something to write home about but all the pastries were outstanding.
I went to the restaurant at 9:45 am on a weekday and there
I went to the restaurant at 9:45 am on a weekday and there was a really long line outside. I had to wait for an hour to get a table. The food was really good though, especially the pastries. I wouldn't wait in a cold for an hour for this kind of food because we can easily find similar quality at cheaper prices. I'd definitely recommend the pastries though, and you can skip the line if you get them to go.
We went on a Thursday afternoon and there was a ~10 minute
We went on a Thursday afternoon and there was a ~10 minute wait. The service was quick and the staff were friendly. There was some outdoor seating available so we were seated right after ordering. Breakfast sandwich with longanisa, egg, and cheese (4/5): I liked how the egg was made (steamed or souffléd maybe?) -- I've never had it like that in a breakfast sandwich before. The soft texture of the egg was slightly dominated by the longanisa, though. Black sesame coconut macaroon (5/5): Loved this! It was a great macaroon with great texture, and they incorporated the black sesame quite well. The outside was crispy and the inside was softer and had a stronger black sesame flavor. Oatmeal cream pie (3/5): Unfortunately, wasn't a big fan of this. It was dulce de leche cream and fruit preserves sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies. Overall, it was too sweet for me. I hoped that the fruit preserves would have balanced out the sweetness from the other components, but in my opinion, it was not tart enough and was pretty sweet itself. Ube and huckleberry basque cake (5/5): The edges were crispy and the inside was cakey and soft. The ube/huckleberry combination was delicious and clever. Ube is a sweeter and richer flavor and it balanced well with the tartness of the huckleberry.
There are not many places that live up to their hype but
There are not many places that live up to their hype but Kasama does just that. The Maíz con Leche was sooo good. You aren't getting a coffee like that at any other place. The pastries were some of the best I've ever had. The stand out to me was the banana because it was everything a banana and tart lover would look for and then some. The matcha pandan eclair was also just a fun time and is a must try if you like creamy desserts and unique flavors. There were no misses. I am glad I don't live next to Kasama because I would be broke broke and eat sweets every single day. Can't wait to go back!!!!
5 stars just for the croissant.
No, literally. That's all I want for breakfast, anything else ehhhh... if I have to. Kasama offered many different pastries as well as breakfast/lunch items and made deciding what to order very hard. I will say this place is popping and there will most likely be a wait. I think we arrived around 12:30, seated about an hour later and finished the meal at/around 2 (kitchen/seating closes at 2). As we were leaving there were till people waiting to go in, I definitely was nervous in line and even thought we were too late for a meal. I would definitely try and plan accordingly based on that or look into ordering online earlier on in the day if you are okay with taking it to go.
the line was out the door for this place as you've probably
the line was out the door for this place as you've probably seen in reviews but i can say the wait was well worth it!! small and quaint restaurant with friendly staff and delicious food. my friend and i both had the filipino breakfast with longanisa and it was soo yummy. my friend is filipina and she said it's just like her mom's at home. the matcha latte was creamy and flavorful. definitely can't wait to go back and try more items especially from their bakery!
I ordered ahead of time online to avoid the line, which I
I ordered ahead of time online to avoid the line, which I would recommend. I got the breakfast sandwich with longanisa, egg, cheese, and a hashbrown. It was good but definitely not worth waiting in line for (online ordering was a blessing). Honestly, I enjoy salty foods but I think the sandwich was a bit too salty for even my tastebuds; I think it was due to the longanisa. The items are a bit on the pricier side for what they are. I would likely return to try other items or when I am craving that sandwich.
Ok lines are definitely no joke for brunch-----get there as
Ok lines are definitely no joke for brunch-----get there as early as possible to minimize the wait in the sun during the summer! We got there around 8:45 on a Sunday so around 15ish minutes before opening and we got to the front around 10am. Ube latte was a lot better than I expected -so yum and refreshing!! The breakfast sandwich is exactly as described (and you def got to add the hash brown), and it's really just a breakfast sandwich executed to perfection. I personally was expecting the longanisa to be a little sweet, but it really wasn't at all FYI! Definitely savory through and through. To me, however, the real star of the show were the pastries. How lucky was I to visit during mango season!!! That mango tart is heaven and made me so proud of this restaurant as a pinoy. I got the ensaymada to go, and yeah this is definitely not your local red ribbon ensaymada haha. The ube filling was a little too sweet but I was simply impressed with how well it held up after carrying it throughout the streets of Chicago for 5 hrs. Wish my stomach was large enough to taste more pastries, but alas!!! If I ever visit again for brunch, I'd probably just order to go btw, their brunch menu is pretty simple. Super glad Kasama is contributing to the Filipino food renaissance currently happening across the country, and hopefully, when I return, it'll be for their dinner service!!
