When I'm on vacation, in addition to hitting up all the highly rated restaurants in the area, I also love to check out all the regional fast food chains that we can't get back in Chicago. You got Shake Shack on the east coast, In n Out on the west coast, Checker's in the midwest, Raising Cane's in the south, etc. After finally checking out the legendary In N Out burger a few days earlier, we made our way off the strip to get an old favorite, Jollibee.
Atmosphere: This plaza made me feel like I was back in the PI. When you first walk in the Seafood City grocery, you're greeted with the stench of fresh fish. Ah, I remember that stank. Near the entrance is both a Jollibee and Chow King, and then next door is a Valerios bakery. Pretty mostly everyone there was Filipino and you couldn't help but hear Tagalog everywhere you went. Even the service reminded me of the Philippines, with all the workers being super polite and addressing every customer as sir or ma'am.
Food: Now it's been over 10 years since I've had this in the Philippines, but it still tasted exactly how I remembered. I wasn't that hungry so I didn't go too crazy on ordering. I originally wanted to get the cheese dog but it didn't look like they used those bright red PureFoods hot dogs that I used to love haha. Instead I went with the 2 piece chickenjoy meal. I definitely had to go with the white rice as the side. The chicken had a nice light breading on the outside and the skin was as crispy as can be. They gave a drumstick and a thigh so you know it was gonna be juicy. They don't mess with no white meat around here. The thing that binds it all together though is that gravy. It was thick, bold, and salty...a perfect dipping sauce for the chicken. Chicken + gravy + white rice in every bite...it's a beautiful thing. Some people may think that's a weird combo but just give it a shot.
Overall, Jollibee gave me a nice flashback to the last time I was in the Philippines. Luckily I probably won't have to wait another 10 years before I get it again with a new location opening up in the Chicago suburbs pretty soon.