Big Al's Restaurant
Last inspected: Aug 7, 2025
100
Score
The health department has logged 16 inspections at Big Al's Restaurant, the earliest from 2013. The latest inspection on file is from Aug 7, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
“Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Big Al's Restaurant on the better side of that line. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 7, 2025
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jun 7, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD-UP ON FILTERS AND HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector 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.
58
90
Jun 23, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING/NOT WORKING AT LEFT SIDE AND MIDDLE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.
55
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
39
86
Dec 1, 2022
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGN IN RESTROOM, MAINTAIN.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: FOUND TORN GASKET AT BOTTOM OF WALK IN FREEZER DOOR. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: FOUND RUSTY SHELVING INSIDE REACH IN COOLER NEXT TO FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN FOR A SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX RESTROOM, MAINTAIN.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
78
Jun 29, 2021
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 18, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET UNABLE TO EXTEND TO EACH COMPARTMENT. INSTD TO PROVIDE FAUCET ABLE TO EXTEND TO EACH COMPARTMENT. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-025 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
48
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES
39
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: LIGHT OUT IN REAR ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
56
82
Jun 17, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS BEHIND THE FURNACE, ICE MACHINE, 3-COMP SINK AND SHELVING WITH AN ACCUMULATION OF DUST AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE THE FLATTOP GRILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
56
74
Mar 22, 2018
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO EXPOSED HANDSINK IN REAR WHERE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED. INSTD TO INSTALL EXPOSED HANDSINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA.
38
95
Mar 15, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE FOR TESTING CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZER AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. VIOLATION 7-38-030 SERIOUS.
22
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO EXPOSED HANDSINK IN REAR WHERE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED. INSTD TO INSTALL EXPOSED HANDSINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA. MISSING STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERS AND MAINTAIN.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETERS ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE.
40
86
Feb 8, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUT BREAD STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS, OR BAGGIES/ZIP LOC ETC. ALSO REMOVE THE RUST FROM WALK-IN COOLER STORAGE RACKS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER STORAGE SHELVES NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR WALL NOT CLEAN KETCHUP ON WALL, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.ALSO CLEAN CEILING IN THE REAR WALK-IN COOLER, AND REAR CEILING VENT DUSTY.
35
86
May 26, 2016
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE WALL BEHIND THE GRILL.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A LIGHT SHIELD WHERE MISSING NEXT TO THE VENTILATION HOOD.
36
86
May 12, 2016
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN AND CHEESE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER. OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 49.8F, BEEF AT 43.3F, CHEESE AT 48.2F, POLISH DOGS AT 46.1F, CUT TOMATOES AT 47.1F, PORK AT 45.9F, PIZZA PUFFS AT 50.5F, AND CHORIZO AT 49.8F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 10# OF FOOD WROTH APPROXIMATELY $100. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD AND DEAD INSECTS FROM THE LIGHT SHIELDS.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE WALL BEHIND THE GRILL. SCRAPE AND REPAINT THE CHIPPED PAINT ON THE DUCTWORK ABOVE THE DRY STORAGE SHELF.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL LIGHT SHIELDS AND END CAPS FOR THE LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE STEAM TABLE.
36
78
Sep 17, 2015
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 10, 2015
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER ON PREMISES WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED RE-FRIED BEANS 150.4*F, BEEF 160.2*F, ICECREAM 39.2*F, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012a.
21
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED #38 OBSERVED TOP LOADER ICE CREAM MACHINE WITHOUT RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER TO TOP OF THE MACHINE, REPORT 1474161 DATED 6/27/2014 CORRECT BY DATE 9/27/2014. MUST PROVIDE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
29
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT UPRIGHT FREEZER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LIGHT SHIELDS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND DIPPED ICE CREAM IN REAR COOLER, NO DIPPER WELL, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 EMPLOYEES WORKING ONLY ONE FOOD HANDLER CERT. INSTRUCTED THE OTHER 2 EMPLOYEES TO PROVIDE. COPY OF IDPH'S FOOD HANDLER INFO. GIVEN AT THIS TIME.
45
74
Jun 27, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR NOT CLEAN UNDER THE FRONT FRYERS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOP LOADER ICE CREAM MACHINE WITH OUT RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER OVER THE TOP OF THE MACHINE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.ALSO PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR REAR 3 COMP SINK.
38
90
Dec 18, 2013
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD STAINED, WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. REPLACE/REPAIR SAME.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: WALK-IN COOLER FLOOR WITH RAW CONCRETE. INSTD TO SEAL SAME SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
34
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big Al's Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big Al's Restaurant on file is from Aug 7, 2025. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big Al's Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Big Al's Restaurant.
Has Big Al's Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big Al's Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Big Al's Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Big Al's Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big Al's Restaurant is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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