CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at BIG BOWL during a routine inspection conducted on 04/07/2023.
The facility operates from 11601 W TOUHY AVE in Edison Park, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 5 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.
The first violation involved temperature control. Inspectors documented: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures - Comments: Observed (tcs Foods) at Improper Cold Holding Temperature Inside of the 4 Door Prep Line Cooler.observed Container of Beef at 51.1 F and Pasta Noodles at 46.1 F-47.1 F.all (tcs Foods) Must Be Held at Proper Holding Temperature of 41.0 F or Colder at All Times.management Voluntarily Discarded and Denatured Approximately 25#'s of Food Worth $330.00.priority Violation 7-38-005,citation Issued.. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks.
The second violation related to food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Proper Cooling Methods Used. Non-compliance with safety standards may create conditions that compromise food safety.
The third violation involved thermal management. Inspectors documented: Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control - Comments: Observed the 4 Door Prep Line Cooler with an Air Temperature of 50.0 F.the Cooler Was Used to Store (tcs Foods) Such As Cut Vegetables and Beef. Instructed Manager Cold Holding Unit Must Maintain Cold Holding Temperature of 41.0f or Colder at All Times.the Mentioned Cooler Is Tagged "held for Inspection" at This Time. Instructed Not to Use Until Repaired. See Comments Below.priority Violation 7-38-005,citation Issued.. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks.
The fourth violation involved food storage practices. Inspectors documented: Food Properly Labeled. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals.
The fifth violation involved food storage. Inspectors documented: Original Container - Comments: Observed Bulk Conta. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/07/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (RICE, CHICKEN, BEEF ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED, AND ALSO THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY NEXT INSPECTION (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY AT THE DISH WASHING/PREP AREA WITH DIRT, GREASE AND DEBRIS.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE, SPILLS, AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS, UNDER AND AROUND COOKING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED THR PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS, ALONG WALLS, AND IN ALL CORNERS, UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.; PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING FOOD. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING FOOD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE ON THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. ---ALSO OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THROUGHOUT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES ONSITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFCATE OBTAINS ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE AND KEEPS CERTIFICATE ONSITE AT ALL TIMES.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS.OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH BOXES OF MEL-FRY LIQUID FRYING OIL STACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AND 2 LARGE DRY BULK FOOD CONTAINERS STORED IN FRONT OF MENTIONED HANDWASHING SINK.INSTRUCTED MANAGER,HANDSINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C),CITATION ISSUED.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND PAPER TOWELS OR HAND DRYING DEVICE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN THE THE REAR FOOD PREPARATION (TOCCO SIDE AREA).INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HAND PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).VIOLATION CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE CITATION.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE LOCATED AT BAR AREA AT IMPROPER FINAL SANITIZING RINSE AT "0" PPM CHLORINE CONCENTRATION.THE (DISHMACHINE IS NOT IN USE AT THIS TIME).INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.A MECHANICAL DISHWASHING MACHINE SHOULD PROVIDE A FINAL SANITIZING RINSE OF EITHER 50 ? 100 PPM CHLORINE (FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZING MACHINE) OR 180F FINAL RINSE (FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING MACHINE).DISHMACHINE TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED (SEE COMMENTS BELOW). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025,NO CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED (TCS FOODS) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE HELD ON TOP OF PREP LINE COOLER AND INSIDE BASKET AT DEEP FRYER AREA.OBSERVED CONTAINER OF RAW BEEF AT 50.9 F,COOKED GREEN BEANS AT 79.1F AND COOKED CHICKEN AT 88.0 F.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL (TCS FOODS) MUST BE HELD AT PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0 F OR COLDER OR HELD AT PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 135 F OR HOTTER AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROXIMATELY 20#'S OF FOOD WORTH $150.00.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.; WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS HANGING ON HAND SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATIONS OF DUSTS ON CEILING VENTILATION COVER DIRECTLY ABOVE THE BAR GLASSWARE STORAGE AREA AND MAINTAIN.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2574178 DATED:04/13/2023 #37--OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC.). #55-- OBSERVED FLOOR TILES IN NEED OF RE-GROUTING UNDER AND AROUND DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND IN FRONT OF THE UTILITY MOP SINK IN SAME AREA ALSO,DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS WITH DEBRIS AND SPILLS UNDER AND AROUND THE DISHMACHINE AT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY WITH NOTED VIOLATIONS AND MAINTAIN BY 12/11/2023. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE 4 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 44.6 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.THE MENTIONED COOLER REMAINS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.(SEE COMMENTS BELOW).; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12--OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC.).; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-201.11-- OBSERVED FLOOR TILES IN NEED OF RE-GROUTING UNDER AND AROUND DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND IN FRONT OF THE UTILITY MOP SINK IN SAME AREA ALSO,DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS WITH DEBRIS AND SPILLS UNDER AND AROUND THE DISHMACHINE AT BAR AREA.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED (TCS FOODS) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE 4 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER.OBSERVED CONTAINER OF BEEF AT 51.1 F AND PASTA NOODLES AT 46.1 F-47.1 F.ALL (TCS FOODS) MUST BE HELD AT PROPER HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0 F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROXIMATELY 25#'S OF FOOD WORTH $330.00.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE 4 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50.0 F.THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE (TCS FOODS) SUCH AS CUT VEGETABLES AND BEEF. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.THE MENTIONED COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED. SEE COMMENTS BELOW.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC.).; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOOR TILES IN NEED OF RE-GROUTING UNDER AND AROUND DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND IN FRONT OF THE UTILITY MOP SINK IN SAME AREA ALSO,DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS WITH DEBRIS AND SPILLS UNDER AND AROUND THE DISHMACHINE AT BAR AREA.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2560326 DATED: 07/05/2022 #57--OBSERVED SOME EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE A CURRENT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. #58--OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT NOTED VIOLATIONS AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.; SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC - Comments: PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM (07/05/2022) WAS NOT DISPLAYED FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW.TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY WAS DISPLAYED AND MUST BE VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010 (B), CITATION ISSUED..
The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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