Breakfast items were good but not excellent.
Mango tart is phenomenal. I would say the pastries are worth the wait; however, the breakfast entrees are not noteworthy and you almost felt like you were getting ripped off for what you paid for garlic rice and a small portion of just fried sausage. Needed something to break up the carbs and oil. The coffee was average and the match tea with roasted rice was a tea bag. The stand-out pastry was the mango tart and almost everyone had it on their table.
I was finally able to reserve a table for two for the
I was finally able to reserve a table for two for the Tasting Menu. Yes, the cost is equivalent to a round trip airfare to the East Coast, but you're paying, not just for the food, but also for the experience. (At least that's what I tell myself, so I feel better for spending so much). It was a Sunday evening, so not only was there street parking right out front, but it was FREE. Yay! The outside was not what I expected; it was a very plain, dark grey building. I don't even remember seeing signs besides a piece of paper on a glass door. You walk in, and it's a cute little spot. Small tables along the side facing a bar and/or kitchen. We were seated and greeted by a friendly waiter. He provided us with drink menus in which I ordered the "Calamansi Sour." I tried to let that $20 glass last the whole meal but ended up getting another one near the end. It was really delicious. The waiter explained to us how the tasting works. Apparently, the menu changes often, and every course that comes out is supposed to be a "surprise."" Considering the people next to us started about 30 minutes ahead, we kinda knew what was coming, but that didn't keep our mouths from being surprised. I am not going to go over every course we had (check out my pictures), but I can tell you it was a 4D experience. The sight, the smell, the taste, and even the feel (think...pop rocks in your mouth) was exquisite. No, it does not LOOK like the type of Filipino food my mom makes, but it sure did TASTE like it, maybe even better. Each course is brought out by different people and explained well. I can see the time and energy used to just put together one plate, almost like I was eating someone's artwork. Perfection! As an added bonus, we were given a small cake to take home! The cake had the Filipino Sun on it, which made me really feel at home. Thanks, Kasama. You made this Pinay very happy and proud.
Went there Saturday, waiting in line before they opened.
Got a few breakfast sandwiches, a mango tart, ham and cheese danish and foie gras danish. Can't even put into words just how delicious everything was. I would make the three hr drive just for this place.
So so good 😊
So so good - I had never tried huckleberries before but I’m addicted! The Ube Huckleberry basque cake was sooo good - I just wish i could come here more often if it was closer I’d be here every day! Delicious
The pastries are AMAZING
The pastries were the bomb! Absolutely amazing. It was worth the hour long wait. The mango tart had THE freshest mangoes outside the Philippines and was absolutely delicious. I loved the chocolate croissant with chocolate ganache instead of solid chocolate. The ube basque cake was beautiful decorated with the filipino flag in powdered sugar. The whoopie pie was a hit, too. The savory dishes were good, too, but not much different from most other good filipino restaurants that serve breakfast.
WORTH THE HYPE!! I am in love with the ube latte and the
WORTH THE HYPE!! I am in love with the ube latte and the breakfast sandwich. It has a soft potato bun, folded egg, cheese, and I got mine with longanisa and a hash brown on the side. It's incredible, especially with a little hot sauce. But the longansia itself adds so much flavor to the breakfast sandwich - unlike any other breakfast sandwich I've tried! The use latte is the perfect level of sweetness but you can still taste the coffee and ube in it. The pastries are so unique and we loved everything we tried! The ube huckleberry cake is my favorite you have to get it! Tip: Don't wait in the long line, just place your order online for pick-up and you can skip the line to go pick up your order at the time they give you!
I got the Filipino breakfast.
It was good. I probably wouldn't come here just for it. I could probably make it at home tbh. But I would like to come back and try some other things on the menu. There was a line when we got there but it was moving fairly quick so we weren't waiting too long. We got seated outside which was nice but can be a little too hot if you're there in the summer.
The wait was worth it.
We had pastries and the Filipino breakfast. Super delicious and reminds me of home. Garlic fried rice and the pickled papaya!! The place looked so cute too and the staff were very friendly
We went in for their dinner experience and I have to say
We went in for their dinner experience and I have to say the menu was amazing. The Filipino menu with fine dining aspect was really different. I loved the adoption of the kare kare with lamb and the sinigang adoption with salmon. I couldn't pick anything to be the highlight because everything was. The cocktails were also great with addition of ube, calamansi, and coconut flavors. The service was good and the place was cozy. The desserts had a few pastry items that are offered for purchase during breakfast service times. I would recommend going if you're trying to find a new fine dining experience!
