Big Star To-Go failed a health inspection

Big Star To-Go

Restaurant

1537 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Wicker Park

Jul 20, 2026 — Canvass inspection

Fail

A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

Unlabeled bulk containers and missing temperature test strips on dishwashing equipment.

Key Findings

Bulk containers in the rear were not labeled with their contents (salt, sugar, flour, etc.), making it impossible to identify items.
High-temperature dishwashing machine lacked required surface temperature test strips or thermometers to verify proper sanitization.
Outside garbage dumpsters had overflowing lids that wouldn't close properly, creating potential rodent entry points.
Two food handling employees lacked required food handler certificates.

Key findings are derived directly from the inspector's notes from the Chicago Department of Public Health. See the full violation notes below.

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Violation code #37 — 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).

Violation code #48 — 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.

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