Hong Ning Filipino-Chinese Restaurant

By: Aeron Lancero

 

Magandang Araw sa inyo lahat and sana na enjoy ninyo ang magandang panahon sa Chicago. Summer is definitely here. We have now had a better few days in July especially this past 4th of July weekend. The weather was outstanding and I truly wished you all enjoyed this past weekend.

Anyway I am back again and wanted to share some great news to all of us in the Northwest Suburbs and my feature story is all about it.

Let me first start and say this was the first ever Pinoy restaurant I visited when I first moved to Illinois. A small mom-and-pop place like most Pinoy restaurants placed in a strip mall in the town of Glendale Heights. My parents brought me there as I was craving food from the motherland and the food did not disappoint. The name of the place is Hong Ning a Filipino Chinese Restaurant.

Since then I have dined there at least once every other week and as I got busier and have my restaurants, I went once a month. Well, on my last previous visits Ernie the owner has shared with me his interest in possibly expanding. He has been in the same location for 18 years and it has been a way of life for them all that time and at one point, it seemed that business was slowing down then he was discovered by Ron Bilaro from TFC by an acquaintance’s recommendation — a shoot was done and revitalization occurred. Ernie and his team seem to be re-energized and they came up with a new menu with a more modern presentation. Business boomed again, especially his very popular Inihaw section. Grilled meats, seafood, which are absolutely delicious and look amazing when served.

So another segment was done with Ron and you can see it on their homepage on their website. www.hongningrestaurants.com

Although that is not the great news about them, but before that let me share my last visit with them. I came in on a Sunday after church. 12:30 to be exact. I had a party of six and we were lucky to get a table quickly. Because not even five minutes after, there were another 25 people walking in and trying to get a table. The restaurant may seat 35 people. So they got packed quickly and more were coming. It was nice that weather was comfortable as groups of people all waited outside. I was very happy for Ernie and his team. I proceeded to order (and order a ton) I did for 6 people. Lumpia Shanghai, (eggrolls) que kiam (eggroll), Kaldareta Baka (Beef Stew), taho (steamed tofu w/sugar syrup and tapioca pearls), lechon Kawali (deep fried pork belly), inihaw platter (grilled meats, fish, mussels with their special sauces, house fried rice with pork. We had Halo-Halo later. As always the food was outstanding. The staff was friendly and we were very happy. Ernie seemed to be stuck in the kitchen that day as he was not out in the dining room as he usually is, but his team, including his better-half, were on the floor making sure everyone was well taken care of.

A brief description of my favorite dishes:

Lumpia Shanghai – a very popular pinoy dish that obviously has similarities to Chinese eggrolls, although it’s heavier on the meat side as the
filling. Very flavorful and the actual wrapper is unique to Filipino cooking. You would just have to try it.

 Next is the Beef Kaldareta or pinoy beef stew – This is not your ordinary beef stew but full of flavor. They used short ribs here, braised
until very tender with potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, spicy peppers, peas in a tomato sauce. Great hearty dish that we all love and they made
the dish palatable for anyone to eat.

Lechon Kawali, Crispy fried pork belly- Pork Belly that is seasoned well with salt, tossed in the oven to cook and to keep that moisture
in, then deep fried until golden brown. Served with pork liver sauce or garlic vinegar. My absolute favorite.

There are more dishes that I had but three staples of Pinoy cuisine. Palatable to all, and very enjoyable.

So what is the balita about Hong Ning? Well they are making a move to a far bigger space. We can say almost triple the size of their original spot. They are slated to open sometime in September, and it is clear that they will shut down their original location when their place is fully open. They are opening right at North Avenue where the newly opened Caputo’s is, right on Shick and North Avenue. It’s a bold move
and always a risk. Will they make it???
Being a restaurateur you can really never know although they have a lot going for them.
1. Their food is proven. 18 years in business, you cannot discount that.
2. It’s family-run and they all work hard and truly believe in making their guests happy.
3. Parking is much bigger.
4. New modern look of a place definitely draws people over.
5. Pinoy food is hot and having a Chinese element attracts nonpinoys to give them a try.

Only advice I would give him is to be prepared to make sure he delivers

what he is known for in a larger scale. Evolve a bit as your guests will now expand a be a bit less forgiving of any flaws as you will have more people to take care of. Keep on making great food, elevate it a little more, hire good people and train them well. You will do well Ernie.

As for us, as FIL-AMS, support!!!! Not just by going there but by giving honest  feedback as well. More importantly, bring people over… I have heard many times over and that we all wish we can bring our non pinoy friends to a nice Filipino Restaurant. Well, now you will have one in the Northwest Suburbs and I am confident you will enjoy what they have to offer if you have not tried already.

Not sure yet if he is serving alcohol, but I am sure he will make an announcement if they will do so.

Thanks again everyone for reading and let me reiterate although I am friendly with Ernie and his team, this story was not solicited by them and when I dine at his place I pay like everyone else. I truly enjoy dining and sharing what other FIL-AMS have to offer especially when it deals with
eating. Feel free to share stories at info@filameats.com so I may visit and share with all.

It has truly been an honor and pleasure sharing with you all. Maraming salamat! Till next month…

A very meaningful quote: Genuine Virtue consists of being charitable, loving one’s fellow men and being judicious in behavior, speech and deed.
–Emilio Jacinto