I first heard of BIG & little's from a friend one day during a discussion on where to get good tacos for lunch. It was then that I put it on my mental To Do list, since finding the best tacos ever is an ongoing quest of mine. My next encounter with the restaurant came while casually channel surfing late one night. I stopped on one of my favorite networks (The Food Network), and there on the screen were the namesakes of the place, Big and Little, setting up a sting operation on the show Mystery Diners. It seemed like fate when a few weeks later I found a deal for $20 toward food at Big and little's.
There are two locations now of the much-loved Chicago joint, and I found myself in the area of the original one day and decided the time had finally arrived. I was mildly excited to pull up in the parking lot of the restaurant I had seen on TV just a few weeks before. While waiting in the short line to order, I browsed the menu, trying to choose the perfect way to spend my $20. I decided tacos was the way to go and, since I had heard such good things about their fish tacos, I knew their classic “Big & little” fish taco was definitely a must. The rest of my money went toward a spicy beef short rib taco, cajun fries, a fountain drink, another “Big & little” fish taco for my boyfriend as well as a lamb gyro taco for him.
The tacos did not disappoint, but they also did not blow my mind. I thought my beef short rib taco with spicy thai sauce was excellent; my boyfriend enjoyed his lamb taco, and we both thought the fish tacos were good but not the best we had ever had. One of the best parts of the whole experience was getting to see and meet ‘Big' in person after seeing him on TV (he took our order). It was also incredibly cool to see where Guy Fieri signed the wall when eating there for his show Diners, Drive In's and Dives.
Big & little: you were cool! But the quest for the best tacos continues…
The Deal
I Spent: $20 $12
I Got: Four tacos, a drink, and fries
Restaurant Info:
860 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL
(312) 943-0000
