CHICAGO · 9,734 RESTAURANTS · LIVE DATA

As of 2025-08-14, Big Star received a Pass w/ Conditions on its most recent City of Chicago health inspection.

Big Star

CONDITIONAL

1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Wicker Park · Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Last inspected 2025-08-14

Violations at most recent inspection

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

core violation

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 F

core violation

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.(PRIOR

priority violation

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 )

priority violation

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 )

priority violation

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 TEM

core violation

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

core violation

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)

core violation

3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

core violation

6-202.15: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR AND FRAME OF OUTDOOR PATIO AND LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM DOOR.

core violation

MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE ON PREP TABLES.

core violation

MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.

core violation

OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLERS.

core violation

4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON SALAD PREP COOLER.

core violation

4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FRYER CABINETS & WHEEL BASES ,GRILL TABLE,GARBAGE CANS IN BAR AREA.

core violation

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.

core violation

Inspection history — tap to expand

2025-08-14CONDITIONAL

2025-05-29PASS

2025-05-20FAIL

2024-05-03PASS

Big Star health inspection FAQ

Has Big Star passed its most recent Chicago health inspection?

Big Star received a Pass w/ Conditions on its most recent City of Chicago health inspection, conducted on 2025-08-14. This reflects the restaurant's current status as tracked by the Chicago Department of Public Health -- GutCheck rebuilds this page from the city's live data feed, so it updates automatically as new inspections are recorded.

What violations did Big Star have at its last health inspection?

Inspectors recorded 16 violations at Big Star's most recent inspection on 2025-08-14, including 3 classified as Priority or Priority Foundation. Full violation text is listed on this page below.

When was Big Star last inspected by the City of Chicago?

Big Star was last inspected on 2025-08-14. GutCheck's data is sourced directly from the City of Chicago's public Food Inspections feed and rebuilt on every deploy, so this date reflects the most recent inspection on file at the time you're viewing this page.