jeanpoutine wrote:What is up with their "no modifications" policy?

Given how quickly food arrives after being ordered, my guess is that the food is far from made-to-order. They probably have the kitchen cranking out dishes in rapid succession with no link to what's being ordered, so throwing a custom request into the mix would slow things down. It makes sense given how quickly things work there.

jeanpoutine wrote:I have a strong dislike of cilantro

Mom?

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

jeanpoutine wrote:What is up with their "no modifications" policy?

Given how quickly food arrives after being ordered, my guess is that the food is far from made-to-order. They probably have the kitchen cranking out dishes in rapid succession with no link to what's being ordered, so throwing a custom request into the mix would slow things down. It makes sense given how quickly things work there.

really? things always arrive much more slowly for me than at, say, las asadas.

gleam wrote:

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

jeanpoutine wrote:What is up with their "no modifications" policy?

Given how quickly food arrives after being ordered, my guess is that the food is far from made-to-order. They probably have the kitchen cranking out dishes in rapid succession with no link to what's being ordered, so throwing a custom request into the mix would slow things down. It makes sense given how quickly things work there.

really? things always arrive much more slowly for me than at, say, las asadas.

Yeah, and given the time of day (3:30pm on a Tuesday) and how the place was less than half full, I would be extremely surprised/disappointed if the tacos are not made to order. If Pasadita or Asadas can do it, no reason why Big Star can't. Obviously if the place were slamming with a line out the door, it could be a different story. I have been ordering my tacos and burritos without cilantro for years now, at taquerias from Pilsen to the Mission and have never had a problem until today...

pairs4life wrote:I had to have it again. It was even more packed tonight (a bit after 7, than yesterday afternoon at 1 pm). My food was there so quick I couldn't believe it. This time the chard was with oyster mushrooms.

Thanks for the tip on these tacos.

I have a bicycle-obsessed cousin and friend visiting from out of town, and Friday being as gorgeous of a day as it was, we set up at a patio table at Big Star with shots of Old Forester and tacos and spent the late afternoon ogling sexy bicycles on Damen. We had dinner plans at Mado and, figuring that we'd have something swinerific there, I opted for only vegetarian tacos at Big Star. I can't imagine the chard by itself, but it was delicious with the oyster mushrooms. The filling was surprisingly rich in flavor given its pretty delicate texture, so I'm glad there wasn't too much of it. I'm going to have those again.

Mushroom tacos and bourbon were followed by happy charcuterie at Mado and sweating off everything we ate and drank at my second Die Antwoord show in about three months--basically a perfect day.

Went to Big Star for lunch today; it was fantastic as always. Sat outside in the 72F warm, sunny day and had the tacos al pastor (tie for first place), pork belly (not quite as good as I had remembered), tostado with chorizo (another tie for first place) and queso fundido (last place). But it was great and service was with a smile. They're doing a good job!

I also went to Big Star for lunch today and sat outside. It twas wonderful, I had the tacos al pastor, tostada de pescado and the mushroom taco. I forget the word they used for mushroom but it's not champinones, it was something else but absolutely delicious!

Mushroom in Spanish is Hongos, maybe that is it... I do love hanging on the patio here!

jhawk1 wrote:Mushroom in Spanish is Hongos, maybe that is it.

You get the prize. That's exactly what it said on the menu. It's now been 7 days since my last trip. I had a bit of a twinge this afternoon. I can't imagine not getting over there before the end of the upcoming week.

FYI - Big Star is constructing a year-round patio. Steel beams are currently up.

walrus wrote:FYI - Big Star is constructing a year-round patio. Steel beams are currently up.

...and the take-out window is closed (at least it was yesterday). I assume it will be quite temporary, but I had a hell of a time ordering take-out from the bar yesterday.

^^^ take-out window was open again last night around midnight. stopped for a few tacos de panza on my way home from the LCD Soundsystem/Hot Chip show....quite the night!

ziggy wrote:^^^ take-out window was open again last night around midnight. stopped for a few tacos de panza on my way home from the LCD Soundsystem/Hot Chip show....quite the night!

Me, too!

Super quiet there today. Walk up window was open today.

