What to order at Big Star

Must order
Three al pastor tacos, a frozen margarita, chips with the smoky tomato salsa.
Signature dishes
Al pastor taco, Frozen margarita
Editor tip
The patio queue is long in summer. The walk-up window pays out a perfectly good takeaway dinner in five minutes.
CuisineTaqueria
Price$$
NeighborhoodWicker Park Bucktown
HoursMon-Thu 11:30-22:00; Fri 11:30-23:00; Sat 11:00-23:00; Sun 11:00-22:00
Last verified

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Location

Address: 1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

More casual dining in Chicago

La Chaparrita ★ 4.6

$ Mexican TaqueriaLittle Village

La Chaparrita in Chicago is the Little Village taqueria off 26th Street with handmade-tortilla tacos from a small storefront counter, run by the Loera family.

OrderSuadero and tripa tacos, with a sip of agua de jamaica.

TipCash only. The salsas at the counter are unmarked; ask which is the hottest and start there.

Hopleaf Bar ★ 4.4

$$ BelgianAndersonville

Hopleaf in Chicago is the Andersonville Belgian beer bar on Clark since 1992, with moules frites, a 200-bottle Belgian list and the cashew-butter-and-fig.

OrderMoules frites with the Belgian-frites mayo. CB&J sandwich for the table.

TipThe back dining room takes walk-ups only. Aim for 17:00 on Sunday to land it for dinner without waiting.

Calumet Fisheries ★ 4.5

$ American BBQEast Side

Calumet Fisheries in Chicago is the East Side smokehouse on the 95th Street bridge since 1948, with smoked chub, fried perch and shrimp wrapped in butcher.

OrderSmoked chub by the piece and a fried perch fillet plate.

TipCash only, no seating. Walk to the bridge and eat the chub on the railing watching the boats; that is the meal.

Greek Islands ★ 4.0

$$ GreekGreektown

Greek Islands in Chicago is the Greektown standard on South Halsted since 1971, with the flaming saganaki tableside-presentation that the neighbourhood made.

OrderSaganaki (Opa!), lamb on the spit, gyros plate to share.

TipSunday lunch with the family is the room's natural use. Book a long table and a bottle of Boutari.

Lou Malnati's (Lincoln Park) ★ 4.4

$$ Chicago Deep-dish PizzaLincoln Park

Lou Malnati's in Chicago is the Lincoln Park branch of the deep-dish chain founded 1971 by Lou (Rudy Malnati Sr.'s son), butter-crust pies with The Lou.

OrderThe Lou with sausage, plus a small Malnati Salad first, with sweet vinaigrette.

TipOrder the pizza when you sit; baking takes 45 minutes. Otherwise you wait twice.

Pequod's Pizza ★ 4.5

$$ PizzeriaLincoln Park

Pequod's Pizza in Chicago is the Lincoln Park pan-pizza institution on Clybourn since 1971, the caramelised cheese ring around the crust copied.

OrderMedium pan pizza, sausage and mushroom, with extra cheese around the rim.

TipWalk in at 16:30 to beat the queue; tables fill before the kitchen opens for dinner service.

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