RAB wrote:

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

It was last Friday while I was at the bar. I'm pretty sure that the case you quoted above was temporary based on the enclosed patio construction.

SSDD

headcase wrote:enclosed patio construction.

One of many wtfelements at Big Star these days, along with reserved empty booths, unpalatable Sonoran hot dogs, no modifications of any kind to food or drinks policy, and downright bizarre bartending service on multiple recent visits. I'm back to the window and only for tacos permanently. My favorable graph on this place looks like the front of Charlie Brown's shirt at this point.

Were you with a party of 4+ when you tried to get one of the 'reserved' booths? They seem to always have the 'reserved' signs on them, but we've never had a problem claiming one if we roll in with a party of 4-6. I think it's just to stop smaller groups from thinking they can sit there.

gleam wrote:Were you with a party of 4+ when you tried to get one of the 'reserved' booths? They seem to always have the 'reserved' signs on them, but we've never had a problem claiming one if we roll in with a party of 4-6. I think it's just to stop smaller groups from thinking they can sit there.

Code: Select all

if ($party > 4) {
   bigstar();
} else {
   greatlake();
}


-Dan

Oh wow...I don't even know what to say about that.

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 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).

Reviewing this pic, I see that Kahan's version of the Southwestern dog is served in a bolillo (or birote, as the bun is known in Sonora), which most of the hot dogs I had in Tucson were not – there, they seem to prefer a kind of hybrid between this Mexican type mini-baguette and what we know of as a hot dog bun in Chicago. Got to say, the big bun at Big Star presented some logistics challenges.

how much are the tacos these days?

NAV MAN wrote:how much are the tacos these days?

Hit the take-out window on Friday, they were all $3.

I'll add that I did not enjoy the new Taco de Ejotes (Braised Long Beans, Fresh Chile Árbol, Mint, Queso Fresco, Red Onion).

Pretty bland, with what flavor there was (chile/mint) clashing quite badly.

Agree on the blandness and general lameness of the ejotes taco. No idea why they ditched the poblano (or to a lesser extent the lamb from back in the day).

Not sure how long it has been on the menu, but I recently ordered the Tostada de Refritos Negros (refried black beans, avocado, lettuce, queso fresco, lime) for $4 from the window a couple weeks ago and it was really good. I think I prefered it to the tacos which I normally order from the window.

It also held up quite well in the bag until I returned home to devour it.

FWIW, I rarely dine in at Big Star due to such long waits and the convenience of the pick up window.

I gotta stop going to Big Star so soon after having Al Pastor elsewhere.

Big Stars Al Pastor is technically good, but has no soul.

I still like Big Star alot, good vibe, drinks, and people watching.

jimswside wrote:I gotta stop going to Big Star so soon after having Al Pastor elsewhere.

Big Stars Al Pastor is technically good, but has no soul.

I still like Big Star alot, good vibe, drinks, and people watching.

where is 'elsewhere' for you ? I've yet to see another place in the neighborhood has it. Las Asadas & La Pasadita don't.

Tierra Caliente's pretty close.

And don't forget Tierra Caliente #2, which is around the corner from Las Asadas.

Tierra Caliente #2
2556 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-486-5936

Love,
John

I think the cooking at Big Star suffers when they are slammed (as they were during last weekend's Green Music Fest) -- particularly the cooking of the meats. However, the rajas tostada is a delicious, gloppy mess.

Prices are steadily inching up toward the unacceptable, though.

We had lunch there on Saturday - had time between a wedding and the reception and had forgotten about Green Fest. Even with the festival scene, we got a picnic table spot with only a few minutes wait, tacos were tasty as was the salad ... and it's just so summer perfect to sit out at Big Star and watch the world.

cilantro wrote:I think the cooking at Big Star suffers when they are slammed (as they were during last weekend's Green Music Fest) -- particularly the cooking of the meats. However, the rajas tostada is a delicious, gloppy mess.

Prices are steadily inching up toward the unacceptable, though.

Same rajas as what used to be part of the vegetarian taco? I still don't know why they axed that one in favor of those long beans.

Also, what are the prices lately? Just up for food or are drinks going up, as well?

jimswside wrote:I gotta stop going to Big Star so soon after having Al Pastor elsewhere.

Big Stars Al Pastor is technically good, but has no soul.

I still like Big Star alot, good vibe, drinks, and people watching.

When a friend asked me how the Al Pastor was, i was having trouble trying to pinpoint exactly what was missing from it. Turns out it was indeed it's soul. I think it may have been flavored some chicken bouillon. There was just something out of place and artificial to it. I didn't try any other tacos as i was just passing by and didn't have time, but with reading these posts, i guess it's worth giving it another shot for their other tacos, the ones you cannot get at Tierra Caliente.

Stopped in on Tuesday (after having made the trek to Lillie's Q and finding a sign that said they weren't opening until 3 PM that day) as a Plan B. Patio was slammed but space at the bar available and fine by us. Started with the queso fundido then a pork belly taco and a couple of the fish tacos. Mrs. Kman really loves those fish tacos and enjoyed her first-time experience with the queso. Racer 5 IPA was on tap and paired up well with $3 shots. I've had pretty much most of the menu at Big Star and find the al pastor probably the weakest offering, IMO. My favorites are the pork belly and fish tacos and I also miss the rajas tacos.

As we were leaving we discussed that it's great to live in a town where your Plan B can be a place like Big Star.

danimalarkey wrote:Same rajas as what used to be part of the vegetarian taco? I still don't know why they axed that one in favor of those long beans.

The only vegetarian tacos I remember there had rajas and cheese -- these were definitely different. Here's what the menu description says: "ROASTED POBLANO PEPPERS, CHAYOTE, PEAS WITH CREMA, GRILLED SCALLIONS, ROASTED PEANUTS, RADISH". But again, by the time I'd gotten it from the take-out window it had all combined into one gooey mass of delicious.

