BENCHWARMERS SPORTS BAR AND GRILL.

Chicago Health Dept

1540 W NORTH AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2016.

7 inspections on record since 2012 · Last inspected Oct 2016.

Last inspected Oct 2016. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
7
VIOLATIONS
35
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
OCT 2016

INSPECTION HISTORY

OCT 21
2016
PASS 5 violations
Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

NO SPLASH GUARD PROVIDED BETWEEN THE MOP SINK AND DRAIN BOARD OF THE TREE COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST INSTALL SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE, ALSO MUST INSTALL PROPER SUPPORT FOR THE DRAIN BOARD BY THE MOP SINK AND REMOVE DIRTY, NOT MAINTAINED CRATE

Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

GREASE AND DEBRIS AT INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENTS,INCLUDED DEEP FRYER,PIPES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND WHEELS OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS.ALL SHELVES IN PREP AREA WITH GRIMES ON IT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER.

Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

GRIMES,GREASE AND ENCRUSTED FOOD THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA,INCLUDED BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP. PARTIAL RUG BY THE WINDOW WITH HEAVY STAINS AND GRIMES,INSTRUCTED TO SHAMPOO OR REPLACE.MUST MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

WORKING STOPPER IS NEEDED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK BAR AREA,REMOVE DIRTY PLASTIC

Minor Documentation & Training
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN THEM.INFORMATION GIVEN

OCT 6
2016
FAIL 7 violations
Serious Sanitation
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WITH SLIME SUBSTANCE BUILD-UP AT INTERIOR OF ICE BIN AND AT WATER RESERVOIR WERE ICE IS MADE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN,SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)

Serious Documentation & Training
* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NO VALID CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE,NOR PROVIDED DURING THE INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL TO SANITATION CLASS.A LEAST ONE CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ARE PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED.INFORMATION GIVEN FOR ENROLLMENT TO CLASS SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-012(A)

Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

NO SPLASH GUARD PROVIDED BETWEEN THE MOP SINK AND DRAIN BOARD OF THE TREE COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST INSTALL SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE, ALSO MUST INSTALL PROPER SUPPORT FOR THE DRAIN BOARD BY THE MOP SINK AND REMOVE DIRTY, NOT MAINTAINED CRATE

Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

GREASE AND DEBRIS AT INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENTS,INCLUDED DEEP FRYER,PIPES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND WHEELS OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS.ALL SHELVES IN PREP AREA WITH GRIMES ON IT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER.

Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

GRIMES,GREASE AND ENCRUSTED FOOD THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA,INCLUDED BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP. PARTIAL RUG BY THE WINDOW WITH HEAVY STAINS AND GRIMES,INSTRUCTED TO SHAMPOO OR REPLACE.MUST MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

WORKING STOPPER IS NEEDED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK BAR AREA,REMOVE DIRTY PLASTIC

Minor Documentation & Training
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN THEM.INFORMATION GIVEN

FEB 23
2015
PASS · 0 violations
FEB 20
2015
FAIL 9 violations 1 CRITICAL
Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

BAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK NOT MAINTAINED. NO HOT WATER AVAILABLE AT SINK. HOT HANDLE DOES NOT TURN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Serious Other
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM 10-3-14 NOT CORRECTED #38-MUST INSTALL BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.

Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKET ON COOKS LINE TWO DOOR COOLER. MUST REPLACE. MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE UTILITY MOP SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN BOARD.

Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR THE FLOOR UNDER THE DEEP FRYERS.

Minor Sanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS LINER/PLASH GUARD ON COOKS LINE WALL.

Minor Facility Condition
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD END CAPS FOR LIGHTS ABOVE COOKS LINE.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

BUT PROVIDE SELF-CLOSING DEVICES ON ALL WASHROOM DOORS.

Minor Documentation & Training
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

FOOD HANDLER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO CERTIFICATES OR PROOF OF TRAINING. MUST HAVE PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

Minor Facility Condition
NO SMOKING REGULATIONS

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF SMOKING WITHIN 15FT. OF FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE/EXIT TO RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. A LARGE BUCKET WITH APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 CIGARETTE BUTTS FOUND ON TOP OF A GARBAGE CAN LID FOUND 1 FT. FROM ENTRANCE. INSTRUCTED ALL SMOKING AND ASHTRAYS MUST BE 15FT. OR FURTHER FROM ENTRANCE. MANAGEMENT MOVED. FIRST SMOKING VIOLATION 7-32-015.

OCT 3
2014
PASS 4 violations
Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN FLOORS IN BASEMENT. REPAIR FLOOR IN BASEMENT WOMEN WASHROOM. FLOOR MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

SEAL OPENINGS IN CEILING NEAR SODA DISPENSER UNITS IN BASEMENT.

Minor Facility Condition
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN WALK-IN COOLER. REPLACE DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE CATERING EQUIPMENT IN BASEMENT.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

INSTALL BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK.

show all 7 inspections →
NOV 14
2013
PASS 6 violations
Minor Sanitation
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

Multi use utensils not properly stored. Instructed to invert utensils to prevent contamination before use.

Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

Ice bins in bar not provided with covers. Instructed to provide covers for all ice bins to prevent possible contamination. Cutting board not maintained in prep area. Instructed to replace worn cutting board.

Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

Exhaust hood and filters not clean. Instructed to detail clean hood and filters.

Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

Floor in rear prep area not amintained. Instructed to detail clean flor along wallbase and reseal surface.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

Exhaust fan not installed in basement toilet room. Instructed to install exhaust fans. Soda gun holders not provided with drainliines. Instructed to install drainlines to proper disposal of liquid waste.

Minor Sanitation
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

Unnecessary articles stored in basement in several areas. Instructed to remove all unused articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.

OCT 26
2012
PASS 4 violations
Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

TIN FOIL ON WORK TABLE SHELVING NEEDS TO BE REMOVED NEXT TO GRILL. ICE BIN COVERS NEEDED FOR ICE BIN.

Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

NOTED FLOOR COVING COMMING OFF WALL NEXT TO REAR EXIT DOOR NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY AFFIXED TO WALL.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

ALL RESTROOMS NEEDS SELF CLOSING DEVICES.

Minor Sanitation
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

CLUTTER NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM FROM FURNACE ROOM AND AT VOID WHERE GAS METERS ARE LOCATED.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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