Food was excellent. Amazing tacos. The pork belly and carnitas were beautifully done. Service was a little inattentive, but overall a great experience. read more

Honestly pleasantly surprised. I ordered the combo bowl with chicken. Pretty basic but it was tasty and filling. We also chips and guac for the table and I found those to be a bit overpriced for what we got but that was really my only qualm. Perfect late summer outdoor seating vibes and great for large groups. read more

Big Star - Chicken combo bowl - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came in the afternoon after Valentine's Day, was hoping for outdoor seating but couldn't so we went with indoor seating instead. I ordered the bowl & skirt steak and my sister ordered the combo with pork belly. Both dishes were veryyy plain & not good at all. My food was tasteless besides the beans. The hibiscus drink wasn't anything great either. Had to wave someone else who wasn't our waitress to get the bill. Wouldn't be back. read more

Big Star - Rice Bowl Combo Bowl - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

solid tacos. came out quick and would recommend for a quick bite! i originally intended to just buy two of the taco de panza, but the chicharones sprinkled on top of the braised pork belly is just too good, so i got two more. service was kind and friendly ++ read more

Big Star - Carne Asada Burrito (Steak) - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Starting off with the fact that charging 6 dollars for a taco that small is criminal- took me two bites to finish each of them. For those who think I'm exaggerating- I folded a dollar bill in half next to the shrimp taco to give a sense of the scale. To Big Star's credit, the Taco Al Pastor was delicious for the whole 45 seconds it took me to eat it. Juicy, flavorful, savory, and over faster than it took me to unwrap it. The shrimp taco I was less than impressed on- no good crisp, forgettable flavors, and generally uninspiring. The third thing I ordered, the birria crunchwrap, was a marginal step up from one at the Taco Bell down the block. The meat itself didn't add anything in terms of flavor, and the rest of the fillings barely spoke for themselves. The queso was something I could've gotten at the grocery store, and the chips went down the same route. Likely will not be going back, but kudos to those willing to bite the financial bullet for Mexican food you could've gotten from a taco stand for half the price and twice the flavor. read more

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Big star gets a lot of hate for being a tex/mex place, and it is not really Tex mex, more chain style Mexican food. And I have lived in Austin. We came here on a Tuesday night around 6pm, we got a seat outside, it was busy but not overly so. Definitely a place to bring your kids and let them play in the yard toys area. The burritos are good, again not really a Tex mex style, just a burrito, it could have used more cheese, something to bind the burrito, maybe sauce inside or a good amount of pico. But it's good. We also got chips, and guac. Pretty good. They have a kids menu and my child got the quesadilla, mostly ate chips but the fact they have a kids menu is nice for parents. Most folks here are either old people or with children. read more

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Staple taco joint in Wicker Park with a sweet patio. This places always has a lot of activity even in the winter. My husband frequents this restaurant more than me. On the last occasion I got the Smash Burger, it was good. Cooked medium and had some flavor. Also tried the Sprouts Tostadas. That was a solid vegetarian option. I would come back just for that tostada. On the day that I visited, I had a prickly pear margarita (spicy), it was good. They also had a $4 shot of day which was some good Tequila. read more

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I visited wicker park this weekend and was looking forward to eating at big star, as I've love their food for years. It lived up to my memories! The fish taco and al pastor tacos are must-tries. And the salad is a classic as well. read more

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. read more

Big Star - Birria tacos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Birria tacos - so good. Comes in a pair of 2. Walking taco - so good and so fun. Chips and queso - solid. Fish taco is so bomb. Mine was very hot and fresh. Love that you can order the exact right amount for your hunger levels. Good perk of a fun taco spot. Server was so friendly and told us she was new but she did a great job and was really friendly. Always good service here. Sat outside and unfortunately it was so hot out. But it is what it is. Fortunately it's a covered patio. read more

Big Star - Chips & queso remains - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Donna had the carne asada burrito and judged it to be a solid 3 star effort, just middle of the road at best. I got the quesabirria and was much happier- beef birria, chihuahua cheese, onion, cilantro, consommé. It was like a mexican french dip. They used chuck roast and some nice blue shell tacos with very tasty dip. Easy walk from our apartment. Good beer selection and some good looking margaritas went by. My only picture was a blurry mess, sorry! read more