No clue about drink prices, sorry. They're all listed on their site, so you can compare.

cilantro wrote:No clue about drink prices, sorry. They're all listed on their site, so you can compare.

It looks to me like prices are about the same as they have been for a while now ($3 tacos -- Al Pastor used to be $2, but that changed a while ago -- and $4 tostadas). The Sonoran looks to be $1 more than it used to be (speaking of a gooey mass!), but everything else looks the same to me.

And not to jump on you at all but it's the third time I've heard of increased prices and I just hadn't noticed anything similar myself. I suppose it's entirely likely that I focus on the $3 shots when I go and my memory is, uh, a little impaired by the time I settle up and leave.

prices i'm sure have gone up since they've opened:

the goat taco is long gone (was only there for a week or two) but it was $2 and was replaced with the $3 lamb taco, so i guess that counts.
pastor (+$1)
sonoran (+$1)
frijoles charros (+$1)
ensalada de big star (either +$1 or +$2)
mexican coke + jarritos (+$1, from $2 to $3. not sure if the aj stephans stuff has gone up, but that started at $3 when they opened)

not sure on this one, but i think:
chips and guac (+$1)

more of a "wtf is up with that pricing":
rittenhouse rye for $10 and templeton is $9? that makes no sense to me.


anyway, it doesn't really bother me that they raised prices. they gotta keep margins correct, and i'm sure costs are up. but I used to be able to go there and get 3 tacos and a soda for $8-10, and now it's $12. a big jump if it's more than a once-a-week thing (which it no longer is)

Beautiful night this past Tuesday, so fiancee and I had the desire to eat outside at Big Star


Wait was easily an hour plus, so we ordered through their window


I started with their:
Sonoran Hot Dog CRISPY, BACON WRAPPED, ALL BEEF HOT DOG, PINTO BEANS, LIME MAYO, MUSTARD, ONIONS, HOT SAUCE, ON A BOLILLO ROLL

As previously mentioned, it was huge and messy but their dog was nice and smoky

I then ordered two of their tacos


Tacos al Pastor MARINATED, SPIT ROASTED PORK SHOULDER, GRILLED PINEAPPLE, GRILLED ONION, CILANTRO

Tacos de Panza CRISPY, BRAISED PORK BELLY, TOMATO GUAJILLO SAUCE, QUESO FRESCO, ONION, CILANTRO

Thoroughly enjoyed both. Whether it's 2 dollars or 3 dollars a taco, I still expected to pay more. Meat and spices are done to perfection.

Fiancee complained her
Tostada de Pollo WOOD GRILLED CHICKEN THIGH, ARBOL SALSA, YOGURT, PICKLED RED ONION, CUCUMBER, QUESO FRESCO

was too spicy though.

Because of this, she drank my entire
Dulce de Leche Licuado DULCE DE LECHE MILKSHAKE


To me, Big Star represents the quintessential summer spot. Great food, great outdoor space.

Since its opening, I've been a Big Star devotee. But count me in the group that is starting to wane on this place. I think they're coasting along, and in some cases, slipping a bit. I no longer find the tacos thrilling or exciting. I find them ordinary and am tiring of the menu that has little change. A poster above commented that the fun largely comes from the vibe, and I pretty much agree. Its a fun place, but I fear they've begun to lose their spark of creativity. I was watching in the kitchen the other day--two or three fast working robot like cooks putting out the tacos, Taco Bell assembly line style. I'd get really excited if the menu changed more or the tacos there hadn't grown so tired on me. Just one person's opinion.

Tried two new items (for me) yesterday: the Sonoran dog is SO MESSY to eat, but I really liked it! The huitaloche (corn smut) taco's dark color made it kinda intimidating to look at, but it was tasty in an interesting sort of way


Sonoran dog.




Huitlacoche taco.


Taco al pastor.


Taco de panza.


Taco de pescado.

Are the popsicles new this summer? Maybe 8-10 flavors, $2 each. I haven't seen anyone eating them. I meant to get one after I finished eating last night, but forgot in my Violet Hour-induced haze. Fortunately, I had Campari-orange popsicles at home...a flavor Big Star should consider.

I had both the Vanilla and the Lime popsicles the other day, perfect in the heat. Vanilla was creamy and reminiscent of a pudding pop; lime was neon green and nicely tart. Neither seemed especially "natural" in their flavoring, and while I thought $2 was cheap, somehow I was surprised when handed pre-packaged pops. They're not made on site.

There's something new at Big Star besides huitlacoche tacos (man, was mine salty!).



Hopefully, they'll be smart about this truck thing and prepare something that's supposed to be held steaming for an hour or two—tacos de canasta. Thanks to our ever-vigilant police force, these "basket tacos" have pretty much disappeared from the streets of Chicago recently.

passed by the other day. Seriously what is the deal with those people always wearing those shirts, man alive!

Rene G wrote:There's something new at Big Star besides huitlacoche tacos (man, was mine salty!).



Hopefully, they'll be smart about this truck thing and prepare something that's supposed to be held steaming for an hour or two—tacos de canasta. Thanks to our ever-vigilant police force, these "basket tacos" have pretty much disappeared from the streets of Chicago recently.

FWIW, that truck isn't a truck for holding food, that's a kitchen truck. I'm guessing it's going to be for festivals or if they ever pass the 3-sink ordinance for travelling kitchens.

And re: the huitlacoche, my biggest beef was that the cotija that they used on it was far too pungent and overwhelmed the sweetness of of the corn truffle. But that Pescado taco is fantastic. Oh, and the calabacita tostada was absolutely wonderful. Big star is the real deal (though they need to add the second tortilla to each taco like a real taqueria )