In the summer months, this patio at Big Star Chicago is teeming with people.

Big Star

Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village


This former gas station is now a taco-serving honky-tonk bar from big-name Chicago chef Paul Kahan. The place gets packed but it's worth the wait – pork belly in tomato-guajillo chili sauce and mole-spiced carrots drizzled with date-infused yogurt accompany the whiskey- and agave-based cocktail list. Vegan options available. If the table-studded patio is too crowded, order from the walk-up window.


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