Girl & the Goat’s Stephanie Izard to Open a Taqueria in the United Center

The Chicago Bulls haven’t made any big free agent news in the world of basketball, but at least the team’s home arena, the United Center, has announced a major acquisition. Girl & the Goat chef Stephanie Izard will take her talents to the UC 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 statement from One Off’s partners read. “We are focusing on exciting new projects across the group including the recently opened Café Cancale and The Laurel Room, our new concept opening later this month on the rooftop above Pacific Standard Time.”

Levy [Official Photo]

While Big Star’s offerings are more Mexican and Tex-Mex, This Little Goat’s will feature Asian, Central American, and Caribbean flavors. A news release mentions it’ll serve other dishes, too. A rep described the opening as an attempt to make the United Center feel like a food hall. There’s no clarification to what that means, so fans will just have to wait for more news.

Last year, the United Center added Queenie’s Supper Club, a collaboration with Heisler Hospitality that didn’t impress at least one critic. Reps said they’ll have more new offerings for the 2019-20 season. 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 debuted in April at the Hoxton, the Fulton Market hotel.