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Saucy Porka

Saucy Porka

Asian Restaurant and Latin American Restaurant$$$$
The Loop, Chicago
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8.4/10
194
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    Has a stamp of approval from Eater and Time Out Chicago
    • Eater
    • Time Out Chicago
  • Tips
    Stephanie S.
    "Paella and chorizo egg rolls are tops: Asian fusion at its best."(8 Tips)
    Casey W.
    "Love the Asian Paella and the donuts especially."(6 Tips)
    John S.
    "... chorizo egg rolls, bao tacos Cubana banh mi, Asian-style paella, and..."(4 Tips)
    BingBing M.
    "miso short rib on rice is sooooooo tender"(8 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon49 Tips and reviews
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  • paella
  • short ribs
  • lively
  • sandwiches
  • good for a quick meal
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  • Jonathan Y.heart icon on user image
    Jonathan YagelOctober 14, 2015
    Asian + Latin fusion!? Nice! Bacos (bao tacos) were okay, but the chorizo egg rolls were crazy delicious & the sweet potato fries were honestly the best I've ever had... Curry dipping sauce, FTW!
  • Eater
    EaterMay 24, 2017
    This popular daytime spot recreates the childhood memories of owner Amy Le and chef Rafael Lopez through blended dishes like bao tacos, “Asian-style” paella, pork carnitas pho and more. Read more
  • Beril E.
    Beril EsenMarch 1, 2016
    Great flavors but high amount of sodium in most dishes. Amazing staff though! Had the miso short rib bowl, chorizo egg rolls, and the friendly staff gave us a tasting of the pozole soup for free (!).
  • Chicago Tribune
    Chicago TribuneApril 10, 2015
    The sweet potato curry fries are not to be missed. Burnt-orange crinkle-cut fries are topped with crumbled queso fresco cheese and paired with a heavenly curry aioli dipping sauce on the side. Read more
  • John S.
    John ShrimpMarch 17, 2018
    Put a twist on lunch at owner Amy Le and chef Rafael Lopez’s Asian-Latin spot. The pair dish out unique fusion bites like chorizo egg rolls, bao tacos Cubana banh mi, Asian-style paella, and more.
  • Peter H.heart icon on user image
    Peter HermanMarch 7, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    This is the greatest place to get lunch in the loop. The Saucy Porka bahn mi is perfect and the bacos are great too. The staff is so friendly and I've never had a bad experience.
  • Chicago Tribune
    Chicago TribuneAugust 1, 2014
    Do not miss out on the chorizo eggroll: slightly crisp shell hiding a sweet and spicy mix of chorizo, Chihuahua cheese, sweet potato and red cabbage, all dipped in an onion avocado aioli. Read more
  • Mattheart icon on user image
    MattJuly 17, 2014
    The short rib is so tender. The Paella is amazing and surprising. Better baos and bahns than the chain down the street!
  • Julia P.heart icon on user image
    Julia ParkAugust 13, 2014
    Friendly staff, inexpensive QUALITY food. Officially one of my favorite places to eat in chicago. I've tried most of their dishes, and all were amazing!!
  • Chicago Tribune
    Chicago TribuneAugust 1, 2014
    Unique menu items include $7 umami nachos (tomato, cheese, scallion, pineapple, and choice of meat) and $3.50 sofrito marinated shrimp (with Asian slaw and served on a bao bun). Read more
  • Terence C.heart icon on user image
    Terence ChanDecember 18, 2014
    Super nice staff. The paella and egg rolls with avocado aiole sauce was delicious. Tasty and unique!
  • Tim C.heart icon on user image
    Tim ChenFebruary 14, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Chef Amy brought the same amazing flavors that make her Duck n Roll truck successful and then some. The Asian paella is a huge lunch but well worth the food coma it's bound to induce
  • Chicagoist
    ChicagoistAugust 30, 2016
    Get the sweet potato-curry fries at Saucy Porka. The crinkle-cuts are showered with queso fresco and green onions and served with dunk-worthy curry aioli. Read more
  • Grace L.heart icon on user image
    Grace LeeMarch 1, 2016
    Fast and friendly service. Had the pozole, Asian paella and short rib baco. Not sure if it's just today, but the flavors would've been nice had they not been overpowered by the extreme amount of salt.
  • Kaitlinheart icon on user image
    KaitlinMay 4, 2018
    Get a baco—a bao taco. I got the carnitas baco with pineapple salsa, delish! Where have these been all my life? Brilliant mashup!
