Big Star: Tasty tacos from the border and beyond
Named after the Lone Star state of Texas and not the band Big Star, the honky tonk taqueria and whiskey bar brings affordable gourmet tacos to the denizens of Wicker Park.
Replacing the old Pontiac bar space, Paul Kahan and partners behind the upscale Blackbird restaurant opened the eatery last year. There are four tacos to choose from including Tacos al Pastor, which is mixed with pork shoulder, pineapple and cilantro.
The 125-seat outdoor patio brims with energy and sunglassed patrons on any given warm day, but the prime spot usually comes with a long wait. Prepare to wait at least an hour for an outdoor table, or sidle up to the first-come-first served bar area. One nice perk is the host/hostess will take cell numbers and call when a table comes available.
Besides the flavorful tacos, there’s also an entire list of appetizers and drinks such as homemade chips and salsa, Micheladas (beer mixed with tomato juice and spices), and $1 drafts of Schlitz. An extensive list of tequilas and American whiskeys presents itself along with daily $3 shots.
If waiting doesn’t seem appealing, Big Star offers a walk-up window for getting tacos to go or dining at their picnic tables, but a short wall segregates the picnic area from the other sun-soaked customers. Of course imbibing outside is ideal, but the inside area features open garage doors, a circular bar, several booths and blasting country music.
Big Star is cash only, but there’s an ATM inside. With all tacos priced $2-$3 per taco and cheap booze, one won’t have to splurge too much.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
