Joe Fontelera of Boonie's Shares His Neighborhood Favorites

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Every month, people from Chicago's hospitality industry share recommendations for food, drink, ingredients, and more as part of our Chef Picks series.

Joe Fontelera opened Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant in North Center in 2023 after years of honing his culinary vision in pop-ups and a stall at Revival Food Hall. A Chicago native and second-generation Filipino, Fontelera earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2025 for his tasty and intelligent takes on beloved Filipino classics like the noodle dish pancit canton and the porky sizzling sisig, stirred up at the table for the ultimate eggy experience. 

We asked him for his favorite Chicago neighborhood picks, most of which are right by his restaurant.

Favorite restaurant

My favorite restaurant in Chicago is Sun Wah. I love going there. Especially as an Asian American, the restaurant gives a strong feeling of home. Of course, the food is delicious and the service is incredibly fast, but there’s also a warm, positive energy about the place that’s hard to explain. There’s a unique anticipation and excitement surrounding the Sun Wah experience, especially if you’re getting the duck dinner. When people bring that excitement with them through the doors, it’s hard not to share in it.

Favorite dish

My favorite dish right now is the grilled chicken adobado from Pollo Express. It's so juicy and flavorful and there's something really special about tearing the chicken apart with your hands and putting it in a tortilla that has sopped up all the chicken juices.

Favorite place to drink

My favorite place to get a drink is Backlot Coffee on Montrose Avenue. They've got multiple locations but the Montrose one is just a skip away from Boonie's. It's a cute little neighborhood space with the kindest people.

Favorite place to buy ingredients

My favorite place to shop for ingredients, whether for the restaurant or my home, is Joong Boo Market on Kimball Avenue. I've been shopping there for decades at this point and have gotten to know a fair amount of the staff. It's amazing to both see and receive the commitment they have to doing a good job and providing a service for the community! 

A close second would be Tai Nam Market in Uptown. You can get any Southeast Asian grocery you need, and something about the hustle and bustle of the place, from navigating the parking lot to the actual shopping experience, very much speaks to my DNA.

Favorite local Chicago brand

My favorite Chicago brand is Pink Salt Kitchens by Palita Sriratana. Palita and her team are great and they make a tasty nam prik pao sauce!

A person in the industry you admire

I really admire Lawrence and Raquel Letrero of Bayan Ko. They're such sweet, hardworking, generous people and great role models!