Utterly horrendous customer service.
No way to actually reach them by any means over the phone. Placed a pick up order wait time stated 30 mins, after the placement of the order at 11:15 it said 1:30 pm pick up! I dont care how good the food is, the fact that they actively choose to treat their customers in such manner on ridiculous lines (I previously attempted to go on a rainy day in person, ~50 people were washed away in the wind trying to place their order!) and unimaginable wait times for pick up shows blatant sign of disrespect for people that keep their business running. Anyone who supports this imo (myself included apparently today!) is just simply being fooled. Never again will I "dine" here. Again; your food can be outstanding, you may have made some epic list, and may have been on some hot new restaurant list, this doesn't mean you get to disrespect your customers. Period.
First time at a Michelin starred restaurant and I'm so glad
First time at a Michelin starred restaurant and I'm so glad it was here. It was so neat for me to try food that my friend grew up eating together. We tried the Filipino breakfast, lumpia, and an assortment of pastries. Everything was so delicious! The ube and coconut ensaymada was amazing and so was the ube and huckleberry cake! It does take a while to get your food. We opted for ordering out instead of waiting in the line. But waiting for our food inside was so neat. You can see back into the kitchen and the vibe is so calming and cool. The staff was incredibly welcoming and helpful. Everyone just seemed super happy to be there. I recommend for anyone in the area!
When i say the food was amazing.
..sheesh. we got the as takeout and even with the delay the food was perfect. The flavor and taste combination was perfect. The service was great even though it was super crowded. Outside of the wait time i have no complaints. Its definitely a cool vibe. Its not a huge place but its still gives a intimate vibe
Finally tried food from Kasama! My friend did a pickup
Finally tried food from Kasama! My friend did a pickup order from the store. I had heard great things about the Ube and Huckleberry Cake and the Truffle Croissant. The Truffle Croissant was great! Loved the subtle taste of truffle in the filling. I loved the addition of the honey sugar pearls as well. The croissant itself was very flaky and tasted fresh. The Ube and Huckleberry berry cake was ok in my opinion. I loved the tough exterior of the cake with the gooey filling, but the filling was just basic. It didn't taste either of Ube or huckleberry and I was a bit disappointed with that. The cake by itself was really delicious though. The powdered sugar design on the cake was too cute. The service was fast as we had placed a pickup order. The ambience is nice and classy! No wonder this place was shown on 'The Bear' show.
Congratulations to Kasama for being the first Filipino
Congratulations to Kasama for being the first Filipino restaurant and bakery to earn a Michelin star! I have yet to try their entrees but the pastries are divine. The menu will get your mouth watering. We had to come here twice just to sample the desserts on our wish list but let me tell you, most of what you will order will not disappoint. Word of mouth spreads like wildfire. It is true the lines are long and I'm not surprised by the insane wait times. If you are willing to do takeout, that would be your best bet as you can order their breakfast/brunch menu, drinks and desserts the morning of off their website. They typically open online orders right at 9am. I believe they use the Tock app for orders but it's super easy and after ordering you are given a designated time slot for pick up. Once it's your time for pickup you can avoid the lines (because those are mainly for dine-in eaters who want the full-on experience) and just walk in and hang right once you enter the 2nd door. Pickups are on that side towards the end. Just head in the direction with all the takeout bags and boxes. Give any one of the employees near that side behind the counter your order number and off you go to enjoy some of the most amazing treats/meals ever. Everyone is going to have their favorites but for desserts we loved: * Any of their savory Danishes * Chocolate Caramel Tart * Kouign Amann * And the Ube Huckleberry Basque Cake I can't wait to dive into their breakfasts too. Kasama you've done well. Thank you for putting Chicago on the map for having one of the best Filipino restaurants in the nation!
Felt like our tocino was a bit drier this time.
Everything else was great as expected! Chicken adobo delicious and flavorful. Ordered take-out which took about 1 hour and 30 minutes - be sure to order ahead! Tried the corn milk tea which was sooo delicious esp if you are a fan of corn! I got it hot and it was cozy. Not too sweet. The red bean sesame cold brew was not bad - husband enjoyed it - I wish there was a stronger red bean taste. The apple pastry was OK - I've had better. It wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as their other pastries! Could have more filling and more apples in it.
Waited an hour in the rain on a Friday morning but worth it.
