You've probably heard about a new whiskey-fueled, taco-slinging late-night honky-tonk in Wicker Park. Turns
out…it's true. (When guys from Avec, Blackbird and the Violet Hour get together, word spreads.)
Now we could get rhapsodic about Paul Kahan hashing out tacos, but this place is mostly just a bar—with a stunning collection of bourbon, tequila and superb taste in country music…okay, we're getting rhapsodic. Let's get more objective: a by-the numbers report of opening night at Big Star.
People waiting outside at 8pm: 7
Number of leggy young women who bypassed said line: 5
Estimated days until walk-up taqueria window opens: 5
People spotted staring longingly into the taqueria window at 8pm: 1
Time we were let in: 8:12pm
Stools at the bar: 34
Available bar stools at 8:12pm: 0
Time we find a stool at the bar, flag down a bartender and order: 9pm
Estimated Wicker Park Hipster to Wicker Park foodie ratio*: 1:4
Number of tacos on menu: 3
Number available since the Tacos al Pastor (spit-roasted pork shoulder, grilled pineapple, grilled onion) was sold out: 2
Number of fancy-ish, Violet Hour-style cocktails like the Whiskey Cobbler (Woodford Reserve, Amaro CioCiaro, muddled orange): 12
Cost of cocktails: $7
Number of bourbons, ryes and other whiskeys: 59
Number of tequilas and mezcals: 25
Number of scotches: 0
Number of beers on tap: 5
Number of beer in bottles: 21
Cost of a 7-ounce Schlitz: $1
Total bill for 3 tacos, 1 tostada, 1 bag of chips and salsa, 1 Wild Turkey, 2 Green Flash IPAs, 2 Lone Stars, 1 guacamole, 1 order of Frijoles Charros: $46
Number of Twitter foodie fights inspired by reviews of opening night: 1 too many
*using our proprietary flannel shirt vs. designer eyeglass frame measuring system
Now we could get rhapsodic about Paul Kahan hashing out tacos, but this place is mostly just a bar—with a stunning collection of bourbon, tequila and superb taste in country music…okay, we're getting rhapsodic. Let's get more objective: a by-the numbers report of opening night at Big Star.
People waiting outside at 8pm: 7
Number of leggy young women who bypassed said line: 5
Estimated days until walk-up taqueria window opens: 5
People spotted staring longingly into the taqueria window at 8pm: 1
Time we were let in: 8:12pm
Stools at the bar: 34
Available bar stools at 8:12pm: 0
Time we find a stool at the bar, flag down a bartender and order: 9pm
Estimated Wicker Park Hipster to Wicker Park foodie ratio*: 1:4
Number of tacos on menu: 3
Number available since the Tacos al Pastor (spit-roasted pork shoulder, grilled pineapple, grilled onion) was sold out: 2
Number of fancy-ish, Violet Hour-style cocktails like the Whiskey Cobbler (Woodford Reserve, Amaro CioCiaro, muddled orange): 12
Cost of cocktails: $7
Number of bourbons, ryes and other whiskeys: 59
Number of tequilas and mezcals: 25
Number of scotches: 0
Number of beers on tap: 5
Number of beer in bottles: 21
Cost of a 7-ounce Schlitz: $1
Total bill for 3 tacos, 1 tostada, 1 bag of chips and salsa, 1 Wild Turkey, 2 Green Flash IPAs, 2 Lone Stars, 1 guacamole, 1 order of Frijoles Charros: $46
Number of Twitter foodie fights inspired by reviews of opening night: 1 too many
*using our proprietary flannel shirt vs. designer eyeglass frame measuring system
