Big Star Starts Taking Credit Cards Today
By Mae Rice in Food on Apr 19, 2016 6:43PM
It's been a big day of taco news. Not only did Rick Bayless invent the optimal taco for stoners—Wicker Park taco-and-marg paradise Big Star started taking credit cards today, Eater reports. This comes after the iconic spot (which has made so many of our Best Of lists it's hard to even find them all) was cash-only for a solid seven years.
Terry Alexander, managing partner of Big Star's ownership group, One Off Hospitality, told Eater the decision to take cards was spurred by customer requests and the simple fact that "technology has advanced." Eater also reports prices at Big Star won't go up to compensate for credit card fees.
You can read Alexander's full statement on the change in policy over at Eater. We also reached out to Big Star for further comment, and will update if we hear back.
Update, 2:50 p.m.: A representative for Big Star confirmed that the restaurant will now accept "all major credit cards" at both its takeout window and in the restaurant proper. Another representative fleshed out the rationale behind the change in an email statement:
When Big Star first opened, nearly everything on the menu, cocktail list and beer list was under $10, which made the cash-only policy relatively easy. Also, by avoiding the credit card fees that would be place on transactions, Big Star was able to keep tacos, shots and Schlitz at $3. However, in recent years Big Star has had the opportunity to offer some truly unique allocated whiskeys, which are prominently featured on the Reserve List. We realize the cash-only policy has become a hindrance to our whiskey connoisseurs (and honestly everyone else). As such, Big Star is excited to sling tacos and shots of whiskey without the hassle of ATM fees.