My friends and I walked into Big Star casually, not realizing the kitchen was about to close in 20 minutes. Despite this, our server was kind enough to accommodate our group of 12 and let us order quickly. He was patient as six of us arrived first while we waited for the rest of our friends. Thanks to our server, we were able to place our orders on time. We got pollo, veggie, and papas rojas tacos, along with some drinks and beer. We also tried the famous walking tacos, which I absolutely loved! The food was delicious, and the flautas were also really tasty. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend this place! read more

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Really love the outdoor patio vibes and fun decor. The margaritas are super yummy and I love that you can pick and choose different flavor options. The tacos themselves were fine but not something I necessarily have to go back for. However the quesabirria was incredible. Service was a bit lacking too but to be fair it was very busy! read more

Big Star - Taco De Camarones Fritos Taco Al Pastor Taco De Pescado - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great spot for Mexican food and beer. Came here on a busy Saturday afternoon but were still seated right away. Staff was really friendly and welcoming. My girlfriend ordered the flautas which she enjoyed. I ordered a carne asada taco and chicken one. Both were good and their tortillas were really tasty. I chased it down with a pickle beer which was interesting but in a good way. I love how they have a great selection of beer here. The patio area is a great place to hang out with friends and grab a bite to eat on a nice summer day. read more

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Was a hot summer day and we just arrived to wicker park to shop. This place had lots of seats open and we got our food ordered and served very quickly. Waiter was nice and gave us recommendations. Very pricy tacos but the flavor was amazing! Unique options on the menu and the pork belly tacos and the al pastor were flavor bombs. Would 100% be able to eat like 8 of the tacos. My friend pastor burrito was also good. Not your everyday food truck taco so it was almost worth the price. read more

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Nice and spacious outdoor seating. We got here just as they started up the grill on the side, and the whole place smelled amazing. I think that tempted us into ordering a bit more than we planned! What we ordered: - Big Star chips & salsa: Delicious, especially with the guacamole and chips. - Al pastor/carne asada/camarones fritos tacos: My favorite was the al pastor tacos - Escabeche: Pickled vegetables that cleansed the palette between tacos :) Overall, a great meal! We left with full bellies and walked it off in the Wicker Park neighborhood. read more

Big Star - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been wanting to try this place and finally had lunch with a friend. They had a soup that was outstanding and it could have been a meal but we had it split in2. The tacos were as good as I hoped they would be. I had shrimp and the chicken tacos which again were a meal that was delicious and large! In the summer their outdoor space will be happening! read more

Big Star - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Always a reliable spot for a drink at the bar in the winter and a table outside in the summer. The food is good, very consistent and the cocktails are tasty. We always enjoy the salad, the queso fundito and the tacos. The mezcal margaritas are top notch as are the paloma's. When the weather's nice I always bring out of town guests here for lunch, it's the ideal spot to soak up the neighborhood vibe and people watch. Just one thing irks me, the lack of recognition for a patron who has been coming regularly since the week it opened 15-16 years ago. The staff has changed multiple times over the years but surely their computer tells them I've spent thousands of dollars here? It would be nice to get a "welcome back" at least. read more

My friend visiting from out of town and I came here on a whim after doing some thrifting nearby. It was a warm day and although we didn't sit in the patio, we sat at the bar and enjoyed how bright and open everything feels here. We had two different bartenders take care of us and overall we enjoyed our drinks. They have a lot of cocktails on tap which I don't normally care for too much, but I liked my drinks more than I thought. Also the two lady bartenders were extremely friendly and smiley which we appreciated a lot! read more

Some of the best whiskey bottles at extremely reasonable prices - this place is a hidden gem for whiskey connoisseurs. Low key vibe with amazing Mexican food - fast and friendly service. Can't wait to come back during our next trip to Chicago! read more

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It took two hours to get my food. I was disappointed in the service or lack there of. I asked where my food was they said it was delivered to another table. It seemed like they took it from another table and gave it to me. No one checked on me to see if I might want more to drink or need anything during my meal. It felt like I was bothering the waiter when I was there. Which made the experience even more uncomfortable. I spoke to the manager about this. She said she would give me a refund. Then did nothing about it. I left feeling very confused and frustrated. I know and understand they were busy. I'm very disappointed in my experience. I won't be returning. I will absolutely make it a point to not go back. read more

