BLACK DOG GELATO.

Chicago Health Dept

859 N DAMEN AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Oct 2025), 4 critical violations noted.

14 inspections on record since 2010 · Last inspected Oct 2025 · 4 critical violations in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

OCT 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

OCT 3

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 12 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIROITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)

Critical Pest Activity

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED.HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (SLICED TURKEY,PESTO,ARUGULA,PASTRAMI,GELATO,ETC)MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)

Critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY MALE FOOD HANDLER OBSERVED HIM GO INTO WALK IN FREEZER AND COME BACK OUT,THEN PUT A MAGNET ON SIDE OF WALK IN COOLER THEN PUT ON PLASTIC GLOVES AND HANDLED A TURKEY SANDWICH THAT WAS ON TOPSIDE OF PREP COOLER TO PUT IN DELI PAPER WITHOUT WASHING HANDS.MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

Critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLER WASH HIS HANDS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT SINK,AFTER BEING INSTRUCTED TO WASH HIS HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION .INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS AT DESIGNATED HAND WASHING SINK. (COS)(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

Minor Employee Hygiene

GLOVES USED PROPERLY

OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLER.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN WALK IN COOLER AND 1ST FL. DRY STORAGE AREA.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN TOILET ROOM AND LEAKY CONDENSER IN WALK IN COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN FOOD SPLATTER FROM WALL IN WALK IN FREEZER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE IN WALK IN COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR IN BASEMENT AND STANDING WATER ON FLOOR BEHIND REACH IN FREEZER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 3

2024

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED SCOOP STORED IN SUGAR WITH HANDLE DIRECTLY TOUCHING SUGAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE SCOOP WITH HANDLE FACING UP OR OUTSIDE OF CONTAINER ON A FOOD-GRADE SURFACE.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE WITH DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED MISSING GROUT AT HAND WASHING SINK IN TOILET ROOM. THE SINK APPEARS DETACHED FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.

JUN 2

2023

PASS · 0 violations

MAR 1

2019

PASS 6 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

STOPPERS NEEDED AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE AT THE ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED OPENING INTO CEILING IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL BASEBOARD BEHIND AND NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT DISHWASHING AREA.

Minor Other

56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MAY 30

2018

PASS 2 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

NOTED THE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED LEAKS AT THE FAUCET FIXTURES ON THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

show all 14 inspections →

MAY 26

2017

PASS 1 violation

Minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING LATCH FOR THE EMPLOYEE BATHROOM BEHIND THE PREP AREA.

MAY 19

2016

PASS · 0 violations

OCT 8

2015

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

RUBBER GASKETS IN NEED OF REPAIRING ON REACH IN COOLER. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

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

FLOORS UNDER 1 COMP SINK AT 1 ST FLOOR IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE CERTIFICATES AT ALL TIMES.

MAY 22

2014

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

REPAIR, SEAL OPENINGS, AND PAINT NORTH WALL IN PREP AREA.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND HOT WATER HANDLE ON 1-COMPARTMENT SINK.

AUG 7

2012

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations

Serious Documentation & Training

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

(a) All food establishments, and all theaters at which food is prepared or served, shall employ and have present on the premises at all times that potentially hazardous food is being prepared or served, a person who holds a department of health certificate of registration in food handling and sanitation.Every such certificate of registration shall be posted conspicuously in that part of the retail food establishment to which the public has access.Serious violation 7-38-012(a).

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

All clean single service utensils must be stored with handles up.

Minor Sanitation

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

Must Seal noticeable openings on walls in basement areas were noted.

Minor Sanitation

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

Clean and organize dry storage area shelvings in basement must be made accessible for inspection.

Minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

Food handlers must have hair restraints when working around open food.

AUG 2

2011

PASS 1 violation

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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 LEAK UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, BASEMENT DISH AREA

JUN 23

2010

PASS · 0 violations

JUN 16

2010

FAIL 1 violation 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

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.HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER NOT INSTALLED FOR TABLE TOP TAYLOR ICE CREAM MACHINES,NO TAYLOR CLEANING MANUALS ON SITE.

JUN 3

2010

FAIL 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

Minor Sanitation

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.4" INCH COVING NOT INSTALLED IN FOOD PREP,DISHROOM.

Minor Sanitation

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 FOOD PREP BEHIND SERVICE COUNTERS,DRY STORAGE NOT SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE.

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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