Place was packed last night around 11. Stopped by after the Hawks game. Got a seat at the bar after about 10 minutes. Queso Fundido was so salty we could not eat it. We were starving and just looked at each other and agreed. Inedible. The Guacamole was good and we each thought a bit over the top on the lime. Cocktails, scene and service were all top notch. Still love this place and had never been there this late. Anyone else had problems with food when it was later? I still think it is very cool to pop in to a bar at this time of night and see everyone hunched over chowing down listening to vinyl...

jhawk1 wrote:Place was packed last night around 11. Stopped by after the Hawks game. Got a seat at the bar after about 10 minutes. Queso Fundido was so salty we could not eat it. We were starving and just looked at each other and agreed. Inedible. The Guacamole was good and we each thought a bit over the top on the lime. Cocktails, scene and service were all top notch. Still love this place and had never been there this late. Anyone else had problems with food when it was later? I still think it is very cool to pop in to a bar at this time of night and see everyone hunched over chowing down listening to vinyl...

i had a problem with the food yesterday at noon when the place was empty...definitely agree on the guac--it's just how they make it but I don't care for the over the top lime either. And my pork belly taco was over-sauced and cold. Not lukewarm. Cold. I was deep in conversation and didn't realize I'd eaten a cold taco until the end when I stopped to think about the food. Oh well. The mushroom taco was as fantastic as others have described.

Prime example of my love-hate relationship with Big Star:

chard-mushroom taco: love (thanks to Ava and others)
tinga chicken and chorizo: hate

The latter was handed to me cold, congealed, gristly, and just weird. It was also ordered after they wouldn't leave the mayo off the hot dog. They drizzle the sauces on at the very end from the assembly I could see through the window, so that was a facepalm even with the stated policy. But the vegetable taco was likely the most savory, filling, and delectable non-meat taco I've ever had.

Santander wrote:Prime example of my love-hate relationship with Big Star:

chard-mushroom taco: love (thanks to Ava and others)
tinga chicken and chorizo: hate

But the vegetable taco was likely the most savory, filling, and delectable non-meat taco I've ever had.

- I know it is sooooo good. Simple ingredients & a total why didn't I think of that!

pairs4life wrote:

Santander wrote:Prime example of my love-hate relationship with Big Star:

chard-mushroom taco: love (thanks to Ava and others)
tinga chicken and chorizo: hate

But the vegetable taco was likely the most savory, filling, and delectable non-meat taco I've ever had.

- I know it is sooooo good. Simple ingredients & a total why didn't I think of that!

I feel ya. I ate both of these tacos last night and had a similar impression. That said, I have had fantastic renditions of the chicken tinga taco on several occasions, though always ordered in house. Tonight I ordered from the window. My order was processed suspiciously fast and there was for-real evidence that the most of the product had been prepared and packaged long before I placed my order. The chicken taco in particular- cold tortilla, hot lettuce. The panza as well, while enjoyable enough, was tepid. Both of these offending tacos were wrapped in pairs (I'd ordered two of each). We had ordered a third tinga taco, which was individually wrapped and was definitely cooked to order, withstanding the five minute drive home- the hot stayed hot and the cool stayed cool. It can be a really satisfying taco, dark meat chicken melding comfortably with chorizo, all homey and spicy, lettuce and crema providing cool and crisp counterpoints. The second, individually wrapped taco delivered this. Hongo and "quelites" taco deserved the rave reviews and reminded me of all the wonderful Mexico City street vegetarian tacos I ate on my last trip, though reigning favorite would still be the quelites taco from the "Hola" taco stand toward the bottom of linked post.
But back to Big Star- I think there are some major kinks in their take out window system, resembling fast food assemble- and- hold tactics. The guac was not fresh enough either, greying avocado flavor masked by said over application of lime juice. So two for five of the items we ordered were good, counting the tinga twice. I've never had any complaints with food ordered from the table and will continue to frequent the place, but I'm holding off on take out until perhaps dissent of our consensus is taken into consideration by management. I'm going to let them know about my complaints on my next visit.

I sense a deep well of forgiveness and understanding among Big Star fans that doesn't come through with other taquerias. Big Star's patrons are good folks, obviously.

Thems that love the veggie options at BS might really enjoy the mushroom and squash blossom filled stuff at Los Corrales.

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=26687

I've been able to sneak over Big Star a few times in the afternoon. But this Saturday we'll find ourselves there at prime time 8pm. Is that too early to be prime time for Big Star--meaning we'll actually find a seat at the bar or somewhere inside? Or based on others' experiences, will Saturday night at 8 pm be crazy packed?

Thanks.

