CHICAGO, IL - An inspection conducted at Big Star on 08/14/2025 identified food safety violations.
The establishment operates from 1531 N Damen Avenue in Wicker Park, a busy area of Chicago known for its dining scene.
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According to inspection records: "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. 9. No bare hand contact with rte food..." This type of violation requires correction to maintain food safety standards.
The examination revealed violations related to hand washing, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Restaurant industry standards emphasize hand washing as fundamental to food safety protocols Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that Federal guidelines require food service workers to wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds using soap and warm water. The FDA Hand Washing Standards provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving sanitation, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Food safety professionals regularly stress the essential nature of adequate sanitation procedures. As outlined in Food Safety Modernization Act, Federal regulators use FDA sanitation guidelines as the benchmark for evaluating food service establishment compliance. These federal guidelines guarantee that restaurants adhere to strict health requirements.
The examination revealed violations related to pest control, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Pest control violations represent some of the most significant infractions in food service inspections Data compiled by food safety institutions reveals that Federal food safety regulations require all food service establishments to maintain comprehensive pest exclusion programs. Per FDA Food Code Standards, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
The inspection found infractions involving temperature control, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Food safety professionals regularly stress the essential nature of adequate temperature control procedures. As outlined in FDA Temperature Safety Guidelines, The FDA requires continuous temperature monitoring for all potentially hazardous foods in commercial kitchens. These federal guidelines guarantee that restaurants adhere to strict health requirements.
These compliance issues require correction to maintain proper standards for the restaurant and public health. Food safety professionals indicate that addressing non-compliance helps ensure customer safety standards.
Regulatory authorities have scheduled an extensive follow-up review to confirm that every infraction has been adequately corrected. Management are required to show complete correction before these violations will be deemed closed.
The broader restaurant industry can learn valuable lessons from such cases, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance to food safety standards. Consumer awareness remains a crucial component in maintaining community food safety.
📋 Complete Inspection Data
| Inspection ID | 2622291 |
| DBA Name | Big Star |
| AKA Name | Big Star |
| License # | 2827504 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 1531 N DAMEN AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60622 |
| Inspection Date | 08/14/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Suspected Food Poisoning |
| Results | Pass w/ Conditions |
| Violations | 8. 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) | 9. 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) | 10. 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) | 10. 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 ) | 10. 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 ) | 16. 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. | 22. 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) | 33. 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) | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE. | 38. INSECTS |
| & 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. | 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE ON PREP TABLES. | 44. UTENSILS |
| EQUIPMENT & LINENS | PROPERLY STORED |
| & HANDLED - Comments | MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES. | 46. GLOVES USED PROPERLY - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLERS. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | 4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | 6-501.13 Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR & DRAINS UNDER |
| Latitude | 41.9091920590843 |
| Longitude | -87.67728290727564 |
| Location | (41.9091920590843 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this inspection conducted?
This inspection was conducted on August 14, 2025.
Who conducted this inspection?
Chicago Department of Public Health
What violations were found during this inspection?
The following violations were found: hand-washing, sanitation, pest-control, temperature-control.
Why are these violations concerning?
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.