GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Big Al's Restaurant

5333 S Kedzie Ave

Last inspected Aug 7, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass w/ Conditions

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Big Al's Restaurant has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Aug 7, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS AND ALL GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO POST CLEARLY VISIBLE SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEFT COMPARTMENT OF MILK SHAKE COLD HOLDING UNIT AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 65.3F, AT TIME OF INSPECTION MILK SHAKE COLD HOLDING UNIT NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON MILK SHAKE COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENING AT LOWER RIGHT SIDE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CARDBAORD SHELF LINER ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES IN PREP AREA UNDERNEATH COOKLINE EQUIPMENT.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD SHELF LINERS, INSTRUCTED NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF A CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED PICKLE BUCKET STORED ON FLOOR OF WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BROWN STAINS ON CEILING IN ALL GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE STAINS AND SMOOTHLY REPAINT CEILING IN ALL GENDER WASHROOM FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 7, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Aug 7, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 7, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 7, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE BUILD-UP ON FILTERS AND HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 7, 2024 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby