SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

BLACKWOOD BBQ.

BEAT. 36/100

222 W MERCHANDISE MART PLZ · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Last inspected January 29, 2025 · passed with conditions

Failed an inspection 3 years ago. 8 critical violations on the cumulative record. Recent enough to matter.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
2 passed · 3 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
27
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
5 YEARS
since Dec 2019

INSPECTION HISTORY

JAN 29
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
9 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO DISPOSABLE TOWELS AT HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED HANDWASHING SINKS SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH HAND DRYING PROVISIONS AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE DISPOSABLE TOWELS PROVIDED FOR HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

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

OBSERVED BUILDUP ON CAN OPENER IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE CAN OPENER.

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

OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH COUNTER IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

SERIOUSSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED PREP TABLE IN REAR NEAR ICE MACHINE WITH BUILDUP ON LEGS AND PANS AT BASE OF TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE PREP TABLE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED DRAINPIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAINPIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DIMLY LIT REAR PREP AREA IN AREA NEAR ICE MACHINE AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY IN REAR PREP AREA IN AREA NEAR ICE MACHINE AND PREP TABLE.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

MAY 21
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALFood Temperature
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 66.7-79.3F AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED A HANDWASHING SINK SHALL BE EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. CORRECTED ON SITE HANDWASHING SINKS REPAIRED AND AT PROPER MINIMUM TEMPERATURES BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. OBSERVED PROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURES AT MEN'S HANDWASHING SINK OF 102.7F AND WOMEN'S HANDWASHING SINK OF 101.8F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

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

OBSERVED CRATES USED TO ELEVATE LARGE CONTAINERS OF BBQ SAUCE(UNDER COUNTER) AND SODA IN A BOX(NEAR BACK DOOR). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

FEB 21
2023
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

4-602.12: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO BE SLIGHTLY SOILED WITH DEBRIS ON INTERIOR EDGES. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFood Temperature
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

4-204.112(B): THERMOMETERS IS NOT PROVIDED IN ALL COLD AND HOT HOLDING UNITS. COLD/HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT USED FOR TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE THERMOMETER IN AN EASILY VIEWED LOCATION.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11: PLASTIC CUP WITHOUT A HANDLE USED AS A SCOOP FOR DRY STORAGE FOOD CONTAINERS. FACILITY MUST REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH A SCOOP THAT HAS A HANDLE.

FEB 14
2023
FAILED
10 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON SITE FOR THE PRESENT MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS BEEF AND CHICKEN WERE PREPARED AND MADE ON SITE. NO VALID DOCCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. A LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHEN FOOD IS HANDLED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO BE SLIGHTLY SOILED WITH DEBRIS ON INTERIOR EDGES. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSDocumentation & Training
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

DATE OF MAC & CHEESE MARKED ON 2/7/23 EXCEEDS THE TIME LIMIT AND HAS PASSED THE 7 DAY EXPIRATION DATE ON 2/13/23. DISCUSSED AND REVIEWED HACCP CONCEPTS WITH PERSON IN CHARGE THAT FOOD IN ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE HELD LESS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7DAYS. APPROXIMATELY 22.5 POUNDS AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $270.00 HAS BEEN DISCARDED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Temperature
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

THERMOMETERS IS NOT PROVIDED IN ALL COLD AND HOT HOLDING UNITS. COLD/HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT USED FOR TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE THERMOMETER IN AN EASILY VIEWED LOCATION.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH SERVICE REPORTS NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. FACILITY MUST ENSURE THAT ALL SERVICE REPORT FROM THE LICENSE PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (C) CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY OVER 20 SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS WHEN ENTERING THROUGH THE BACK DOOR NEAR WALK-IN COOLER AREA. THE PREMISES SHALL BE MAINTAINED FREE OF CRAWLING INSECTS, RODENTSM AND OTHER PESTS, AND THE PRESENCE OF FLYING INSECTS SHALL BE EFFECTIVELY MINIMZED USING A LICENSE PEST CONTROL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A) CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

PLASTIC CUP WITHOUT A HANDLE USED AS A SCOOP FOR DRY STORAGE FOOD CONTAINERS. FACILITY MUST REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH A SCOOP THAT HAS A HANDLE.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS ON SITE. FACILITY MUST ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HAVE A CITY MANAGERS CERTIFICATION, MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.

MINORDocumentation & Training
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED ON SITE DATED FROM 2/7/2022. REPORT #2549480. #58) OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

MINOROther
SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

PREVIOUS SUMMARY REPORT DATED FROM 2/7/22 WAS NOT POSTED IN THE PUBLICS VIEW. FACILITY HAD SUMMARY REPORT IN BINDER AT TIME OF INSPECTION. FACILITY MUST ALWAYS POST UP SUMMARY REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010 (B) CITATION ISSUED.

FEB 7
2022
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO SOAP AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN MIDDLE AREA NEXT TO ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SOAP AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

MINOROther
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

OBSERVED NO LIST OF WHICH EMPLOYEES ARE VACCINATED AND WHICH ARE TESTING WEEKLY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

show all 6 inspections →
DEC 10
2019
PASSED
0 violations

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →

NEARBY IN RIVER NORTH