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HIGH RISK

Big Star

1531 N DAMEN AVE, Chicago, IL 60622

This restaurant has significant health inspection issues.

Multiple critical violations were found during recent inspections. Exercise caution.

SafeScore

54/100

Inspections

5

Last Inspected

Aug 2025

Critical

0

Analysis

Violation Breakdown

36 total

contamination
1131%
other
617%
facility
617%
hygiene
514%
pest
411%
temperature
38%

Case History

Inspection Timeline

MinorHygiene

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

Code 9

MinorHygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 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)

Code 10

MinorHygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 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 )

Code 10

MinorHygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 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 )

Code 10

MinorTemperature

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: 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.

Code 16

MinorTemperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: 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)

Code 22

MinorTemperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: 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)

Code 33

MinorOther

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Code 37

MinorPest

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-202.15: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR AND FRAME OF OUTDOOR PATIO AND LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM DOOR.

Code 38

MinorOther

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.

Code 44

MinorHygiene

GLOVES USED PROPERLY - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLERS.

Code 46

MinorFacility

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 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.

Code 55

MinorContamination

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: 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)

Code 8

MinorContamination

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER.

Code 47

MinorContamination

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.

Code 49

MinorChemical

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE ON PREP TABLES.

Code 41

Data may be outdated

The last inspection on record is from August 2025240 days ago. Newer data may not yet be available from this jurisdiction.

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Data sourced from public health inspection records. SafeScore is computed from inspection results, violation severity, trends, and consistency. All data is public record. Last updated based on jurisdiction reporting schedules.