The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Chicago Insider
Home›featured-blogs›Chicago Insider›Chicago Insider: Ernest Wilkins on dining at Au Cheval, drinks at Lumen and Revolution, and where to find the “Hangover Killer”

Chicago Insider: Ernest Wilkins on dining at Au Cheval, drinks at Lumen and Revolution, and where to find the “Hangover Killer”

By TheRealChicagoOnline
March 12, 2014
335
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Name: Ernest Wilkins Ernest Wilkins

Occupation: Digital producer at RedEye

How long you’ve lived here: 23 years (not counting two years in Atlanta and three in Tallahassee, FL)

What you like best about Chicago: The “get it done” mentality. There’s a lot less unnecessary BS in this city. Chicagoans are who they are, for better or for worse.

Best meal you’ve had recently: The pan con chicharron sandwich at 4 Suyos in Logan Square. I call it “The Hangover Killer.” It’s good anytime though.

Korean wings at Crisp

Favorite big-name restaurant: Pequod’s and Big Star.

Favorite “hidden gem” restaurant: Crisp. Crisp, Crisp, Crisp. All day, every day.

Best sports bar to catch the game: Two Way Lounge in Logan Square, Anthem (Division), Rebel (Wrigleyville), The Ogden (West Loop) — depends on the team I’m watching.

A great night out with friends usually includes… pre-gaming it at Rossi’s, then heading to dinner. (I don’t go to dinner with more than four people. Life is so much easier that way.) Somewhere like Au Cheval is a good look. Then a stop at Lumen — they take care of me every time I’m there. Lotta love. Late-night eats (Boiler Room, Jubilee, Dimo’s pizza) might happen, then after-hours in my backyard.

Revolution samples

Samples at Revolution Brewpub

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Favorite store or best shopping area: Fat Tiger Workshop, Leaders 1354, Haberdash, the Men’s Store at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The best way to spend a winter Saturday in the city: Hit the Bang Bang Pie Shop for a breakfast sandwich, then grab a stool at the Revolution Brewpub in the early afternoon. Try everything. Go to dinner, catch a Bulls or Hawks game, then take your drunk ass to bed.

One thing every visitor must do here: Leave the Loop.
Secret Chicago spot: Not telling. Yes, that’s lame. No, I don’t care.

Underrated activity in the city: UIC basketball games. Always super cheap, and there’s a bunch of great bars around that way.

What’s one place you hear great things about but have yet to try? Anything that costs a lot of money. A lot of the buzz restaurants are still too rich for my blood.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Tags4 SuyosAnthem ChicagoAu ChevalBang Bang Pie ShopBig StarBoiler RoomCrisp ChicagoDimo's PizzaErnest WilkinsFat Tiger WorkshopHaberdashJubilee ChicagoLeaders 1354LumenMen's Store Saks Fifth AvenuePequod'sRebel WrigleyvilleRevolution BrewpubRossi'sThe OgdenTwo Way Lounge
Previous Article

First Look Review: The captivating Heartbeat of ...

Next Article

Shop Around the Corner: Stationary, scented candles ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider Alice Yau on exploring the 606 trail, burgers at Small Cheval and kayaking the Chicago River

    July 1, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    The Chicago Insider: Bobby Gonzalez on the Purple Pig, Rick Bayless and dancing at The Underground

    June 7, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • We Ask, They Answer

    We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with True Blood’s Nelsan Ellis

    October 10, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Shop Around the Corner

    Shop Around the Corner: Find some hip urban streetwear at Leaders 1354

    June 18, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago InsiderOther Recent Articles

    Chicago Insider: Laura Dietzel on the genius of Jimmy Bannos, farmer’s markets and sitting outside at Big Star

    June 17, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Signature Dishes: The buffalo chicken rolls and turkey on a pretzel at Waterhouse

    June 20, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Rise and dine: Start your day off right at these fun Chicago breakfast joints

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Love is in the air: Romantic spots to spend Valentine’s Day in Chicago

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Down-home Chicago: The search for the city’s best comfort food

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.