Chicago
52
YOUR CALL

Big Star

1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Wicker Park · Restaurant · High risk
YOUR CALL
52/100

Mixed record — 2 of 4 inspections passed

Inspections
4
2 passed
Last Inspected
2025-08-14
Pass Rate
50%
1 failure
Score
52/100
YOUR CALL
Failed 1 inspection (2025)
Sanitation issues found across 19 inspections
Employee Hygiene issues found across 5 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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Sanitation critical 19×
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
🐀
Pest Activity critical
🌡
Food Temperature serious
2025-08-14 Pass w/ Conditions Suspected Food Poisoning
CRITICAL 16
critical Sanitation

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY MALE FOOD HANDLERS WHILE HANDLING DIRTY TO CLEAN DISHES, ALSO A MALE FOOD HANDLER HANDLING A SOILED TOWEL AND A COOKED TORTILLA SHELL IN HIS HAND WHILE HE WIPED THE COUNTER. MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CON...

critical Employee Hygiene

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

OBSERVED BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT TORTILLA BEING REMOVED FROM GRILL BY FEMALE FOOD HANDLER. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED APPX. 2.8LBS. TORTILLA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO USE UTENSILS OR DISPOSABLE GLOVES TO HANDLE TCS FOODS.APPX.2.8LBS.$3.(PRIORITY ...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE IN FRONT OF THE MAIN PREP AREA.OBSERVED A PREP TABLE STORED IN FRONT OF SAID SINK. TABLE WAS REMOVED DURING INSPECTION. MUST KEEP HAND WASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CIT...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO SOAP AT MAIN PREP AREA HAND WASHING SINK SOAP WAS PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION )

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICES AT MAIN PREP AREA. HAND WASHING SINK, PAPER TOWEL WERE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION )

serious Food Temperature

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED A HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN USE. FINAL RINSE IS AT 147.0�F. MUST BE AT 180.0�F OR MORE.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY 7-38-025)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS) REPAIR PERSON ON SITE IS CHANGING FROM A HIGH TEMPERATURE TO A CHEMICAL DISH MA...

serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS, SUCH AS .5LBS. SLAW-47.3F.2.5LBS. COOKED ONIONS-46.0F-48.6F.12OZ. SALSA PICO-52.1F.12OZ. COOKED CHIROZO-47.1F.3LBS. PICO DE GALLO-46.9F.2LBS. SLICED AVACADO-48.1F. THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER....

minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF TACO PREP COOLER AT 46.8�F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 41.0�F OR BELOW.AIR TEMPERATURE IS NOW 38.9F(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR AND FRAME OF OUTDOOR PATIO AND LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM DOOR.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE ON PREP TABLES.

minor Sanitation

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

MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.

minor Employee Hygiene

GLOVES USED PROPERLY

OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLERS.

minor Sanitation

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

4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.13 Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR & DRAINS UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN DRY FOOD & PAPER STORAGE AREA,BAR.

2025-05-29 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 9
minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR AND FRAME OF OUTDOOR PATIO AND LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM DOOR .

minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-305.11 : MUST ELEVATE FOOD AND PAPER GOODS FROM FLOOR IN OUTSIDE WALK IN COOLER DRY FOOD & PAPER STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

: 3-304.12 : OBSERVED CUPS AND BOWLS STORED INSIDE OF BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.

minor Sanitation

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

4-101.19 : MUST ELIMINATE CARDBOARD AND FOIL FROM SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

minor Sanitation

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

4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.17 : MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM CEILING JOIST ABOVE BAR & CEILING VENT IN DISH WASHING AREA.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.13 Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR & DRAINS UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN DRY FOOD & PAPER STORAGE AREA,BAR.

2025-05-20 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 11
minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 20 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES IN DISH WASHING AREA,BAR AREA ON WALLS, SPEAKER,CEILINGS AND DINING AREA OUTSIDE OF MEN'S TOILET ROOM RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 5/20/25.(PRIORITY...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR AND FRAME OF OUTDOOR PATIO AND LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM DOOR .

minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST ELEVATE FOOD AND PAPER GOODS FROM FLOOR IN OUTSIDE WALK IN COOLER DRY FOOD & PAPER STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED CUPS AND BOWLS STORED INSIDE OF BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.

minor Sanitation

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

MUST ELIMINATE CARDBOARD AND FOIL FROM SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

minor Sanitation

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER,MISSING DOOR LOCK ON LAST STALL IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM CEILING JOIST ABOVE BAR & CEILING VENT IN DISH WASHING AREA,

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REMOVE BARBWIRE FROM AROUND FLOOR DRAINS IN DISH WASHING,PREP & BAR AREAS FOR CLEANING TO OCCUR.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN DRY FOOD & PAPER STORAGE AREA,BAR.

2024-05-03 Pass License

No violations found.

100
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100
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57
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54
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Duks Red Hots

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.