Shasson wrote:I've been able to sneak over Big Star a few times in the afternoon. But this Saturday we'll find ourselves there at prime time 8pm. Is that too early to be prime time for Big Star--meaning we'll actually find a seat at the bar or somewhere inside? Or based on others' experiences, will Saturday night at 8 pm be crazy packed?

Thanks.

I've gone at 7 pm on a Saturday...packed. It reminds me a lot of Kuma's in that way.

Shasson wrote:I've been able to sneak over Big Star a few times in the afternoon. But this Saturday we'll find ourselves there at prime time 8pm. Is that too early to be prime time for Big Star--meaning we'll actually find a seat at the bar or somewhere inside? Or based on others' experiences, will Saturday night at 8 pm be crazy packed?

Thanks.

A year ago you would have been fine, now? It's always pretty full once the evening comes around, or much earlier on nice days. Two people might be ok, as long as one doesn't mind standing; anymore and you will have to be a seat buzzard.

SSDD

Ah, thanks. This won't be our night to play the seat vulture game. We'll either make reservations somewhere, or go somewhere more off the beaten path.

After doing some day drinking at Local Option and then Piece, I made a quick pit stop at Big Star for a snack before heading back home. Grabbed a couple of tacos from the take out window. The awning looks to be completely finished, there were still a few guys working but for the most part all construction seems to be done. One taco al pastor and one pork belly, along with a Mexican Coke. I didn't look closely at the menu, so it's my fault but shit is $3 for a bottle of Mexican Coke a real kick in the balls. The tacos were pretty good, pork belly being better than pastor. I wouldn't mind coming back some day to explore more of the menu and hang out at the bar.

A quick snack at Big Star early last evening with a couple friends. Pretty busy(packed). From the folks I noticed I was probably one of the oldest people there (im 40). Lots of energy, and a fun time. The folks I was with chowed on some really nice looking al pastor & pork belly tacos(I didnt eat, I had a liquid dinner ).

cant have too many pics of Big Stars tacos:

I finally got around to eating one of the Sonoran's, pretty tasty, great roll, but definitely messy. Not something I would want to try to eat late at night, but as a late lunch it was good.

As a note, I was there at around 2:30, and pretty much every seat in the house was full, a couple scattered singles being the exception.

SSDD

headcase wrote:I finally got around to eating one of the Sonoran's, pretty tasty, great roll, but definitely messy. Not something I would want to try to eat late at night, but as a late lunch it was good.

They're messy because they're radically overdone...and huge. I had a close-up but I'm including this shot from last night of two Sonoran dogs held by eating-drinking buddy happy_stomach; I think you get a sense of scale here. The bolillo buns are also a lot to fit in even a mouth as big as mine.

I think it's cool that Kahan does "takes" on traditional Mexican bar food, but these monsters have too much stuff on them, though not enough bacon. We didn't even finish both of these (we had some other stuff to eat but we left half of one on the plate...speaking for myself, I didn't feel like wrestling another one of these ginormous wieners into my belly).

David Hammond wrote:

headcase wrote:I finally got around to eating one of the Sonoran's, pretty tasty, great roll, but definitely messy. Not something I would want to try to eat late at night, but as a late lunch it was good.

They're messy because they're radically overdone...and huge. I had a close-up but I'm including this shot from last night of two Sonoran dogs held by eating-drinking buddy happy_stomach; I think you get a sense of scale here. The bolillo buns are also a lot to fit in even a mouth as big as mine.

I've never been used to scale a Sonoran hot dog before (and definitely not two). Thanks, David.

I agree with headcase that the Sonoran hot dog is not late-night food. The visit to Big Star yesterday was not actually late, but I think the fairly quick four rounds of cocktails and too much Virginia ham, lamb sausage, chicken liver and octopus at the Violet Hour beforehand simulated late-night conditions. This may sound funny, but I think eating a Big Star Sonoran hot dog takes commitment and gusto that the prospect of eating half of one doesn't sufficiently inspire. It seemed more difficult to eat a half yesterday than it would have to eat a whole one. Very messy and doesn't leave much room for tacos, but I like Big Star's rendition.

Maybe we all had too much to drink, but we couldn't find the mushroom tacos on the menu last night.

ziggy wrote:...and the take-out window is closed (at least it was yesterday).

pairs4life wrote:Walk up window was open today.

Anyone know if the take-out window is open and running these days? I called to find out, but nobody answers the phone at Big Schwa, errrr, Big Star.

Thanks,
--Rich