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Big Wig Tacos - River North
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Big Wig Tacos - River North
8.5
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Opened in 2017 by River North Hospitality, Big Wig is the neighborhood’s high-volume, late-night taco counter built around grilled skirt steak and customizable vessels. With thousands of app ratings and steady bar-traffic demand, it’s the reliable move for fast tacos, burritos, and nachos before or after a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Premium Skirt Steak Taco, Classic Everyday Tacos (onion and cilantro), Loaded nachos with queso and choice of protein
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: High-volume counter spot focused on skirt steak tacos, big portions, and late hours.
Who should go: Bar-hoppers and night-shift workers needing fast tacos.
When to visit: Late nights and post-bar hours when the line moves fastest.
What to order: Premium skirt steak tacos, Classic Everyday Tacos, loaded nachos.
Insider tip: Keep toppings simple on steak tacos—onion, cilantro, salsa—to taste the marinade.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive at night; most guests rely on nearby paid garages or rideshare.
Dress code: Casual — bar clothes, jeans, and late-night wear are all common.
Noise level: Loud during late hours with steady bar-traffic flow; conversation is brief and counter-style rather than sit-down.
Weekend wait: Usually a short counter line (5–15 minutes), longer right after bar close.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal to no wait outside peak office lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, bowls, and customizable builds are available.
Vegan options: Limited — can modify veggie items, but sauces and toppings may contain dairy.
Gluten-free options: Some fillings can be served on corn tortillas or in a bowl, but there is no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional first date — it’s counter-service, fast, and geared toward quick late-night fuel rather than lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is limited and mostly counter or small tables, so plan to order, eat quickly, or take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally fine for quick daytime or early-evening meals, but late-night crowds skew bar-adjacent and may feel too loud for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Late-night speed, big portions for the price, and reliable skirt-steak tacos when other kitchens are closed.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, quieter atmosphere, or broader chef-driven taco menu — a full-service taqueria will be a better fit.
Big Wig Tacos - River North
8.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
High-volume River North counter serving build-your-own burritos and tacos deep into the night. Locals treat it as a reliable move for oversized burritos, late-night fuel, and delivery-friendly combos that travel well.
Must-Try Dishes:
Custom steak burrito with all the toppings, Chicken burrito with rice, beans, and salsa, Cali-style loaded burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: High-volume, build-your-own burrito shop that stays busy late.
Who should go: Night owls and office workers craving big burritos.
When to visit: Late nights or post-bar hours for maximum energy.
What to order: Custom steak burrito, chips with queso, horchata.
Insider tip: Use the build-your-own burrito with extra protein for best value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited; nearby paid garages and metered spots are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; streetwear, gym clothes, and late-night attire are all common.
Noise level: Moderate to loud late at night — easy enough to order and chat briefly, but not ideal for long conversations.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes, with short lines during late-night rushes.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, occasional short queue during peak office lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — build-your-own burritos and tacos can be made vegetarian with beans, rice, and veggies.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with custom builds (no cheese, crema, or queso), but options are basic.
Gluten-free options: Partial — bowls work as a gluten-free alternative to tortillas, but no dedicated gluten-free prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual, low-key meetup or late-night stop than a traditional first date — it’s fast-casual counter service with limited ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with first-come seating; expect to grab a quick table or take your order to go during busy periods.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick, casual meals — simple burrito and taco builds work for older kids; limited seating and late-night crowds make it less ideal for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night burritos, big customizable portions, fast counter service, and delivery-friendly combos that travel well.
Skip if: You want a sit-down dinner, craft cocktails, or a more atmospheric dining experience — choose a full-service Mexican spot instead.
Big Wig Tacos - River North
8.7
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Big Wig’s River North outpost runs tacos and burritos around the clock, built on open-flame grilled skirt steak and made-to-order toppings. Night workers, bar crawlers, and delivery regulars lean on it for fast, inexpensive tacos that stay remarkably consistent even at 3 a.m.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Premium Skirt Steak Taco, Chicken Taco, Homemade Chips & Queso
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: 24-hour counter-service tacos with open-flame grilled skirt steak and strong value.
Who should go: Night owls wanting reliable, customizable tacos on a budget.
When to visit: After midnight when most River North kitchens have closed.
What to order: Classic Premium Skirt Steak Taco, Chicken Taco, Chips & Queso.
Insider tip: Order a mix of tacos and one shared queso; portions run generous for the price.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive at night; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option. No valet.
Dress code: Very casual — come as you are; late-night crowd in hoodies, jeans, and workwear.
Noise level: Moderate to loud late at night with bar-crowd traffic; quieter during daytime hours.
Weekend wait: Short counter line is common after midnight — typically 5–15 minutes.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a brief 2–5 minute line.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable and bean fillings are available and tacos can be built to order.
Vegan options: Limited — can customize veggie tacos without cheese or crema; no dedicated vegan station.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are available, but cross-contact is possible in a shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a casual, grab-and-go vibe — it’s better suited to late-night fuel than a conversational sit-down date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service and walk-in only; most guests eat quickly or take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Daytime and early evening are fine for families; the after-midnight crowd skews adult and can feel hectic for young kids.
Best For
Better for: Fast, budget-friendly tacos with reliable consistency at true late-night and overnight hours.
Skip if: You want a sit-down dining room, craft-cocktail atmosphere, or chef-driven taco experience.