I'm extremely disappointed with our experience and honestly shocked at how poorly this was handled. We had a 6:45 PM reservation on one of the first nice patio days in Chicago, so yes--it was busy. There was a long line when we arrived, and I made a point to politely ask people at the front if they had reservations before stepping up. The couple at the front said they did not (or at least the husband acknowledged me while the wife ignored me entirely). When I approached the hostess stand to check in for my reservation, the woman from that couple physically boxed me out and became immediately confrontational. I calmly explained--multiple times--that I had a reservation and was simply trying to check in. She proceeded to speak over me, act aggressively, and try to take over the conversation with the hostess. At no point did staff step in to manage the situation or de-escalate. When I finally got a chance to speak, I was told it would still be a 30-minute wait despite having a reservation. Meanwhile, the couple directly behind me--who did not appear to have a reservation--were seated almost immediately. That is completely unacceptable. If reservations are going to be meaningless on busy days, then don't take them. Or at the very least, have a clear and organized system for handling reservations vs. walk-ins. What made this even worse was the lack of any staff control while a guest was being openly rude and disruptive. We have been long-time customers and have always loved coming here (you even know our dog by name), which makes this even more disappointing. But after being treated this way--and watching another guest be rewarded for bad behavior--we will not be returning. read more

Surprisingly good service despite being extra busy on a weekend night. Our waiter checked in frequently, delivered food quickly and never let us wait too long. The tacos are pretty good - as you'd expect from a chain in Chicago. The best part was the ambience though. Good food, good vibes and good drinks. A solid place for a gathering. I will be back! - AT read more

Big Star - Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service is really good and fast. You have to buy chips and salsa There is a out door patio super chill spot. The steak taste like pulled beef not steak. Shrimp tacos is the best. The salsa is mid it's not spicy. Place is clean though. Bathrooms clean. read more

We very much enjoyed our lunch at big star. Casual bar atmosphere, but delicious food and personable service. Very cool that they spin vinyl throughout the day. Chips and salsa were plenty full, crispy, and fresh chips with delicious salsa, my favorite being the red. Mushroom tacos were delicious, and we were impressed how fresh the tortillas were handmade daily. Brussels sprout tostadas were just right with the grilled vegetables and crispy tortilla. The Mexican salad was authentic and fresh. The flan was the real deal. Our server was very friendly and professional. I would go back here day or night. read more

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Stopped at Big Star on a whim in a crisp fall afternoon. Their patio is covered and heated (had to take off our layers) and, fortunately, there were plenty of open tables when we arrived. My partner and I ordered a variety of tacos and split the corn meal pancakes. I was craving quality pancakes & was surprised they were on the menu. Better yet, the textute of the pancakes were perfection. I could've eaten the pancakes plain. Didn't though. And the cinnamon sugar butter made the meal feel like a celebration! I'm usually grabbing big star to-go to enjoy with friends at home but I was reminded why it's been such a neighborhood favorite. Large patio space, great "texmex" tacos, and a large bar selection of that's your thing! Not to mention the large TVs for sports viewing. I steer clear because of the crowds, but on a Saturday afternoon, we had plenty of space to ourselves and saw a handful of other young families (even infants!). I'm sure we'll find another excuse to come back soon. read more

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A little overpriced but Big Star is in such a good spot that it's worth paying a bit extra to sit out on their patio and have some delicious tacos. It's definitely more of a Mexican place, but they do have a salad and a burger on the menu. Drinks include everything from margaritas to IPAs and are an average price for the area. You can even try their exotic walking taco, which literally comes in a Fritos bag and requires a fork! read more

Big Star - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a place I want to love. And there are a couple great parts. Stopped in for lunch before a Sunday 1:20 Cubs game. We had an 11:45 reservation (that I made the night before). The service was quick and friendly. We were done and headed to the ballpark by 12:30. The atmosphere is fun, we were there in April, I bet in the summer it's even better. The Al pastor tacos were really good. Juicy, flavorful, good bits of pineapple. We also had chicken, carne asada, and the papas con rajas (potato) tacos. Those were all fine. Not amazing, not bad. The potato tacos were reasonably spicy. The sprout tostada was interesting. It tasted fine but nothing outstanding. Our teens were happy they could get smash burgers, so that was good. Bottled sodas are fun but will drive the bill up fast if everyone is getting more than one. Solid choice on a Cubs game day especially if you can get a reservation. But in April it honestly wasn't even that packed. read more

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Great service. Server was super helpful and friendly. Food and drinks were superb. been there twice and the food and service was great both times. read more