Their Ube latte is really good -not too sweet and you can actually taste the flavor. Their black sesame latte was just the same and so dang good. Their chicken adobo and mushroom adobo are amazing and their portions were extremely filling. Their pastries were great to take home to enjoy. This place deserved their one star Michelin. Place is popping but if you just want the food only you can order ahead online or else you're going to have to wait a while to sit down.
I’ve had better
Quite disappointing for a Michelin star restaurant. Obviously the person who did the review and gave the star has no forethought or concept of Filipino food. As a true Filipino I’ve had better. First clue for me when I walked in no Filipino in the restaurant tells me it’s OK. 2nd riding the hype with over priced menu is a farce. I will admit the pastries are good, but all in all the food is very pedestrian, definitely wouldn’t go back or recommend it.
Check them out for breakfast!
A must visit if you’re in Chicago. I’ve only visited for breakfast, but after 5 visits I can say this is consistently a memorable experience and they are often innovating different pastries. Weekends offer some extra menu options but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Make sure to order some extra pastries to go and I’d recommend the Black Truffle Croissant. In my experience, arriving 30 min to an hour before they open has always gotten me a spot towards the front of the line and have been seated within 15 min of opening. It’s worth the wait.
The Food Shines Impressively Here.
Kasama is a Michelin-starred bakery and modern Filipino restaurant located in the East Ukraine neighborhood of Chicago. The eatery personalizes takes on Filipino cuisine and serves a range of food fare from kare kare (peanut based stew) to bagoong (shrimp paste). The design of the facilities embraces an impressive kitchen framed by a counter whose diners watch the crew's theatre unfold. Banquettes tucked under the windows make for comfy seats. Not really knowing most of the innards of the food catalog, I took a change on the Pork Belly Adobo.........and what a masterfully flavorful dish. My sweet tooth was deliciously satisfied with a Berry Creme Fraiche Cheese Cake and washed down with a Modelo. The food shines impressively here.
Very good but not worth the wait
We had previously been to Kasama for dinner which I didn't review but was outstanding so we had high expectations coming for breakfast. To start, we ignored all of the online advice and showed up around opening on a saturday morning. The line was already down the street. We waited about an hour and 45 minutes to get in. Overall, I would say it was very good but certainly not worth the wait - although I don't think anything would be worth that long of a wait. The standouts were the foie gras croissant and the combination sandwich which is kasama's ode to the Chicago beef. The combination of the shaved pork adobo and longanisa sausage with the hot giardiniera works perfectly together and is, in my opinion, better than almost any Chicago beef sandwich I've had. I ordered the combo sandwich to go just because I felt like I had to order a lot given how long I waited but if I didn't I would have been pretty disappointed with the rest of breakfast. As it relates to breakfast, the biggest disappointment was the breakfast sandwich. I was a bit underwhelmed. It was small and seemed a bit mass produced. I've honestly had many better breakfast sandwiches and in my opinion, you can't have a great one without a fried egg. My wife ordered the adobo mushroom breakfast with a fried egg and it was fine if a little uninspiring. We ordered several pastries to take home and they are really the stars of the show at Kasama. If I was to go back, I would probably go on a Wednesday morning in February during a snow storm or just ordered pastries and iced coffees to go.
