Unable to make the Maxwell Street Market that morning, I sub-in a quick bite at Big Star instead. I had heard that there were long lines, to be aware that there was an alternate take-out line, that the patio was always packed, etc. Well apparently, noon on a Sunday is a good time to go – the minute it took to be carded was the most trouble we had getting into the place.

Having alerted our server to the fact that we had to eat-and-run (read: less than 30 minutes), all our food had hit the table within roughly 5 minutes of placing our order. Nice.

Lovely green colour on the guacamole and chips. Nice snack.

From upper-left, clock-wise: El Pastor, Borrego, Panza, and Rajas de Poblano. The Poblano was the best of the lot, though I did like the El Pastor too. At $2-$3 each, it was an easy choice to try them all.

And a dulche de leche licuado. Salty, sugary, creamy. It was a portable dessert as we ran to our next destination.

I don’t know if Big Star would have been as enjoyable had we had to wait, but I wish we’d had more time to spend there and relax. I really liked the converted garage space – lots of light and air. Maybe next visit!

  • Big Star 1531 North Damen Avenue, Chicago
  • Menu (on flickr)

More at Big Star

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