Such a hot day!!!! And we couldn't get into the Thai restraint we wanted to try so we walked here. First thing first, we were so thirsty!!! I ordered the citrus agua Fresca. Oommggaaaahhh it was so refreshing and delicious. Such a big cup for a decent price. I did have to water it down because it was pretty concentrated, gave me a bigger serving! Can't beat that. Tacos tacos! !!' All of it was so good! Barbacoa, al pastor and tilapia. The Al Pastor was my favorite!!! Glad I grabbed two. Barack was next and then the fish. Fish tacos are not always good and this was good! Each taco was filled with so much protein. The restaurant is pretty big with lots of seating inside and out. Service was outstanding!!! I honestly did not have a great time in Chicago with service and she gave the best service! This was my last meal and she gave me the best ending to my visit to Chicago!!!! Very upbeat, always smiled, seemed like she loved her job and was having fun at the same time, most I potently she was honest and didn't just give me an answer to get a bigger bill for a bigger tip. I would definitely recommend this place to Chicago visitors. read more

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The outside patio ambiance is spectacular here! We walked by and saw a ton of people sitting outside, and decided to eat here on a whim. We were able to get seated instantly. We tried the Al pastor nachos which were phenomenal! The entire dish was great but the standout part of it was the salsa seca. It's unlike any salsa I've had before, and it was very similar to asian-style chili crisp. It was a flavor bomb each time I could get a scoop of the salsa seca. We came back again for their Pig Star event, where they partner with a local chef to roast a whole pig and have special offerings. It also happened to be happy hour where we could get half off margarita pitchers. I had a reservation for 6 people just in case but it wasn't necessary in order to get seated. The tamales and quesadilla were really good, but the nachos from the standard menu were still my favorite. A pro tip that I learned from our server is that you can ask for the salsa seca on side, and it goes well with the Camarones Fritos! read more

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Been here a few times but it's been a few years probably. Came here on a rainy Friday night. They had a party going on outside and inside was packed but we did find seats at the bar. This place is very loud but bar service was attentive and fast. All our tacos were delicious. I will be back! read more

Big Star - Menu and beer - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was a great taco place! I recommend going on a day with good weather, so you can enjoy their amazing patio. It's huge and has a great atmosphere. Our service was a little slow, but our food came out SUPER quick. We started with chips & guac, which was a pretty small portion considering the price, but it tasted really good. I loved their thick tortilla chips and the guac was very fresh. We got a ton of different tacos, but they were all delicious. Fresh, authentic, & flavorful. I really want to go back & try one of their margaritas!!! read more

Big Star - Chips, Guac & Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Big Star is a casual dining experience. It does feel like every time I come here, the prices are going up and the food is getting lesser in quantity. (I guess we can blame the inflation), this time I came on a Halloween and it was decked up in Halloween decorations. We immediately got the table with no wait time since it was a week day. The vegetarian options were actually really good. I eat meat and still enjoyed the potato taco, walking taco, and cauliflower taco. I also got chicken taco. Overall I would rate everything as almost 4/5 Our server was very sweet and attentive. 5/5 for the service. read more

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Great food, fun atmosphere, and friendly service = an easy five star rating. I'm particularly a fan of coming here in the summer and having my meal in their outdoor seating area. If you're craving solid tacos with a few cold beers in a great environment I would recommend stopping by Big Star. read more

Great seating options and one of my favorite places to go to for good weather patio seating. Margaritas are delicious! The tacos are all good too! Only downside is side is that it is a little on the pricey side but always good service and easily accessible restaurant! read more

Food is good. Tipping situation here is bullshit. Don't charge a "hospitality supplement". I don't know what that is and no one else does either. It just makes the checkout process more complicated. Got the nachos today. The cheese on them was nasty. Avoid them. It's like fake cheese sauce. read more

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45 minutes for a drink. we had a group of 6 all ordered separately, for some reason all tacos came on one plate. Salsa cups for chips and salsa were filled about 1/5 of the way. drinks were not good food was meh. Overall, I would not come back unless I was paid read more

Big Star is one of my go to places to take people from out of town when we've exhausted the pizza/italian options. The menu has a decent amount of vegetarian options and the atmosphere is always lovely. Naturally the walking taco is always a hit and you can't have just one. Plus service is usually solid and we never have to wait too long for food to come out. read more

truly a staple place I go to anytime I come to the chi!!! the miche here are the best by far. their tacos are all fire. there are some also for the vegans and they are awesome also. I am not vegan and I will crush their papas con rajas tacos. I take them to go. their bourbon selection is fire also. come during the day. Jared the bartender is the best. very responsive! read more