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Big and Little's Debuts in Wicker Park With Fried Soft Shell Crab Sandwich

By Alisa Hauser | September 4, 2015 6:44pm | Updated on September 8, 2015 10:51am
 Big & Little's is now open at 1310 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park.
Big & Little's in Wicker Park
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WICKER PARK — Big & Little's, a popular fast casual joint with somewhat of a cult following for its hearty po' boys, fish tacos and truffle fries, has arrived to Wicker Park's Milwaukee Avenue.

Though officially planning to debut on Tuesday, the chain "soft opened" the doors to its third location around 3 p.m. Friday to kick off the Labor Day weekend.

General Manager Omar Cadena said the hours of operation are still being worked out, but Big & Little's will likely stay open as late as 3 a.m. on weekends. 

Located at 1310 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the former Sunny Nails spot, Big & Little's offers about 80 seats, with a roll of paper towels and a squeeze bottle of ketchup at every table.

Co-owners Tony D'Alessandro and Gary Strauss commissioned street artist Tyrue "Slang" Jones to create a mural along one of the walls that features a bright cityscape. In an interview with Eater, D'Alessandro described the interior vibe as "Gotham City meets Lego Land."


The soft shell crab sandwich is a new menu item only available at Big & Little's Wicker Park location [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

Tony Lee, owner of Belmont Army, a clothing store a few doors down from Big & Little's, was among the first people to eat there on Friday, selecting a Samurai taco, made with fried whitefish, jalapeno, lettuce, soy-based sweet sauce, lime juice and sesame seeds.

"I've been waiting so long for this to open, it's great,"  Lee said.

Cadena, previously with Irazu for many years, joined Big & Little's in 2013 and after running the Lakeview restaurant has been permanently tapped to oversee Wicker Park, which employs around 20 people.

Fans of Big & Little's River North and Lakeview spots might be happy to see that the menu for Wicker Park is mostly the same, though a few new additions available only in Wicker Park (for now) are a soft shell crab sandwich and an Ahi tuna steak salad.

Ahi tuna salad, a new item only on Big & Little's Wicker Park menu; $9.99 [All photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

The al pastor burger made with fried pork belly, Swiss cheese, jalapeno and pineapple; $5.99

Big & Little's, 1310 N. Milwaukee Ave.  Ph: 773-698-7777. Hours are to be determined. Visit Big & Little's Facebook page for updates.

Big & Little's Wicker Park Menu by Big & Little's

 

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