Located within the forthcoming Hotel Zachary, a four-star development by Hickory Street Capital, an entity owned by the Ricketts family, (owners of the Cubs baseball team), Big Star Wrigleyville will offer more to love than ever before, encompassing two stories and 9,000 square feet of prime taco territory. True to its summer patio-party roots, Big Star Wrigleyville carries on the tradition of al fresco dining, boasting an expansive 87-seat patio that overlooks the city’s iconic ballpark. Inside, Big Star regulars should feel right at home surrounded by decor reminiscent of the original Wicker Park location with restaurant and bar seating for 383 guests. The second floor is available for hosting private and semi-private events, and both levels feature fully retractable siding for that quintessential Big Star outdoor dining experience.
Executive Chef/Partner Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Julie Warpinski draw inspiration from authentic Mexican street food such as Al Pastor, Baja Fish, and Panza tacos using tortillas made in house daily. Guests can expect the same Big Star favorites they’ve grown to know and love, like made from scratch guacamole or the Queso Fundido, a melted Chihuahua cheese dip featuring house-made chorizo and fresh rajas poblano peppers. The food menu is complemented by margaritas made with fresh lime juice, an expansive single barrel whiskey catalog, and of course, an array of cheap and delicious beer. For those who prefer their tacos on the go, a Big Star Wrigleyville taco take-out window will open later this summer.
Bringing the spirited soul of Wicker Park to Wrigleyville’s buzzing sports-centric neighborhood, Big Star Wrigleyville will evoke the same unassuming vibes as its original location. The taqueria’s eclectic soundtrack will range from classic country to 70s rock & roll, spun by a musically inclined bar staff. To carry on Big Star’s legacy of fostering Chicago’s local artists and musicians, Big Star Wrigleyville will also double as a performance space, showcasing live music periodically throughout the year including new projects from Big Star Recording Co., founded in 2016 which launched its first LP “Bucking The Tiger” by Quarter Mile Thunder in September 2017.
Unlike its Wicker Park counterpart, Big Star Wrigleyville will feature eight retractable TV screens for prime-time game watching (purists needn’t fear, the TVs will be tucked away on non-game days). In order for the classic Big Star experience to translate authentically to the new space, all food and beverage pricing will stay consistent with the original location, on game days and non-game days alike.
Big Star Wrigleyville will open doors in time for the Cubs home opener in early April. The people have spoken, and they want tacos.
Big Star Wrigleyville, is a bourbon and beer-focused, taco-slinging, honky-tonk hangout and industry favorite in the heart of Chicago’s iconic Wrigleyville neighborhood. Executive Chef/Partner Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Julie Warpinski draw inspiration from authentic Mexican street food, utilizing fresh ingredients and handmade tortillas. The extensive bourbon program is unlike any other in the country and boasts 20 exclusive House Barrel selections straight from the heart of Kentucky. Located within Hotel Zachary, a four-star hotel development by the Ricketts family, the two-story, 9,000 square foot restaurant and bar features an expansive patio and serves as an homage to the gas station bars found around Bakersfield, California. Big Star Wrigleyville is located at 3640 N Clark St.