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BIG RED STAR

1531 N DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BIG RED STAR has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 9, 2010. The most recent inspection, on April 16, 2013, found no infractions.

2 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 26, 2012. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 13, 2012. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 16, 2010. For example: INSIDE CONTAINERS OR RECEPTACLES: ADEQUATE NUMBER, PROPERLY COVERED AND INSECT/RODENT PROOF

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 26, 2012. For example: FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 18 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on November 13, 2012. For example: CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST PROPERLY STORE,INVERT ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS,DISHWARE IN KITCHEN AREAS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN,MAINTAIN LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AREAS,REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN,MAINTAIN FILTERS OVER COOKING EQUIPMENTS,REPAIR WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE BENEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • EMPLOYEES WORKING AROUND OPEN FOODS MUST PROVIDE,MAINTAIN HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN SANITIZING SOLUTION.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPLACE BROKEN GASKET AT THE 3 DOOR FOOD PREP COOLER AT FRONT COOKING LINE.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED COOKED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD PORK IN THE PROCESS OF COOLING INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPS OF 59.7F-60.0F(NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOGS PROVIDED ALSO 2 CONTAINERS OF COOKED PORK HELD INSIDE THE 3 DOOR FOOD PREP COOLER AT COOKING LINE IMPROPER TEMPS OF 46.9F-49.0F,CHEESE 48.9F. NO TIME TEMPERATURE LOGS PROVIDED. ALL SAID PRODUCT DUMPED AND DENATURED, AT A COST OF $1,000 AND APPROX. 150 TOTAL POUNDS PER MANAGER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MONITOR,MAINTAIN ALL COLD FOODS 40F OR BELOW,ALL HOT FOODS 140F OR ABOVE AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A).
    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • OBSERVED PREMISES STORING CAMBRO WHEELED CONTAINERS FILLED WITH ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN AN OUTSIDE REAR UNLOCKED SHED STORAGE NOT PROTECTED AGAINST PUBLIC CONTAMINATION.ALSO SAID CAMBRO CONTAINERS ARE DRAINING WATER ONTO GROUND THIS IS A POTENTIAL PEST FEED.PLEASE NOTE:THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO SAID AREA IS NOT USED FOR THE SAID BUSINESS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE SAID PRACTICE AT ONCE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#608272 DATED 9/15/11 SEE REPORT.MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • CLEAN MULTI USE KITCHEN METAL BOWLS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED,INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPLACE BROKEN GASKET AT THE 3 DOOR FOOD PREP COOLER AT FRONT COOKING LINE AND PROVIDE ICE BIN COVERS FOR ICE BINS BEHIND BAR AREA.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULBS IN THE KITCHEN AREAS,INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • DETAIL CLEAN HOOD/FILTERS OVER THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS.
  5. Short Form Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VIOLATION STILL PENDING
  6. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. MUST CLEAN VENTS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN AND REPAIR WALL IN FRONT KITCHEN AREA, SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST CLEAN LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE PREP AREA IN KITCHEN
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE INTERIOR THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS
  7. Short Form Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VIOLATION STILL PENDING
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • VIOLATION STILL PENDING
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • VIOLATION STILL PENDING
  8. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN CEILING VENTS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST REPAIR SLOW RUNNING HOT WATER, AND ADJUST TANK LESS WATER TANK TO HAVE HOT WATER RUNNING CONSISTENTLY, THROUGH-OUT THE DAY
  9. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 8. SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
      • Equipment and utensils should get proper exposure to the sanitizing solution during the rinse cycle. Bactericidal treatment shall consist of exposure of all dish and utensil surfaces to a rinse of clean water at a temperature of not less than 180F.OBSERVED DISHWASHER EMPLOYEE WASHING MULTI-USE KITCHEN EQUIPMENT FAILING TO PROPERLY SANITIZE FURTHERMORE 3 COMP SINK NOT SET-UP AS REQUIRED (0)PPM DURING THIS INSPECTION.
    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Serious violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority.PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED CONTINUED OBSERVANCE OF LIVE FLIES IN VARIOUS AREAS THAT IS APPROXIMATTELY 25 FLIES-MUST COMPLETELY ELIMINATE SAID PEST PROBLEM.
    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • All food should be properly protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display, service, and transportation.FOUND FOODS STORED UNPROTECTED IN KITCHEN PREP AREA,FLIES NOTICED ON FOODS ALSO FOUND 2 EXTERIOR BUS PAN STATIONS ALONG FRONT OUTDOOR PATIO AND FLIES HOVERING AROUND SAID AREA.MUST REMOVE SAID EQUIPMENTS.
    • 20. INSIDE CONTAINERS OR RECEPTACLES: ADEQUATE NUMBER, PROPERLY COVERED AND INSECT/RODENT PROOF
      • All garbage and rubbish containing food wastes shall, prior to disposal, be stored in metal containers with tight fitting lids and shall be kept covered except when opened for the disposal or removal of garbage.FOUND INSIDE GARBAGE CONTAINERS THOROUGHOUT THE PREMISES NOT COVERED,NOT INSECT-PROOFED WITH OVERFLOW OF GARBAGE OBSERVED FLIES HOVERING OVER SAID AREAS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN KITCHEN,BAR REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health..FOUND A ELECTRIC FLAT TOP GRILL IN KITCHEN IN USE AT THIS TIME NO VENTILATION-REFFERAL ATTACHED.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair.FOUND 2 FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS.
  11. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.FOUND APPROXIMATELY 10 LIVE FLIES IN VARIOUS AREAS OF KITCHEN,BAR AREA ALSO FOUND 2 FRONT GARAGED TYPE DOORS WIDE OPEN.
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance.FOUND OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA NOT MAINTAINED I.E. OVERFLOWING GARBAGE/LITTER ON GROUND.
    • 28. * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
      • One copy of the Food Inspection Report Summary must be displayed and visible to all customers.FOUND NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW AS REQUIRED.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.THE FOLLOWING REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING MANUAL CAN OPENER,FAN COVERS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER,ICE MACHINE,BAR GUNS,HOUSINGS ATTACHED.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN KITCHEN,BAR REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.WALLS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.FOUND A ELECTRIC FLAT TOP GRILL IN KITCHEN IN USE AT THIS TIME NO VENTILATION-REFFERAL ATTACHED.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.FOUND NO THERMMOMETER INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair.FOUND 2 FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS.

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