CHICAGO — Big Star might have ditched its cash-only policy, but the city still has a lot of holdouts.
The restaurant made the big switch and started accepting credit cards because guests wanted the change, technology has advanced and Big Star needed to move forward with the neighborhood, said Terry Alexander, One Off Hospitality Group Managing partner.
"When new restaurants are opening in the area and places down the block are accepting credit cards, we asked ourselves, why doesn’t Big Star?" Alexander said. "Accepting credit cards will make the dining experience more convenient for guests and, with the advances in technology and point of sale systems, paying with a card is now quicker than cash."
Of course, not every restaurant agrees, and there are still a ton of places where your credit card is no good.
Here are a few cash-only holdouts around the city:
Billy Goat, 430 N. Michigan Ave. (and other locations)
Tufano's Vernon Park Tap, 1073 W. Vernon Park Place
BIG & little's Restaurant, 860 N. Orleans St.
L and L Tavern, 3207 N. Clark St.
Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway Ave.
Rainbo Club, 1150 N. Damen Ave.
Tweet, 5020 N. Sheridan Road
Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan Road
Taste of Lebanon, 1509 W. Foster Ave.
Mr. Beef on Orleans, 666 N. Orleans St.
Nuevo Leon, 1515 W. 18th St. (temporarily closed due to a fire)
Valois, 1518 E. 53rd St.
Carol's Pub, 4659 N. Clark St.
Irazu, 1865 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Calumet Fisheries, 3259 E. 95th St.
Fatso's Last Stand, 2258 W. Chicago Ave.
Lawrence Fish Market, 3914 W. Lawrence Ave.
Parts and Labor, 2700 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Bullhead Cantina, 1143 N. California Ave.
L'Patron Tacos, 2815 W. Diversey Ave.
Andy's Thai Kitchen, 946 W. Wellington Ave.
Schaller's Pump, 3714 S. Halsted St.
Sultan's Market, 2057 W. North Ave.
Farraguts, 5240 N. Clark St.
Feed, 2803 W. Chicago Ave.
Boiler Room, 2210 N. California Ave.
Red Hot Ranch, 2072 N. Western Ave.
Johnny O's Hot Dogs, 946 W. 35th St.
Richard's Bar, 491 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Flying Saucer, 1123 N. California Ave.
New York Delicatessen, 2921 N. Clark St.
Friar Tuck, 3010 N. Broadway
Sportsman's Club, 948 N. Western Ave.
Podhalanka, 1549 W. Division St.
Whirlaway, 3224 W. Fullerton Ave.
Skylark, 2149 S. Halsted St.
Simon's Tavern, 5210 N. Clark St.
Bernice's Tavern, 3238 S. Halsted St.
Cozy Noodles & Rice, 3456 N. Sheffield Ave.
The Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave.
Reno, 2607 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Archie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern, 2600 W. Iowa St.
Chilam Balam, 3023 N. Broadway
The Chipp Inn, 832 N. Greenview Ave.
The Old Town Ale House, 219 W. North Ave.
Nicky's Hot Dogs, 6142 S. Archer Ave.
Parisi's Drive-in, 6216 W. 63rd St.
Zakopane, 1734 W. Division St.
Authentaco, 1141 N. Ashland Ave.
Sky-Ride Tap, 105 W. Van Buren St.
The Barrel, 2015 S. Damen Ave.
Baby Atlas, 3101 N. Sheffield Ave. (bar under Matilda)
Bob Inn, 2609 W. Fullerton Ave.
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