MAY 20
2025
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
BIG STAR TO-GO.
EAT. 95/100
1537 N DAMEN AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO
Last inspected May 20, 2025 · passed
11 of 14 inspections passed, with 4 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
14
11 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
31
includes 4 critical
RECORDS COVER
10 YEARS
since Sep 2014
INSPECTION HISTORY
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN WALL NEAR GRILL.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST SCRAPE CHIPPING PAINT ON WALL IN PREP AREA TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
JUL 212023PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUL 21
2023
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED 2 CONTAINERS OF BULK INGREDIENTS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAMES.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF GRIME AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN THE DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
JUN 172022PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JUN 17
2022
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
OBSERVED TORTILLA CHIP SCOOPER BEING STORED ON SIDE OF THE WALL WITH THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACE EXPOSED. INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO PROPERLY STORE THE CHIP SCOOPER BETWEEN USES.
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
OBSERVED FEMALE FOOD HANDLER PREPPING AND HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP TO-GO AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MANAGER PROVIDE THE FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WITH A HAT DURING THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP ON THE CEILING ABOVE THE TO-GO BOXES AND THROUGHOUT THE TO-GO FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
JUL 302019PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
JUL 30
2019
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLE IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP ON LIGHT SHIELD COVERS ABOVE PREP COOLERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
show all 14 inspections →
MAR 252019PASS W/ CONDITIONS2 violationsDETAILS
MAR 25
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violationsDETAILS
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
OBSERVED TCS FOODS IN WALK IN COOLER CHOPPED VEGGIES, VARIETY SALSAS, PASTOR,CARNE ETC WITH IMPORPER DATE MARKING LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABLES INDICATING DISCARD OR USE BY DATE ON ALL REFRIGERATED FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED DIRTY BLACK CRATES USED FOR HOLDING PRODUCE IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND USE FOOD GRADE ONLY CONTAINERS.
JAN 302018PASSED1 violationDETAILS
JAN 30
2018
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
NOTED THE FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK IN FREEZER ARE DIRTY. MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
MAY 122017PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MAY 12
2017
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
OBSERVED BOWLS USED TO DISPENSE VARIOUS FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO A UTENSIL WITH A HANDLED SCOOP AND TO STORE THE SCOOP EITHER IN A SEPARATE CONTAINER IN BETWEEN USE OR IN THE FOOD WITH THE HANDLE FACING UP OUT OF THE FOOD.
SEP 142016PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
SEP 14
2016
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: COOKED DICED CARROTS AT TEMP OF 60.8F.PARTIALLY COOKED STRIPS OF BEEF AT TEMP OF 45.7F- 46.4F AND 49 .CARROTS JUICE AT TEMP OF 68F. ALL PRODUCTS MENTIONED WERE STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER .COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 40F AND BELOW. POUNDS 92,VALUE 345 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE HANDLING DIRTY DISHES(SCRAPING AND PUT THEM THRU THE HIGH TEMP MACHINE), THEN WITHOUT WASHING HANDS HANDLING /STORING CLEAN DISHES. NO HAND WASHING BETWEEN THE TASK. ONCE DIRTY DISHES ARE HANDLED,MUST WASH HANDS PRIOR TO HANDLE CLEAN DISHES.INFORMATION GIVEN ON HAND WASHING. MANAGER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-010(A)
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
OBSERVED VARIOUS KIND OF DISPOSABLE MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED UNDER THE WASTE WATER PIPE AT STORAGE LOCATED AT 1520 N DAMEN. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE ITEMS OR ENCASE SAID PIPES.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
GREASE INSIDE THE DEEP FRYER BY THE FLAT GRILL INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
STORAGE FLOOR AT SOUTH WEST CORNER (1520 N DAMEN) OF DISPOSABLE STORAGE NOT EVEN ALSO DEBRIS AT SAID AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR(SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON ABSORBENT SURFACE), CLEANAND MAINTAIN FLOOR.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
REPAIR WALLS AT DISPOSABLE STORAGE(1520 N DAMEN)NORTH SIDE.
APR 222016FAILED4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 22
2016
FAILED
4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE HANDLING DIRTY DISHES(SCRAPING AND PUT THEM THRU THE HIGH TEMP MACHINE), THEN WITHOUT WASHING HANDS HANDLING /STORING CLEAN DISHES. NO HAND WASHING BETWEEN THE TASK. ONCE DIRTY DISHES ARE HANDLED,MUST WASH HANDS PRIOR TO HANDLE CLEAN DISHES.INFORMATION GIVEN ON HAND WASHING. MANAGER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-010(A)
OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
WASTE OIL GREASE CONTAINER WITH GREASE ON TOP THE LID AND AROUND THE EDGE OF THE UNIT.ALSO OIL SPILLAGE ON CEMENT GROUND.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID CONTAINER AND GROUND. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-020
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
ALL THREE LIGHT SHIELD ARE BROKEN AT DISH ROOM AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
DIRTY DUST PANS AND BROOMS STORED INSIDE THE MOP SINK,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
DEC 292015PASSED1 violationDETAILS
DEC 29
2015
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
OBSERVED SEVERAL PREP COOLERS WITHOUT VISIBLE THERMOMETERS. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL PREP COOLERS.
JAN 122015PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JAN 12
2015
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
AIR VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
SEP 42014PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
SEP 4
2014
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND LIGHT SHIELDS IN FRONT PREP AREA.
ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IN THE FOOD-PREP AREA
PROVIDE BARRIER/CLEAR SEPARATION BETWEEN CUSTOMER WASHROOMS AND KITCHEN ENTRANCE.
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 →