BOSS BAR.

Chicago Health Dept

418-420 N CLARK ST · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Dec 2025), 1 critical violation noted.

16 inspections on record since 2013 · Last inspected Dec 2025 · 1 critical violation in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

DEC 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 9

2025

PASS 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE IN 1ST FLOOR WOMAN WASHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE OF THE ICE BINS ON ICE.INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A SEPARATE CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CHEST FREEZER DOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM IN POOR REPAIR,WITH EXPOSED INSULATION.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS AT BARS WITH LITTER DEBRIS/BROKEN GLASS IN BETWEEN BAR EQUIPMENTS AND ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS ON UPPER WALLS NEAR THE PIZZA OVENS.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS/WALLS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

SEP 19

2024

PASS 7 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE OPNENING EDGE OF THE LARGE ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF RUST ALONG THE OUTSIDE OPNENING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE INSIDE OPENING OF THE DEEP FREYER UNITS WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND POSSIBLE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER THE SHELVING IN THE WALK IN BEER COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT, DUST AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

Minor Pest Activity

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT, GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT FEEDING AND HARBORING IN AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE CREATED FLOOR AREA IN THE BASEMENT BEHIND THE DEEP FREEZERS WITH HEAVY BUILD UP OF DIRT, DUST AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE KITCHEN AREA UNDER THE BAR NEXT TO THE KITCHEN AND THE DRAINS WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED LARGE WOODEN BOARDS IN THE BASEMENT ALONG SIDE OF WALK IN COOLING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND CLEAN AREA OR ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT HARBORING IN AREA.

DEC 15

2023

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

No hands washing sign at basement prep area hand wash sink. instructed to post.

Minor Sanitation

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

Chest freezer door in basement's storage room in poor repair, exposed insulation, instructed to repair.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Using grocery bags for food storage in walk-in cooler, instructed to use food grade bags.

NOV 28

2022

PASS · 0 violations

NOV 18

2022

FAIL 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK, FULLY SUPPLIED, AND CAPABLE OF DELIVERING HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER PRESSURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN SOUTH BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Serious Food Temperature

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN NORTH BAR MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM OF CHLORINE. MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SO THAT MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING CHEMICAL SANITIZER IN PROPER CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN 50-100PPM OF CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Other

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO QAC TESTING STRIPS ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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DEC 28

2021

PASS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

HANDWASHING SIGNAGE MISSING AT THE BACK BAR HANDWASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND HEAVY DIRT BUILD UP IN THE KITCHEN AREA ON THE FLOOR BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

DEC 20

2021

FAIL 7 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

HANDWASHING SIGNAGE MISSING AT THE BACK BAR HANDWASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED AT LEAST 10 LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN THE FRONT MAIN BAR ON EQUIPMENT, ON AND AROUND BOTH BEER COOLERS, AND FLYING AROUND THE BOTTLES OF LIQUOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO ELIMINATE ACTIVITY FROM THE PREMISES AND TO CLEAN/SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

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

FOUND SHELVING IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER MADE OF UNSEALED WOOD. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE SO THAT SHELVES ARE NON-ABSORBENT, NON-CORROSIVE, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

FOUND DIRTY WATER AND DEBRIS INSIDE THE BOTTOM PORTION OF BOTH BEER COOLERS IN THE MAIN BAR. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED TWO OF THE AUTOMATIC HANDWASHING SINK FAUCETS IN THE MEN'S BASEMENT RESTROOM AND ONE OF THE AUTOMATIC HANDWASHING SINK FAUCETS IN THE WOMEN'S BASEMENT RESTROOM NOT OPERATING AT THIS TIME. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND HEAVY DIRT BUILD UP IN THE KITCHEN AREA ON THE FLOOR BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 1/17/2020 REPORT 2356980 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #47 (4-501.11) OBSERVED REACH IN FREEZER IN BASEMENT WITH A BROKEN LID. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090.

JAN 17

2020

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED REACH IN FREEZER IN BASEMENT WITH A BROKEN LID. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

REPEAT CORE VIOLATION. SEE VIOLATION #60.

Minor Documentation & Training

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2279265 ON 3/12/2019 NOT CORRECTED: "NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN." INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

MAR 12

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT/ DIARRHEA CLEANUP KIT, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT BAR AREA HAND WASH SINK, BAR WAS OPEN AND SERVING CUSTOMERS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

RAW WOOD SHELVING USED IN BASEMENT'S FOOD WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO SEAL.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MISSING LIGHT SHIELD AT KITCHEN CEILING LIGHT, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

MAR 13

2018

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

OBSERVED SEVERAL HAND SINKS NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. AT THE HANDSINK IN THE MAIN KITCHEN, NOTED NO PAPER TOWELS. AT THE MAIN BAR HANDSINK, NOTED NO SOAP OR PAPER TOWELS. AT THE BACK BAR, NOTED HANDSINK BLOCKED BY A BUCKET SITTING IN THE BASIN, AND NO SOAP OR PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL HANDSINKS MUST BE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES, AND SUPPLIED WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR PROVIDED SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT EACH SINK AND REMOVED THE BUCKET. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-030

Serious Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE, NO VALID CERTIFICATES POSTED, WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (FRIES, PIZZA) ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE, WITH VALID, ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED, AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-38-030.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING REUSED AS SHELF LINERS IN BASEMENT DRY STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN ALL SHELVING SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH, NON-ABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED OIL ACCUMULATING ON FLOOR BEHIND COOKLINE COOKING EQUIPMENT. OBSERVED BROKEN GLASS, DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER THE SIDE LIQUOR CAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

NOV 8

2016

PASS · 0 violations

OCT 27

2016

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

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

BAR GLASS MACHINE NOT SANITIZING, 0 PPM CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN GLASS MACHINE, MUST SANITIZE AT 100 PPM CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE MULTI-USE UTENSILS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED SMALL HOLES IN WALL BEHIND DISHWASH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL HOLES IN WALLS.

Minor Employee Hygiene

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

REAR BAR EXPOSED HANDWASH BOWL HOT WATER PRESSURE LOW. MUST INCREASE HOT WATER PRESSURE AT SINK.

SEP 8

2015

PASS · 0 violations

SEP 1

2015

FAIL 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

NOTED OVER 50 FLYING INSECTS ON WALLS, CEILINGS, SHELVES AND COUNTER TOP OF BARS THROUGH OUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY. CITATION ISSUED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-020

Minor Sanitation

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

NOTED SOME FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLER STORED INSIDE TIN CANS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS INSIDE CLEAN CONTAINERS WITH TIGHT FITTING LIDS AND NOT INSIDE THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BY THE GREASE TRAP AND ALONG WALL BASE AT THE BARS.

AUG 29

2014

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

NOTED TEMPERATURE OF SERVICE COOLER AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA TO BE IMPROPER AT 49.8F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 40F AND BELOW. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-005(A)

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

Minor Sanitation

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

NOTED STANDING WATER INSIDE SERVICE COOLER AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.ALSO NOTED SLIGHT DISCOLORATION INSIDE LINING OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

NOTED UNEVEN PAVEMENT BROKEN TILES ON FLOOR BY THE WALK IN COOLER AT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE WALK IN COOLER. ALSO NOTED GREASE ON FLOOR BEHIND COOKING STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

DEC 3

2013

FAIL 0 violations

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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