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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Big Star To-Go

1537 N Damen Ave

Last inspected Aug 4, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 4, 2026

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-501.14---INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE CEILING VENTILATION COVERS ABOVE THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 4, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 20, 2026

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

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).

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS OR TEST STRIPS/STICKERS WERE PROVIDED TO MEASURE THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS INSIDE OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. (HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE WITH GAUGE READING FINAL RINSE AT 180F). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SURFACE TEMPERATURE TEST STRIPS OR IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING SURFACE THERMOMETER FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS WITH OVERFLOWING TRASH LIDS PREVENTING PROPER LID CLOSURE.INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE SERVICE PICK-UP OR LARGER GARBAGE DUMPSTER MUST BE ABLE TO CLOSE AND REMAIN TIGH FITTING IN ORDER TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B), CITATION ISSUED.MUST KEEP OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. (MANAGEMENT CORRECTED ON SITE).

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE CEILING VENTILATION COVERS ABOVE THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 2 (TWO) FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

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, Jul 20, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

May 20, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN WALL NEAR GRILL.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 20, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 3, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 3, 2024 · Original Source

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