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Big Baby's receives Chicago food license at South Torrence Avenue address

Big Baby's receives Chicago food license at South Torrence Avenue address

Rule Changes Chicago, IL local

City records name the licensee Big Baby's Southern Soul Kitchen & Grill LLC; inspection passed with five violations

October 20th, 2026: Retail food license issued

Overview

Updated Oct 22

Chicago licensed Big Baby's at 9926-9928 S Torrence Ave to prepare food on site for takeout, with city retail food data listing the license issue date as Oct 16, 2026. The Oct 13 license inspection passed with five violations recorded, including a missing mop sink and a washroom door that did not close on its own.

City records name the licensee as Big Baby's Southern Soul Kitchen & Grill LLC, the same name as a restaurant listed nearby at 9938 S Torrence Ave. The record does not show whether the two are one operation, or whether the new address is serving customers yet. The name has meant a double cheeseburger with grilled onions on the South Side since 1967, sold by restaurants that share it and nothing else.

Why it matters

The license permits on-site food preparation without a dining area, extending the Big Baby name's presence on Chicago's South Side.

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Key Indicators

Pass
License inspection result
City inspection on Oct 13, 2026 passed; five violations recorded
5
Violations at license inspection
Mop sink, washroom door, washroom ventilation, food handler and allergen training items

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People Involved

NV
Nicholas Vagenas
Creator of the Big Baby burger
Retired to Surprise, Arizona

Organizations Involved

City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
Municipal licensing agency
Issued the license

Chicago's business licensing authority, which issued the retail food license to Big Baby's.
BB
Big Baby's
Retail Food Establishment
Licensee at 9926-9928 S Torrence Ave under the name Big Baby's Southern Soul Kitchen & Grill LLC

Business licensed for food prepared on site without a dining area at 9926-9928 S Torrence Ave, Chicago.

Timeline

1967 October 2026

3 events Latest: October 20th, 2026 · 3 weeks ago

  1. Retail food license issued

    Latest Regulatory

    Chicago retail food records list a license for food prepared on site without a dining area, issued to Big Baby's Southern Soul Kitchen & Grill LLC. City data dates the issue to Oct 16, 2026; the record was filed and reported Oct 20.

  2. City inspection passes with five violations

    Regulatory

    The license inspection at 9926-9928 S Torrence Ave passed. Inspectors listed five violations, including no mop sink with hot and cold water, a washroom door that did not self-close, missing washroom ventilation and training requirements.

  3. First Nicky's opens in Chicago

    Historical

    Nicholas Vagenas opens the first Nicky's hot dog stand, birthplace of the Big Baby burger.

Scenarios

1

Big Baby's opens for takeout at South Torrence address

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: The record itself: a passing inspection and issued license position the business to operate

The license and passing inspection indicate the business is set up to serve food for takeout. If it opens, it joins the informal network of South Side restaurants carrying the Big Baby name.

2

Big Baby's license lapses without the business operating

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: A possibility given the record shows only a license, not proof the business opened

Many licensed businesses never open. If Big Baby's doesn't start operating, the license may lapse or go unrenewed, and the address stays empty.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

1967-present

The Big Baby's South Side spread (1967-present)

Greek immigrant Nicholas Vagenas opened the first Nicky's hot dog stand in Chicago in 1967 and created the Big Baby, a double cheeseburger with grilled onions. He opened nine locations over four decades, usually selling them. Other entrepreneurs, many former Nicky's workers, opened their own Nicky's and Big Baby-serving restaurants across the South Side.

Then

The Big Baby became a South Side staple, with dozens of unconnected restaurants serving nearly identical menus.

Now

The name spread without trademark protection; owners say it's now 'open game' for anyone to open a Nicky's and sell Big Babies.

Why this matters now

This license for a business named Big Baby's continues that informal tradition of unconnected restaurants sharing the name and its menu.

Sources

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City of Chicago Data Portal WBEZ Chicago MapQuest GUTCHECK Chicago iBegin City of Chicago Data Portal City of Chicago Data Portal