Big Star To-Go
1537 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Restaurant ZIP 60622 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Aug 4, 2026
Big Star To-Go was last inspected on August 4, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 1 violation.
Latest inspection
August 4, 2026 · Canvass Re-Inspection
Result: Pass
1 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspection history
17 inspections on record
-
Fail
Canvass · Fail
4 general1 paperwork Show violations
-
GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: 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).
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 48)
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: 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).
Official wording (code 54)
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean the ceiling ventilation covers above the dishwashing 3-compartment sink area to remove accumulation of dusts and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace hole in wall near grill.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must scrape chipping paint on wall in prep area to be smooth and easily cleanable.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up from filters at hood of cooking equipment.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
-
GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Observed 2 containers of bulk ingredients not labeled. Instructed to label all containers with common names.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed build-up of grime and food debris on the exterior of the high-temperature dish machine located in the dish area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 critical2 general Show violations
-
CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Observed tortilla chip scooper being stored on side of the wall with the food contact surface exposed. Instructed on how to properly store the chip scooper between uses.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
-
GeneralHygiene & sanitation
Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed female food handler prepping and handling food without hair restraint in the food prep to-go area. Instructed person in charge that all food handlers must wear a hair restraint. Manager provide the female food handler with a hat during the time of the inspection.
Official wording (code 40)
Personal cleanliness
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed dirt and dust build up on the ceiling above the to-go boxes and throughout the to-go food prep area. Instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
-
GeneralFood handling
Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed wiping cloths stored on top of prep table in food preparation area. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.
Official wording (code 41)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed dirt and debris on floor underneath cooking equipment. Must clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed dirt and dust build up on light shield covers above prep coolers. Must clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed grease build up on ventilation vents above cooking equipment. Must clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
-
-
Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical1 general Show violations
-
CriticalFood temperature
Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.
Inspector’s note: Observed tcs foods in walk in cooler chopped veggies, variety salsas, pastor,carne etc with imporper date marking labels. Instructed to provide lables indicating discard or use by date on all refrigerated foods prepared on site and held for more than 24 hours.priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 23)
Proper date marking and disposition
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed dirty black crates used for holding produce in walk in cooler. Instructed to remove and use food grade only containers.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Noted the floors inside the walk in freezer are dirty. Must detail clean.
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector’s note: Observed bowls used to dispense various food items. Instructed to a utensil with a handled scoop and to store the scoop either in a separate container in between use or in the food with the handle facing up out of the food.
-
-
Conditional
Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical4 general Show violations
-
CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector’s note: Found potentially hazardous food at improper temperature: cooked diced carrots at temp of 60.8f.partially cooked strips of beef at temp of 45.7f- 46.4f and 49 .carrots juice at temp of 68f. All products mentioned were stored inside the walk-in cooler .cold food must maintain temp of 40f and below. Pounds 92,value 345 critical violation:7-38-005(a)
-
CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector’s note: Poor hygienic practices. Observed employee handling dirty dishes(scraping and put them thru the high temp machine), then without washing hands handling /storing clean dishes. No hand washing between the task. Once dirty dishes are handled,must wash hands prior to handle clean dishes.information given on hand washing. Manager corrected the problem. Critical violation:7-38-010(a)
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Observed various kind of disposable multi use utensils stored under the waste water pipe at storage located at 1520 n damen. Instructed to relocate items or encase said pipes.
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Grease inside the deep fryer by the flat grill instructed to clean and maintain
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Storage floor at south west corner (1520 n damen) of disposable storage not even also debris at said area, instructed to repair(surface must be smooth,cleanable and non absorbent surface), cleanand maintain floor.
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Repair walls at disposable storage(1520 n damen)north side.
-
-
Closed
Canvass · Out of Business
The inspector found this business closed.
No violations
-
Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
-
Fail
Canvass · Fail
1 critical3 general Show violations
-
CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector’s note: Poor hygienic practices. Observed employee handling dirty dishes(scraping and put them thru the high temp machine), then without washing hands handling /storing clean dishes. No hand washing between the task. Once dirty dishes are handled,must wash hands prior to handle clean dishes.information given on hand washing. Manager corrected the problem. Critical violation:7-38-010(a)
-
GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector’s note: Waste oil grease container with grease on top the lid and around the edge of the unit.also oil spillage on cement ground.instructed to clean and maintain said container and ground. Serious violation:7-38-020
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: All three light shield are broken at dish room area,instructed to replace.
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Dirty dust pans and brooms stored inside the mop sink,instructed to clean and maintain
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector’s note: Observed several prep coolers without visible thermometers. Must provide thermometers inside of all prep coolers.
-
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Air vents in need of cleaning to remove all dust build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector’s note: Ice scoop must be stored in a clean sanitized container. Correct and maintain at all times.
-
-
Pass
License · Pass
2 general Show violations
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: Provide adequate lighting and light shields in front prep area.
-
GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Only authorized personnel in the food-prep area
Inspector’s note: Provide barrier/clear separation between customer washrooms and kitchen entrance.
-
More in ZIP 60622
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 3 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.