AUG 14
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
16 violations6 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
BIG STAR.
YOUR CALL. 52/100
1531 N DAMEN AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO
Last inspected August 14, 2025 · passed with conditions
2 of 4 inspections passed, 1 failed, 1 passed with conditions. 9 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
4
2 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
36
includes 9 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since May 2024
INSPECTION HISTORY
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 CONTAMINATION. (PRIORITY 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
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 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
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)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
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 )
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 )
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 MACHINE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION.
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. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0°F OR BELOW.APPX.9LBS. $55.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
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)
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE ON PREP TABLES.
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
GLOVES USED PROPERLY
OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLERS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.
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.
MAY 292025PASSED9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 29
2025
PASSED
9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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 .
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.
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
: 3-304.12 : OBSERVED CUPS AND BOWLS STORED INSIDE OF BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.
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.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.17 : MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM CEILING JOIST ABOVE BAR & CEILING VENT IN DISH WASHING AREA.
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.
MAY 202025FAILED11 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 20
2025
FAILED
11 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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 .
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 FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
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.
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
OBSERVED CUPS AND BOWLS STORED INSIDE OF BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST ELIMINATE CARDBOARD AND FOIL FROM SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
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.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM CEILING JOIST ABOVE BAR & CEILING VENT IN DISH WASHING AREA,
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REMOVE BARBWIRE FROM AROUND FLOOR DRAINS IN DISH WASHING,PREP & BAR AREAS FOR CLEANING TO OCCUR.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN DRY FOOD & PAPER STORAGE AREA,BAR.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →