Welcome to Merienda Café
At Merienda Café, we celebrate the rich flavors of Filipino cuisine, rooted in the hometown of our Executive Chef, Cherry Ann, from Pangasinan. Located in Grayslake, IL, our café offers a vibrant menu that highlights beloved dishes like Pigar-Pigar Silog and Korean La Galbi Silog, each crafted with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques. Customers rave about our generous portions, inviting atmosphere, and exceptional service. From the ube crookies to the crispy tofu bites, every dish tells a story, beckoning patrons to return for more. At Merienda Café, we don’t just serve food; we create experiences worth savoring.
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1822 E Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030, United States Hotline: +1 224-252-2106
Welcome to Merienda Café, a delightful culinary gem nestled at 1822 E Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL. This café offers an exceptional experience through its vibrant atmosphere and enticing menu, beautifully capturing the spirit of Filipino cuisine with a modern twist.
At Merienda Café, every dish tells a story, drawing inspiration from traditional Filipino flavors. The menu is a feast for both the eyes and the palate, featuring a variety of appetizers and merienda (snacks) that are sure to impress. Indulge in their Shrimp Siomai, a plate of ten perfectly steamed dumplings served with a choice of in-house chili garlic oil or sweet chili sauce for just $12.95. Or try the Crispy Tofu Bites for a delightful vegetarian option, packed with flavor for only $8.95.
- Atchara Salad - A refreshing pickled green papaya salad with carrots and mango, topped with edible flowers, priced at $4.95.
- Matcha Cream With Fresh Strawberries Croissant - A sweet treat for $7.95.
- Ube Cinnamonroll - A must-try made with in-house ube halaya, ideal to share, at $7.25.
Weekends at Merienda Café unveil a limited-time pop-up menu that showcases culinary delights like the Korean La Galbi Silog and Tocino Glazed Fried Chicken Wings. These dishes represent the chef's dedication to merging Filipino and other global flavors, appealing to a diverse audience. Imagine savoring perfectly fire-grilled beef short ribs or crispy chicken wings glazed in a sweet and savory sauce - it's a taste explosion that invites you back for more.
Customer reviews sing praises of Merienda Café’s robust flavors and inviting service. Daniel Miller states, "The food here is to die for!", while Eric White appreciates the quick service and incredible taste of dishes like the Bulgogi Beef Loaded Fries. Customers rave about the generous portions and quality of food that keep them coming back, even from long distances. Whether it’s the highly recommended Tapa Silog or the refreshing ube milk tea, Merienda Café strives to leave a lasting impression with every bite.
In conclusion, Merienda Café isn't just a place to eat; it’s an experience filled with warmth, flavor, and a touch of Filipino hospitality. With a diverse menu that caters to various tastes and a commitment to quality and service, this café is a must-visit. Plan your outing today, and discover how Merienda Café can turn a simple meal into an unforgettable culinary journey.
Contact: +1 224-252-2106
The food here is to die for! We got the loaded fries and were told that just about everything is as good! The ube milk tea is also a winner.
This place is amazing! Great atmosphere, customer service oriented staff, and the food came out fast, was hot, and tasted great. Pictured below is the bulgogi beef loaded fries and the salt and pepper (spicy) lightly breaded wings. Will be coming back!
Fantastic food and excellent service! Highly recommend their Tapa Fries and Tapa Silog—anything with tapa is a must-try! Their Filipino marinated BBQ chicken is also delicious. My wife and I live 40 minutes away, but we never hesitate to make the drive when we’re craving their food. She also loved their drinks with boba. The service is top-notch—they check in to make sure you’re enjoying your meal, and even the male chef came out to see how we liked the food. A great experience all around! Definitely worth the trip!
We’ve been to this place four times now—three of those visits were on consecutive days! My mom discovered this café during the summer last year, and we were impressed by the quality of the food and the generous portions. Not only is the food delicious, but it’s also incredibly satisfying. Even though we live 45 minutes away, we made it a point to visit again during our stay at Great Wolf Lodge. My husband was so impressed that we ended up having lunch and dinner here, then came back the next day for breakfast before heading home. Their silogs are not only satisfyingly good, but their milk teas are also delicious, and the service is exceptional. We’ll definitely return whenever we’re in the area!
this is the best filopino food and my first meal that made me want seconds! everything was good, the atmosphere, the food, and the employees! would come back again for sure they dont play with the portions.
Delicious food (tocilog, amazing pork) and drink (ube milk tea) and even had a nice chat with the owner’s son who was working behind the counter. I don’t live super close but will definitely come back when I’m in the area.
Called in a To-Go order The worker who answered to phone was very helpful and informative. Also they gave me a call back when my order was ready. I ordered the Adobo ribs silog and bulgogi loaded fries. For the amount of food and quality I received I feel like the price fair, my total was 37.35. The Adobo Ribs Silog with eggs and garlic fried had great flavors. The ribs were cook perfectly and came off the bone easily. slightly fatty but melt in your mouth good. Bulgogi Loaded Fries were also had amazing flavors. The regular spicy sauce was perfect for me. The fry to meat ratio was spot on. I personally like the fries they use cause they are flakey on the outside and soft on the outside. The meat was marinated perfectly. My order was double bagged and stayed hot for a hour after I picked it up for lunch . Also adding a few pictures of the menu they had
Perfect little lunch spot! The cafe is very cute and inviting and the chicken wings were some of the best I've ever had - very meaty, juicy, and perfectly breaded. Everything came out hot and fast, and the refresher I ordered came with real fruit chunks! The service was also very friendly, will definitely be coming back here again!! :)