FIRST TIME CHICAGO #2: TASTING MENU AT THE FIRST FILIPINO MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANT
When we think about Michelin Star restaurants what comes to mind are French restaurants because the Michelin Guide was originated in France. Throughout the years there have been many different types of cuisine to earn a Michelin Star. How does a certain cuisine get recognize with a Michelin Star without sacrificing the integrity of that cuisine? The last time I ate at a Michelin Star restaurant was well before COVID. I was going to Chicago in mid-September for three days. Last July I made the reservation for myself for the tasting menu on Thursday September 15. Also when I made the reservation I noted that the occasion was for my birthday, which was exactly a week before. When I arrived in Chicago on that Thursday prior to coming to Kasama I had a light lunch. My dinner at Kasama consisted of a 13-course meal. There's a saying about first impression and that was more evident when the first course was kinalaw, which is a Filipino version of ceviche. What made the kinalaw at Kasama stand out was it had caviar. OMG! When I ate that first course I knew Kasama wasn't playing around with the tasting menu. The second course was lumpia. It wasn't an ordinary lumpia but inside a spring roll that added a crunchy texture. The third course was nilaga. The broth of the nilaga at Kasama was one of the two best broths I've ever had a Filipino restaurant. That broth had an intense beef flavor yet I felt as if I was drinking tea. When I posed the question about "sacrificing the integrity of that cuisine" the next course was a "make or break" moment for the tasting menu. The soimai had foie gras, which is my fourth favorite food in the world. I was worried if the foie gras was more about pleasing the Michelin inspectors instead of elevating the integrity of Filipino cuisine, but the siomai at Kasama also had duck. Anytime I have foie gras I also order duck so having two ingredients in one dish made that course satisfying. I mentioned about the broth of the nilaga was one of the two best broths I've ever had at a Filipino restaurant - the other was the adobo at Kasama. For most Filipinos adobo is their favorite Filipino food, but not me as I have a love-hate relationship with that dish as the broth is too soupy or the dish is too oily. Most adobos have pork or chicken as the main ingredient. Yet the main ingredient for the adobo at Kasama was maitake mushroom, which accentuated the adobo broth. That adobo broth at Kasama should be the standard of any adobo. If adobo at Kasama was serve regularly at other Filipino eateries or family parties then adobo would be my favorite Filipino food. The next course is my not only my favorite Filipino food but also my favorite food in the whole world - sinigang. The sinigang at Kasama didn't look as most sinigangs I've had in the past yet the broth had that sour, tangy taste that I've come to love. I'm not a fan of pancit but the pancit at Kasama had squid ink similar to an Italian pasta. Kare-kare is in my top five favorite Filipino dish as the combination of the peanut sauce with oxtail and beef tripe adds a rich, hearty dish. What was intriguing at the kare-kare at Kasama was the use of lamb belly, which was another OMG moment. The peanut sauce look like chili oil but there was a distinct peanut flavor I've come to recognize with kare-kare. The last meat dish I had bistek. Traditional bistek is a well-done sirloin steak yet a rare A5 wagyu was meat of choice at Kasama for their bistek. This was the last OMG moment for my meal. I've never had A5 wagyu before and to have it for bistek at Kasama was a great first introduction. Yet I can still taste the calamansi and carmelized onions of the bistek I've come to known. Now came the desserts. I would never expect shaved truffles at a Filipino restaurant but I at Kasama I had truffle croissant. Banana desserts in Filipino cuisine can be too tarty for me but at Kasama the caramelization of the banana softened that tartness. I mentioned I made the reservation for my birthday. For the halo-halo it was presented with a candle. I also got two gifts I received for my birthday. First was a compliment ube huckleberry Basque cake, which is their most popular pastry at Kasama. Second was a signed autograph from both owners on the tasting menu. What is Kasama? From appearance the food doesn't look Filipino. Yet if you took a blind taste test you can recognize the Filipino flavors. I have eaten at thirteen Michelin Star restaurants. Maybe I'm biased because I'm Filipino but Kasama is my second favorite Michelin Star restaurant. Even though Kasama serves brunch I recommend eating at Kasama for dinner to experience Filipino flavors in their tasting menu. Kasama as the world's first Filipino restaurant to earn a Michelin star is an eatery that makes Filipinos proud of their cuisine.
Filipino Breakfast
Delicious breakfast! I enjoyed the Filipino breakfast with longanisa sausage. The Uber and Huckleberry Basque cake for dessert. Ordered while waiting in line and did takeout.
Worth the wait!
Get here early, they do sell out. You will have to stand in line, and it is worth every bit of it! I highly recommend the Filipino mixed breakfast and of course the lumpia. All the pastries looked amazing! We had a hand pie, and it was amazing!
Delicious rice! Worth the journey
Amazing breakfast here. I loved the way they seasoned and cooked their rice - you know a place is great when they can get something so simple so right. Well worth the journey to get out here for a bite. Line wasn’t too bad on a weekday, and overall moved pretty fast.
Ordered takeout for breakfast on the weekend and everything
Ordered takeout for breakfast on the weekend and everything was delicious! The Ube latte had a medium sweetness and good flavor from the yam and coconut milk. The breakfast sandwich was fresh and the hash brown was perfectly crisp even after the drive home. Would definitely recommend takeout to avoid the long lines.
Authentic langgonisa.
Will definitely be back to taste bakery goods we missed and have breakfast in a small but cozy restaurant.
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Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Kasama Chicago at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Kasama Chicago page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* DistinguishedTree58, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* DistinguishedTree58 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to DistinguishedTree58 for any questions Peter may have as DistinguishedTree58 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* DistinguishedTree58 now uses their connections at Kasama Chicago to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If DistinguishedTree58 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, DistinguishedTree58 receives the $200 reward which is credited to DistinguishedTree58's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Kasama Chicago!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
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