BIG STAR.

Chicago Health Dept

1531 N DAMEN AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2024.

15 inspections on record since 2013 · Last inspected Apr 2024.

Last inspected Apr 2024. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

APR 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

APR 30

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOODS HELD AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 45-48 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED: 1/4 POUND COOKED VEGETABLES, 2 POUNDS FISH FILET, 1/2 POUND CHORIZO, 1 POUND CUT LEAFY GREENS, AND 1/3 POUND CHEESE ($200). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED 2 COOLERS WITH INADEQUATE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES OF 51 F AND 53 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS HAVE AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

JUL 21

2023

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON WALK-IN COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Sanitation

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON EXTERIOR OF USED COOKING OIL CONTAINER LOCATED IN IN REAR GARBAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

MAR 15

2022

PASS 4 violations

Serious Food Temperature

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED THE TORTILA CHIP SCOOPER STORED ON THE SIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING WITH FOOD CONTACT SURFACE EXPOSED. INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO PROPERLY STORE TORTILLA SCOOPER BETWEEN USES.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB ABOVE THE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

AUG 6

2020

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

PLASTIC DELI CUPS NOT AIR DRIED AFTER WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO AIR DRY UTENSILS AFTER WASHING.

Minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

PAPER DISPOSABLE CUPS USED AS A FOOD SCOOP, INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSILS.

JUL 29

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF COLD TCS FOODS STORED IN FRONT 3-DOOR PREP COOLER OBSERVED COOKED CHORIZO AT 47.3F, POBLANO RAJAS WITH SOUR CREAM AT 52.9F AND CHIHUAHUA CHEESE AT 48.8F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD APPROXIMATELY 26.25LBS VALUE OF $161.57. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COLD TCS FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED. COS.

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED IMPROPER DATE MARKING ON TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND PREP COOLERS. MUST PROPERLY LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED DOOR GASKET IN POOR REPAIR AT THE FRONT 1-DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS AND DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS ABOVE PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND DISH MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

show all 15 inspections →

JAN 30

2018

PASS 1 violation

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

NOTED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS OVER COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

MAY 12

2017

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE ACCUMULATION ON THE HOODVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE HOODVENTS SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

OCT 25

2016

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE.FOUND MELTED CHEESE(MADE WITH MILK AND FLOUR) INSIDE A WHITE CONTAINER,STORED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AT TEMP OF 55.3F TO 55.4F.PRODUCTS WAS COOKED YESTERDAY,COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 40F AND BELOW.FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUNDS 8,VALUE 60 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED PLASTIC CONTAINERS INIDE DRY FOOD(SUGAR,FLOUR ETC)INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE UTENSILS/SCOOP WITH HANDLES.

MAY 16

2016

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

PARTIALLY MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THE HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

MAY 9

2016

FAIL 2 violations

Serious Other

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 2-5-16,REPORT#163407 #38- SLOW DRAINING MIDDLE SINK AT BAR NORTH SIDE ,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE. OBSERVED PLASTICS CAPS BEING USED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THREE PROPER STOPPERS. WE(MANAGERS AND MYSELF)OBSERVED TODAY THE SAME VIOLATION SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-42-090

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

PARTIALLY MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THE HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

FEB 5

2016

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 12 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE:COOKED CARROTS STORED INSIDE THE TORTILLAS HOT HOLDING UNIT AT TEMP OF 88.7F.UNIT MAINTAINS TEMP OF 124.6F TO 128.9F.HOT FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 140F AND ABOVE.FOOD WITH TEMPERATURE ABUSE DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER.POUNDS 2, VALUE $10. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A).

Critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES. OBSERVED THE COOK WITH GLOVED HANDS PICKING COOKED FOOD AND EATING THEM, THEN WIPED HANDS ON BLUE LINENS AND CONTINUE TO HANDLE FOOD, ALSO SCRATCHING FOREHEAD AND CONTINUED TO COOK, OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH GLOVED HANDS TOUCHING NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACE SUCH AS: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, GARBAGE CANS, DIRTY HANDLES FROM WALK-IN COOLER, WIPING HANDS WITH BLUE LINEN CLOTHS, WHICH EVERY EMPLOYEE HAVE ATTACHED ON APRON, BELT OR LEFT ON TOP THE PREP TABLES/CUTTING BOARDS. NO HAND WASHING NOR REMOVAL OF GLOVES WAS OBSERVED AFTER EACH TASK.EMPLOYEE WERE HANDLING READY TO EAT FOOD:LETTUCE,CHEESE ETC. AND COOKING,PREPARING FOOD. HAND WASHING INFORMATION GIVEN TO MANAGER. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-010(A).

Critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK AT PREP AREA (EMPLOYEES WERE PREPARING FOOD:HOME MADE TORTILLAS). OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WIPING HER HANDS ON BLUE LINEN WHICH WAS STORED ON TOP CUTTING BOARD, DUE TO NO PAPER PROVIDED. UPON MY REQUEST MANAGER PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-030.

Serious Other

* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS

PREVIOUS SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED/VISIBLE TO CUSTMERS ON PREMISES FROM 12-29-15, REPORT #1445388. PRESENTLY POSTED IS THE SUMMARY FROM JANUARY 12, 2015. NEW SUMMARY REPORT GIVEN AND POSTED. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-42-010(B).

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

KNIVES STORED BETWEEN THE PREP TABLE AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE PROPERLY STORED,OR PROVIDE A KNIFE RACK

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

DEBRIS AT INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENTS,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INCLUDED DEEP FRIES . RUST INSIDE THE ICE BIN AT BAR AREA(EAST SITE),INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.DEBRIS ON PIPES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS,FILTERS AND HOOD.BLACK SLIME INSIDE THE CABINET UNDER THE WATER SINK AT WAITER STATION,ALSO AT OTHER SIDE CABINET HAS ACCUMULATION OF SPLATTERED FOOD,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

DETAIL CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE TORTILLA PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN IS IN POOR REPAIR, PEELING PAINT AND UNEVEN FLOOR, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALLS, UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENTS.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

BROKEN WALLS UNDER BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINKS IN THE KITCHEN, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. ALSO WALLS AROUND MOP SINK ARE DIRTY. CLEAN GRIMES ON WALLS UNDER THE DISHMACHINE, THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENTS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. REPAIR WALL WITH A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

SLOW DRAINING MIDDLE SINK AT BAR NORTH SIDE ,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE. OBSERVED PLASTICS CAPS BEING USED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THREE PROPER STOPPERS.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL PREP COOLERS.

Minor Sanitation

NO SMOKING REGULATIONS

NO "NO SMOKING" SIGN OR THE INTERNATIONAL "NO SMOKING" SYMBOL POSTED ON PREMISES. SIGNS TO BE POSTED AT EVERY ENTRANCE CLEARLY STATING THAT SMOKING IS PROHIBITED. POSTING OF SIGN: 7-32-020A. FIRST VIOLATION OF CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANACE.

DEC 29

2015

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE SALAD PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 49.5F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS CHEESE AND GUACAMOLE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE SALAD PREP COOLER AND THE TACO PREP COOLER. OBSERVED CHEESE AT 45.8F, SALSA AT 48.5F, BLACK BEANS AT 46.2F, GUACAMOLE AT 44F, CHORIZO AT 47.3F, AND CUT TOMATOES AT 43.7F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 18# OF FOOD WORTH $157. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

DETAIL CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE TORTILLA PREP AREA.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL PREP COOLERS.

JAN 12

2015

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST PROVIDE CLEAN SANITIZED KNIFE HOLDER. CAN NOT STORE BETWEEN EQUIPMENT. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

IN MENS ROOM HANDSINK ON THE LEFT IN NEED OF ADEQUETE WATER PRESSURE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

CLEAN ALL VENTS TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MAY 1

2014

PASS 5 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

REMOVE MILK CRATES AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING IN WALK-IN COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

REPAIR DAMAGED GASKET ON REAR NORTH DOOR.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

PROVIDE SHATTERPROOF BULBS IN PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP IN BAR AREA TO PREVENT BARE HAND CONTACT.

APR 16

2013

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

Storage shelves in prep area not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize daily.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

Floor in corners and behind equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

Light covers in prep area not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

Thermometer provided inside coolers not visible. Instructed to have all thermometers conspicuous inside coolers.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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