Big Jones Has Best Fried Chicken in Chicago?!

Yes, according to the June issue of Bon Appetit, which placed it high on its list for Top 10 Best Places for Fried Chicken in the country:

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

R&B siren Erykah Badu headlines two shows at the Chicago Theatre Wednesday and Thursday.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:

Erykah Badu at Chicago Theatre. Pleeeeease, Ms. Badu, try to keep your clothes on during the entire show! The tour's approps named Out My Mind, Just In Time, so expect her to perform songs from new album, New Amerykah Part Two, as well as Baduizm and Mama's Gun. N.E.R.D. and Janelle Monae open. 7:30pm Wednesday, Thursday. Get tickets here.

BIN 36: The new artisanal cheese flights are a delight, particularly the super-creamy Fat Cats, blue cheese-focused No Need To Sing The Blues or worldly We Love Italy collections. Prices range $12-$22 per flight. Proximity to show: Two blocks north; five-minute walk.

Disgruntled Diner Creates 'Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot' Facebook Page

(Photo: Graham Elliot)


A diner didn't like his experience at River North resto graham elliot, so he decided to send owner/chef Graham Elliot Bowles a copy of his "review" on Yelp.

Of course, that didn't go over well—he claims he got a prompt "F*ck You" from the "Top Chef Masters" star—so he decided on another approach.

A Salute to Soldiers, SATC2 & Summertime!

This weekend's dedicated to our fearless military men and women who fight hard for our country. We'd be lost without them!

We've got a nice, three-day weekend to show our support through various events, from Saturday's Memorial Day Parade to a number of fabulous parties. And because the weather's supposed to be incredibly nice all weekend, you'll definitely want to spend a lot of time outside.

Luda Party Now Benefits Gulf Coast Fishermen

Lakeview's Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort was already hosting the official Ludacris concert after-party Friday, but now they've turned it into a benefit for the fishermen affected by the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The festive bar has teamed up with The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, which has provided hundreds of emergency food boxes to fishermen and families affected. They're donating $5 of every $20 ticket (deluxe packages are available for $60) to the nonprofit organization.

Shift Drinks . . . The Aftermath . . .

I have a new respect for those who work in the bar and restaurant industry this morning. Seriously.

Inovasi chef/owner John des Rosiers and myself had the honor of guest bartending the final Shift Drinks party at Pops for Champagne Monday before it moves over to The Exchange June 7.

Let me tell you that this is not easy work. We shook up three signature cocktails for a few hundred folks that included chefs, servers, bartenders, restaurateurs, booze distributors and others in the biz. It was nonstop busy until last call.

Didn't See This Coming!

Chantelle Pabros, who announced she's leaving her position at L20 as sommelier. (Photo: Chantelle Pabros)


L20 sommelier Chantelle Pabros resigned her position Monday.

Here's the email she sent out:

"I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I am leaving my position at L2O.

FREE House-Made Pop Tarts This Weekend!

(Photo: WAVE)


To kick off its new, American-and-Filipino-focused brunch menu this weekend, WAVE Executive Chef Kristine Subido will be giving away a very special treat.

Subido's signature "Pop Tart," which she's making from scratch with house-made jam, is one of the highlights, plus Filipino sausage with over easy eggs, brioche French toast, a house-made cinnamon roll and Rudy's huevos rancheros.