
There is one place in Chicago that is considered by many Filipino Americans as their “home away from home”. This place is called Rizal Center which is named after the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal (1332 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613). During the last three months, members of the Bayanihan Volunteer Corps put back the auditorium to its rightful place - a safe place for community members to hold dancing, celebrate happy and memorable events, hold forums, or just hang out. We look forward to 2023 to open more programs from health education and training to senior citizens' wellness and recreational programs. Of course, we welcome program suggestions from you. Please send your suggestions to facc.rizalcenter@gmail.com. Mabuhay!
After their hard day’s work, these young people find the time to smile and invite more kababayans to join the Bayanihan Volunteer Corps. Early in the day, they suited their protective masks and gloves, armed themselves with mops and rags cleaning the floors of the lobby.
The work ahead is enormous and overwhelming but it can be done. In the words of Kaya Rial, a young volunteer who participated in reclaiming the building on the night of September 12, 2022, "the condition of Rizal Center is heartbreaking but our Bayanihan collective team will revitalize it and make it a safe space again"
To join the Bayanihan Volunteer Corps, please call Rizalina Velasco-Richmond at 773-541-1725 or email her at sallyvelascor@yahoo.com. To donate cleaning supplies please call Bobby Luna at 773-524-9798 or email him at ncluna2121@gmail.com.
The Rizal Community Center is a multicultural, multigenerational community and cultural center located in Chicago's Lakeview neiighborhood! But it's more than a building. It's a revitalized way of thinking about who we are and how we engage with our community, our neighborhood, and our city.
The Rizal Community Center is a welcoming, dynamic place for people of all backgrounds to come together and participate in cultural experiences that nourish by inspiring learning and dialogue; foster bridging, appreciation, and understanding; celebrate our vibrant, diverse communities, and place in pluralistic American society; and call upon us to help nurture a more just and equitable society.
We do this through relevant programming in arts and culture, civic engagement, public policy, community education, and Filipino life; meaningful service to combat food insecurity and to empower people.
The Rizal Community Center operates under the aegis of the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, one of the oldest cultural organizations in the nation.
SUPER SARAP! CHICAGO FILIPINO-OWNED RESTAURANTS
A Taste of Philippines 131 N Clinton Street
Bayan Ko 1810 W Montrose Avenue
Boonie Foods Revival Food Hall, 125 S. Clark Street
Botanical Cafe, 3740 N. Lincoln Avenue
Bacolod Chicken Haus 6320 North Lincoln Avenue C & D
Cebu 2211 W North Avenue
Hiromi's Oriental Restaurant 3609 W Lawrence Avenue
Kawayan 4859 N Milwaukee Avenue
Kubo Chicago 1232 W Belmont Avenue
Max's Restaurant Chicago 5033 N Elston Avenue
Merla's Kitchen 5207 N Kimball Avenue
Ruby's Fast Food 4551 N Pulaski Rd.
SUBO Filipino Kitchen 4712 N Kimball Avenue
Sunda Chicago 110 W Illinois Street
The Crab Pad 4337 N Western Avenue
Uncle Mike's Place 1700 W Grand Avenue
Wake n' Bacon 420 W Belmont Avenue
This list is by no means comprehensive — but it's a start. If you know of a restaurant or bar that should be added to the list or an update is needed, please let us know and we will be happy to do. Just send us a message on our Contact Us form. You can also email us at
The Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago is providing this information solely as a community service.
Happy Eating!
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