Home Kitchen & Lounge- entertainment of all types in the “burbs”

September 26- The Drag Queen show as Home Bar in Arlington Heights.

Because the show is from noon until 4 p.m., and I am on the air from 2-3 p.m., I asked some friends to cover for us. Marla and Dan have done restauarts with Jane and I and as it turns out, Marla’s neice, Samantha is a “frequent flyer” at “Drag” shows. Thanks to them, I can truly tell you about the experience.

Marla-

We were greeted at the door by Kevin Hampton who sat us in the VIP section. There were three couches, on the stage. We were the only one in our area. Our server, Valerie then came by with the Sunday brunch menu and we began our “bottomless Mimosas”!

The meal was composed of Autumn Flat Bread ( squash on pizza with sausage- very tasty. Kind of a surprise how tasty it was. The Mexican stuffed bicuits were the table’s favorites. The scrambled eggs were a great texture. This is an entree that I would order again. The chicken tetrazinni was tender with a minimal cream sauce giving it great flavor. This was not my favorite part of the brunch.

Marla found the crowd to be quite a mix of age groups and  all in all found the afternoon a true experience.

Mocha, The MC was also the first dancer/singer. Mocha is also the bartender ( when not in “drag”) and is the person who came up with the concept for the Home Bar. The following dancers were a mix of ages and genders and what we found out later, was that if YOU are celebrating your birthday, they allow you to go on the stage and dance ( and dance for tips). One of the guests was dressed for the role and was prepared to make her investment back for the day.

One of the highlights at one of these shows is watching the dollar bills fly from the patrons to the dancers. Staff members will pick them up and hand them to each dancer, so one need not worry that the tip they toss will not be given to the dancer.

Some of the dancers were stronger than others, and some ended up lip-syncing ( others could carry a tune). Each dancer did their own costumes and make-up and I would imagine their choreography and details of the routine.

I would have to say that for the $40 investment ( and the many $1 bills after), this is a fun brunch and an experience that one can truly put on their completed “bucket list” ( if in fact, a “drag show” was on the list).

Samantha ( Marla’s niece)- I attend many shows in the Greater Chicago area ( The River Kitchen, Roscoe’s or any “flip Phone pop-up) and while this was a fun brunch it was not as professional as the others. It was like comparing “community Theater” to Broadway In Chicago road shows. But, perhaps a local show will appeal to those who do not want the hour drive into the city, the $25 parking fee, the higher cost, when they can get a similar experience for $40.

The food itself is more than “brunch” items, but everything was tasty and satisfied, so who are we to second guess.

If you are looking to attend a DRAG SHOW with good food and an incredibly  welcome feeling, this is a great brunch experience. I will return on another day to see other performers “strut their stuff” and bring some friends as well. For sure if The Drag King is on the bill!

These are their thoughts and notes. They are also the photos they took, September 26, 2021

Those of us who grew up in the city, recall that every area had a “corner bar”. A place similar to “Cheers” where everyone knew your name, what you did and who your mother was ( so you had to behave). For the most part, they are gone and in the suburbs, there is nothing that comes close. At least, not until they opened up the Home Kitchen & lounge in Arlington Heights. Established almost 10 years ago, this restaurant /lounge offers up American fare with a slight twist. The short name for this establishment is HOME ( your home away from home) bringing you local owners who do know your name ( and probably how to reach your mother), a menu that is different than you might expect and what one might call an iconic lounge-meets-sports-bar feel.

Hot music, entertainment and for those who want or need, something different, each month, a Sunday Brunch with a twist. It is called “Drag Brunch” where from noon til 4 p.m., the HOME becomes a place where one can be entertained. You do not have to be LGBQT to have a great meal and bottomless Mimosas- this show is for everyone. Hosted by Marco/Macho Mattell, the Drag Brunch in the Suburbs will be a mind boggling bit of entertainment that you can enjoy right near home. This is just one of the features you will find at HOME.

Open 7 days a week, HOME offers full lunch, “happy Hour”, dinner and night menus. They also do private events.

Music and entertainment is their specialty but for the sports FAN-atics, there are plenty of giant screens to keep up with your favorite team.

The owners are long-time local residents who share a passion for creating the place that will be your home-away-from-home, HOME.

Check out the menu and the events at www.homebarchicago.com

1227 Rand Road in Arlington Heights.  847-577-4663