Stephanie Izard to open taco joint in the United Center
As Big Star departs the arena, celebrity chef moves in with This Little Goat Went to the Taqueria
While the Chicago Bulls rebuild for a new season, the team’s home arena has announced a major acquisition. Girl & the Goat chef Stephanie Izard will take her talents to the United Center later this year as Izard will bring street tacos to the West Side arena. The effort is called This Little Goat Went to the Taqueria.
All ticket holders, not just at the suite or club level, will have access to these tacos. The space is located on the United Center’s main concourse, the 100 level. But reps for Levy, which handles food service at the
arena, didn’t specify exactly where.
There’s already a popular street taco vendor on the concourse as One Off Hospitality Group’s Big Star has been selling tacos, nachos, and margaritas on tap since 2015. Big Star has carved out a spot with seating and touchscreen ordering. A Big Star rep confirmed that the honky-tonk taco spot is leaving the United Center. Big Star had two United Center locations, one on the main concourse and another on the club level.
“We had a great four-year partnership with the United Center, bringing the Big Star brand to fans within the stadium,” a One Off statement read. “We are focusing on exciting new projects across the group.”
While Big Star’s offerings are more Mexican and Tex-Mex, This Little Goat’s will feature Asian, Central American, and Caribbean flavors.
The 2018-19 seasons were disappointing as the Bulls and Blackhawks failed to reach the playoffs. Izard hasn’t experienced a drought in her success, as she’s had only a three-month gap since she and Boka Restaurant Group opened perhaps the hottest new restaurant in Chicago: Cabra at the Hoxton, the Fulton Market hotel.