Grilled Calamari (Inihaw na Pusit)
Isla - Chicago, IL
Fresh squid stuffed with a lot of goodies (tomatoes, onions, etc.) and grilled to perfection. Juicy and tender ... with a side of special vinegar-based dip.
Isla is an unassuming restaurant located in a strip mall on Lawrence west of Lincoln Square. It's a little bit better than most Filipino restaurants in Chicago - white linens, paintings and photographs on the wall, understated color combinations (olive greens and shades), silk flowers, amiable host, fair service. Not your usual over the top, kitsch Filipino baroque restaurants. Because they cook food from scratch (I think), service may be a little bit slower than you want.
Food is terrific though. The menu is ample, mostly traditional Filipino - the usual lumpia (eggrolls), nilaga and tinola (stews), pancit (noodles), adobos, seafoods (fish, shrimp and squid in various ways of cooking) and a medium list of vegetable dishes - all at modest prices (the most expensive is crispy pata - fried pork hocks - for twelve bucks). They have weekly specials at an incredibly low price of $5.99 with a choice of several entrees and side dishes.
Great eating!
Note: I've been back several times since then and every time I was there, they didn't disappoint.
Rating: 
Would you eat here again? Yes
Nice photo and thx for the thorough review - we're getting a nice group of Chicago reviews lately and they all look tasty! Roadtrip for sure as soon as the weather clears!