Big Star

Looking for clean design? Exposed bulbs, pale green walls, large, hip wooden booths? Searching for a honky-tonk? Blaring country music, an encyclopedic selection of cheap bourbon and whiskey? In the mood for trendy Mexican food? Sonoran hot dogs, doused in mayo, guacamole, hit with a fiery touch of chile peppers, guacamole studded with julienned radish to cool the burn, or potato and chorizo tostadas smeared with black bean paste? Just go to Big Star. A fun, crowded, loud, easy going bar with a walk up window for those addicting tacos (also available in tender al pastor with pineapple or tinga, a slightly bland chicken thigh sprinkled with mild queso fresco). Should you want to sample a Kentucky Bourbon from a certain distillery, they probably have it at a reasonable price, but cash only, please. And be prepared to wait, especially for a booth (there are only a few). Instead have a seat at the bar, get comfortable elbowing your neighbor, listen to the roots music, and start picking bourbons and tacos. Ah, life's simple pleasures.