STAR LOUNGE COFFEE BAR.

Chicago Health Dept

2521 W CHICAGO AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Dec 2025).

10 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Dec 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

DEC 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 17

2025

PASS 8 violations

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR HOT HOLDING UNIT.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK NEXT TO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST REMOVE RAOSTED COFFEE BEANS FROM HALLWAY LEADING TO 2ND FL. TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION AND STORE PROPERLY.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAP ON MILK COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM COOLERS AND STORAGE CABINETS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN PREP/DISH WASHING AREAS.

AUG 30

2022

PASS 1 violation

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER HANDLING MILK, ICE AND COFFEE WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.

AUG 23

2021

PASS 1 violation

Serious Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND SERVICE SINK FILLED WITH UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST ACTIVITY.

AUG 16

2021

FAIL 9 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR EMPLOYEES ON DUTY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED PITCHER OF MILK AND WATER STORED IN HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO USE HANDWASHING SINK FOR HANDWASHING PURPOSES ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

FOUND NO HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN DISHWASHING AREA TO ALLOW CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SINK IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

FOUND A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE ON PANEL OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN SAID ICE MACHINE.

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

FOUND MILK AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF 53F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD 1/2 GALLON MILK AT $3.50. ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

FOUND NO COVERED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE LOCATED IN UNISEX WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED GARBAGE RECEPTACLES TO ALL UNISEX WASHROOMS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND UNFINISHED BASEMENT(FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS). NOTED: SOY MILK, SINGLE SERVICE CUPS, COFFEE FILTERS, AND A VARIETY OF BOTTLED BEVERAGES STORED IN SAID BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE FLOORS WALLS AND CEILINGS.

Serious Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND SERVICE SINK FILLED WITH UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST ACTIVIVTY.

Critical Pest Activity

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

FOUND THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED BY CORRECT DAY FROM INSPECTION REPORT # 2305079 ON OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090.

AUG 22

2019

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACK FLOE PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.

show all 10 inspections →

AUG 14

2019

FAIL 5 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT COFFEE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SOAP AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER PROVIDED SOAP DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED. COS

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACK FLOE PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Pest Activity

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING PREVENTING LID FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. THIS IS HARBORAGE AND A FOOD SOURCE FOR RODENTS AND OTHER PEST. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN GARBAGE AREA ADEQUATE MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.

DEC 21

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED RIPPED GASKETS AROUND THE 1-DOOR REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR IN THE COFFEE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE GASKET TO PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GASKETS AROUND THE 2-DOOR REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR AT THE MAIN PREP AREA TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 6

2016

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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

NO BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE PROVIDED AT WATER LINE OF THE ESPRESSO MACHINE AT FRONT COUNTER FIRST FLOOR,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE OR TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE INSTALLED BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE. BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE TWO DOOR COOLER BEHIND FRONT COUNTER(SOUTH END),INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

AUG 31

2016

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE NOT DISPENSING SANITZER,0ppm. MANAGER START THE CYCLE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NEGATIVE RESULT. TAGGED UNIT "HELD FOR INSPECTION" INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE.LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 100ppm. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

FOUND EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE BEHIND THE COFFEE FRONT COUNTER,INSIDE THE SINK FOOD STRAINER, ALSO NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT SAID SINK. UPON MY REQUEST ITEM REMOVED AND PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED. SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS MUST BE PROVIDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK AT ALL TIMES FOR HAND WASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030

Minor Sanitation

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

NO BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE PROVIDED AT WATER LINE OF THE ESPRESSO MACHINE AT FRONT COUNTER FIRST FLOOR,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE OR KNOWN THE LOCATION OF THE INSTALLED BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE. BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE TWO DOOR COOLER BEHIND FRONT COUNTER(SOUTH END),INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.CEMENT BLOCKS UNDER THE DISH MACHINE WITH GRIMES, UNABLE TO CLEAN. SURFACE ARE POROUS.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH.CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED BETWEEN THE DUMP SINK AND SHELF WITH CLEAN CUPS ETC. SURAFCE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE

Minor Sanitation

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

DIRTY PLYWOOD ON FLOOR AT REAR STORAGE AREA BY THE LAUNDRY ROOM ,SECOND FLOOR.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FLOOR TILES,ALSO REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES AT LAUNDRY ROOM.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.DEBRIS ON FLOOR INSIDE THE FURNACE ROOM,NEED TO SWEEP(SECOND FLOOR) .EXCESS ITEMS ON FLOOR INSIDE THE OFFICE AT SECOND FLOOR,INSTRUCTED TO RE-ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE ITEMS 6"OFF THE FLOOR ITEMS NEEDED.EXCESS DEBRIS ON FLOOR ALONG THE COUNTER AND BETWEEN THE PIPES,NEED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

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

GRIME ON WALL ABOVE THE LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE(SECOND FLOOR),INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

REPLACE BROKEN THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE COOLER BEHIND COFFEE COUNTER

JUL 2

2014

PASS 6 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GASKETS ON ALL COOLERS IN FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

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

FLOOR NOT LEVEL AND BUCKLING IN SECOND FLOOR DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR FLOOR.

Minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN WALLS UNDER FRONT COUNTER NEAR ICE MACHINE(SPILLS). SEAL WALLS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Minor Facility Condition

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

PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTERPROOF BULBS IN FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.

Minor Pest Activity

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT AND SECOND FLOOR STORAGE CLOSET TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

Minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

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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