Over the past few years, Chicago has welcomed New York City–based burger chain Shake Shack, Syracuse's Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Memphis restaurant Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken to the city's limits (not to mention the first Olive Garden you can ride the El to). Later this year, yet another chain will open up shop in Chicago: the popular Filipino fast food restaurant Jollibee.
According to a report from Eater Chicago, the city's first Jollibee restaurant will open in North Mayfair at 5033 N Elston Avenue later this year. The location will be the second Jollibee restaurant in Chicagoland—the chain's first Midwest location is scheduled to open in suburban Skokie in July. Since it was founded in the Philippines in 1978, Jollibee has opened more than 900 restaurants around the world, including locations in California, New York, Texas and Hawaii.
Known for its fried chicken and sweet spaghetti, Jollibee's menu boasts dishes that will seem a bit outlandish to anyone who is accustomed to the usual fast food slate of burgers, fries and shakes. From noodles covered in garlic sauce, pork, shrimp and hard-boiled eggs to a condensed milk drink called Halo-halo topped with flan and shaved ice, there's plenty of dishes at Jollibee for adventurous eaters to explore.
Keep an eye out for Jollibee's famous mascot (a bee wearing a chef's hat, naturally) and get ready to chow down on chicken and spaghetti when the restaurant opens later this year.