Big Star Wicker Park
D “Juanito” H · 504 Google reviewsBig Star Wicker Park — mexican in Wicker Park. The space has a modern, polished edge. The bartender knows what they're doing, and no long waits. Bradley Nafziger: "Birris tacos: very crispy flavorful and cheesy and delicious the au jus was so good" [$$, patio]
What 4,418 diners keep saying
What 4,418 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“This is a review of the napkins only: Horrible. Useless. Thin paper, recycled mess. They only brought one per person at the beginning and with the type of menu that's traditionally eaten with your hands these napkins are not up to the challenge. Please invest in something better or bring out 5 per person to start with. Food and service are great!”
“Awesome time here today. First time visiting this taco spot. Both the tacos and my server Eve made my visit grand. Looking forward to coming back for taco Tuesday and trying another mocktail.”
“Restaurant looks cool, staff was very friendly and attentive. Very polite and inviting. Price to portion size was okay, but it’s the city, so it’s to be expected. But the food still tasted fresh and made from scratch”
“Big Star is housed in a former 1940s gas station on the corner of Damen and North in Wicker Park, and the whole thing has this loose, good-time energy that makes it easy to accidentally stay for three hours. Paul Kahan, the same chef behind Avec, runs the kitchen here, and it shows in the way a taco spot that looks like a honky-tonk bar manages to produce some of the best tacos in Chicago. Country and rock plays off vinyl from the bar staff's own collection. The patio out front fills up fast on warm evenings. The corn tortillas are handmade one by one in-house daily, which you notice immediately in the texture and the flavor. The al pastor taco is the one to start with, marinated pork shoulder roasted on a spit and carved to order, topped with grilled pineapple and onion and a pile of fresh cilantro. It's exactly what a taco should be. The Baja taco with fried fish and cabbage and crema came next and managed to be light and bright and satisfying all at once. The Panza, which is crispy pork belly in a warm tortilla with salsa verde and pickled red onion, is the third one worth ordering and between those three you've done the tour. The queso fundido with chorizo and roasted poblanos is a must for the table to share while you decide on tacos. For bourbon the list is serious, house barrel selections from Kentucky that the bar staff can walk you through if you're interested, and the margarita program is equally strong. This is a late-night option too, which makes it a versatile spot depending on what the evening calls for.”
“Fish taco and crunch wrap were amazing! Been here a million times and continues to get better. Our server Lielli was awesome!”
“Jared (I think, sorry I am bad with names) was an awesome bartender. It was exactly the experience you’re looking for when sitting at the bar. Great humor, great conversation, and great recommendations! We were from out of town and couldn’t have been happier to stop in and sit at the bar. We will be back for the food, service, and margaritas!”
“Big Star in Wicker Park has such a cool, lively vibe. The prices are great, the portions are generous, and the food comes out fast. The staff is always friendly and efficient, which makes the whole experience easy and enjoyable. A solid go‑to spot for good food and good energy.”
“Cute place to grab food in wicker park. I was in the area hanging out and shopping and needed something to eat. This was a popular place near the train. I sat at the bar and ordered some birria tacos and a margarita. Both were delicious and came out quickly. The tacos were hot, fresh and tasty. The bartender was friendly and had great service. I’d def stop back if I was in the area.”
“Great atmosphere with plenty of seating and an awesome outdoor space if you're coming with a group. The tacos are decent and pretty flavorful, but they felt a little cold, almost like the food had been sitting out for an hour before being served. The elotes definitely stood out the most. Service was okay, but it could definitely use a little improvement.”
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