  • Ninah R.heart icon on user image
    Ninah RandolphJuly 23, 2015
    The bacos are great. I especially like the short rib one. Also the saucy porka sandwich. The asian paella is good but a little salty.
  • subtitles f.heart icon on user image
    Asian Paella (really claypot rice) and Pork Ramen Soup (deeply flavorful Pho broth) - both awesome.
  • Yurij B.heart icon on user image
    Yurij BryndziaMarch 7, 2015
    The sandwich by the same name of its establishment is worth the journey alone (but don't count out their bao)
  • Steve F.heart icon on user image
    Steve FunteasNovember 16, 2018
    The Po’boy was tasty and the price was fair. I would definitely recommend this place to a friend.
  • Katie B.heart icon on user image
    Katie BucknerAugust 11, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    I can't think of a better lunch spot than this place. Get there early or late to avoid the rush and eat absolutely anything.
  • Casey W.heart icon on user image
    Casey WintersMay 10, 2013
    Everything I've tried so far is great. Love the Asian Paella and the donuts especially.
  • Time Out Chicago
    Time Out ChicagoDecember 20, 2013
    The tofu Baco at Saucy Porka is one of the 100 best things we ate this year. http://tmout.us/rLOtk Read more
  • Catriona H.
    Catriona HunterNovember 21, 2013
    You must go here! A fusion of Asian and Latin food that is divine. Love the bakos.
  • Ashwin J.heart icon on user image
    Ashwin JacobAugust 5, 2015
    The saucy Porka sandwich is amazing. Love the kimchi they put on their.
  • Jillian B.heart icon on user image
    Jillian BurnickasMarch 19, 2015
    Everything I've ever had here was out of this world. It's a hidden gem.
  • Stephanie S.heart icon on user image
    Stephanie SimonSeptember 3, 2014
    Been here 25+ times
    Paella and chorizo egg rolls are tops: Asian fusion at its best.
  • Max M.heart icon on user image
    Max MossJuly 16, 2016
    Really interesting food, but delicious. Try the chorizo egg rolls.
  • subtitles f.heart icon on user image
    Mojito Lemonade is a superbly refreshing must-have!
  • BingBing M.heart icon on user image
    BingBing ManalotoMay 14, 2013
    the miso short rib on rice is sooooooo tender & exceptional...!!! also the pork ramen...!!!
  • Ari M.
    Ari MargoAugust 11, 2014
    Pork ramen soup smells so good and tastes amazing. Very flavorful!
  • subtitles f.heart icon on user image
    Short Rib on rice is their signature dish - superb.
  • Angie T.
    Angie TrigilioJuly 25, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Short rib baco is solid. And the pork ramen is just perfect.
  • James B.heart icon on user image
    James BroccoliAugust 6, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Obviously, the bacos are delish, but don't pass on the sweet-potato fries
  • Chris S.heart icon on user image
    Chris ShackletonAugust 6, 2014
    Everything on the menu is good.
  • Colin L.heart icon on user image
    Colin LeeSeptember 22, 2019
    Most sandwiches have mayo, fyi
  • Brian K.heart icon on user image
    Brian KitaNovember 4, 2014
    Chorizo egg rolls are the best!
  • Anya K.
    Anya KJune 3, 2013
    Sweet potato fries are so addicting. Love this place.
  • Pat N.heart icon on user image
    Pat NaparsteckMay 14, 2013
    Try the short ribs over rice, big bold flavor.
  • Tony C.
    Tony ChauDecember 28, 2013
    Really fast and really friendly service
  • Jeffrey L.
    Jeffrey LamMay 21, 2013
    The banh mi and Asian paella. Bomb!
  • James B.heart icon on user image
    James BroccoliAugust 10, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Also, the service is great.
  • Michael M.
    Michael MorganMay 28, 2013
    Holy hell. The chorizo egg rolls are delicious!
  • Cy H.
    Cy HodgsonJune 11, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    The soup is unreal-pork Ramen soup
  • Shannon J.heart icon on user image
    Shannon JeropkeNovember 4, 2021
    So much yum!!
  • Robert S.heart icon on user image
    Robert SimmsOctober 18, 2014
    Chorizo egg roll, would kill a man for these things!
  • Jonathan C.heart icon on user image
    Jonathan C.March 15, 2015
    Bacos are awesome.
  • Jack S.heart icon on user image
    Jack StankewiczAugust 14, 2014
    Sandwiches Ramen soup
  • Andy S.
    Andy SpencerSeptember 30, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    This ish is the JAM.
  • Matt C.
    Matt CoyneAugust 13, 2013
    Chorizo egg rolls.
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