EARLS KITCHEN + BAR.
1538 N CLYBOURN AVE · OLD TOWN, CHICAGO
Failed 3 of 12 inspections. 12 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
JUL 192023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
2-102.13: FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS NOT PROVIDED ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NOT CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
JUL 122023FAILED14 violations6 CRITICALDETAILS
THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY CERTIFICATION OR DOCUMENTATION OF PENDING CITY CERTIFICATE WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS COOKED CHICKEN ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED ON SITE. NO OTHER ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON-SITE FOR THE PRESENT MANAGER ON DUTY. NO VALID DOCCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. DURING EXIT INEPCTION, CITY CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING BETWEEN 126-130F AT THE METERED HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE DISHWASHING AREA AND AT THE END OF LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND BRING WATER TEMPERATURES DOWN BETWEEN 100-120F. SEE ABOVE FOR PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C), CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED CUCUMBER SLICES IN HANDWASHING SINK AT THE END OF COOKLINE MAKING IT INACCESSIBLE TO HANDWASHING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOOD ITEMS TO MAKE HAND SINK ACCESSIBLE. SEE ABOVE FOR PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c), CITATION ISSUED.
THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK WAS SOLD IS NOT RECORDED ON ALL SHELLSTOCK TAGS THAT WERE PROVIDED ON SITE. THE FACILITY MUST RECORD THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK WAS SOLD. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REVIEW INVOICE RECEIPTS IN HOUSE TO VERIFY WHEN LAST SHELLSTOCK ITEMS WERE SOLD PER TAG. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED BLACK SLIME RESIDUE IN WHITE INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE NOT SANITIZING. MEASURED CHLORINE READING 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. DISH MACHINE CHLORINE SANITIZING SHOULD MEASURE BETWEEN 50-200PPM. ECO LAB HAD SERVICED DISH MACHINE, SANITIER MEASURED AT 100PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025, CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 MOUSE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN COOKLINE AND ELECTRICAL ROOM. OBSERVED ONE LIVE RODENT RUN THROUGH THE COOKLINE FLOOR. OBSERVED AT LEAST 50 SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS NEAR SODA BOXES IN STORAGE CLOSET, DISH AREA, UTILITY CLOSET. FACILITY MUST ELIMINATE ALL LIVE RODENT ACTIVITY, DROPPINGS AND SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECT ACTIVITY IN THE FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (a) CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED CLEAN UTENSILS SUCH AS FORKS AND KNIVES OUT ON DISPLAY IS NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION AT CUSTOMER TABLES. UTENSILS MUST BE COVERED AND/OR WRAPED CLEAN UTENSILS SHALL BE HANDLED, DISPLAYED, AND DISPENSED SO THAT FOOD AND LIP CONTACT SURFACES ARE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
MOSCOW MULE DRINKS IS BEING SERVED IN COPPER MUGS (INTERIOR OF THE MUG IS COOPER LINED). COPPER AND COPPER ALLOYS SUCH AS BRASS MAY NOT BE USED IN CONTACT WITH A FOOD/DRINK PRODCUTS THAT HAS A PH BELOW 6 SUCH AS VINEGAR, FRUIT JUICE, OR WINE. MANAGER DISCARDED COPPER MUGS ON SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED LEAK AT THE HAND WASHING SINK FAUCETS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND AT THE END OF COOKLINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
EMPLOYEE RESTROOM DOORS MISSING SELF CLOSING DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOORS.
OBSERVED WET MOP STORED IN THE BUCKET INSIDE OF UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO HAND MOPS WHEN NOT IN USE TO ALLOW TO DRY.
FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS NOT PROVIDED ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NOT CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
JUN 232022FAILED7 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CERTIIFED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS HAMBURGERS WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED SUSHI RICE ON SITE WITHOUT SUSHI RICE LETTER AND/OR PH METER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EITHER SUSHI RICE LETTER FROM LABORATORY OR PH METER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON DOOR TO WALK-IN COOLER CONTAINING PROTEINS ETC. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE ONE OF 2 EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED ONE BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE TO COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2463258 DATED 12/2/2020. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
DEC 22020PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED SLOW LEAK ON PIPE UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED HEAVY DUST BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS IN REAR REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND ABOVE REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED STANDING WATER ON FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST MAINTAIN FLOOR DRY AT ALL TIMES.
show all 12 inspections →
JAN 292019PASS W/ CONDITIONS5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
NO VOMIT/ DIARRHEA WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN
CLEAR PLASTIC PORTION CUPS NOT AIR DRIED PROPERLY AFTER WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO AIR AIR DRY BEFORE STACKING.
LOOSE CAULKING AT VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR CERTIFIED MGRS, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
JAN 32018PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED MULTIPLE HANDSINKS THROUGHOUT FACILITY NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. NOTED THE DISHROOM HANDSINK AND REAR PREP LINE HANDSINK AUTOMATIC FAUCET BATTERIES DEAD (FAUCETS UNABLE TO PROVIDE WATER FOR HANDWASHING). NOTED NO HAND SOAP AT BAR HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL HANDSINKS MUST BE FULLY OPERATIONAL (PROVIDING HOT AND COLD WATER) AND SUPPLIED WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR REPLACED DEAD BATTERIES AND PROVIDED SOAP AT BAR DURING INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-030
OBSERVED FOOD NOT PROTECTED IN THE LARGE ICE MACHINE. NOTED DARK, MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE FORMING ON THE CHUTE AND FRAME OF CHUTE LEADING FROM TOP COMPARTMENT INTO THE STORAGE WELL, WITH WATER DRIPPING FROM SOILED EDGES INTO ICE. INSTRUCTED THAT ICE MACHINE MUST BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED TO PROTECT ICE PRODUCTION AND STORAGE. OPERATOR DISCARDED ALL ICE AND CLEANED AND SANITIZED ICE MACHINE DURING INSPECTION. OBSERVED SLICED BAR FRUIT STORED IN OPEN CONTAINERS ON MAIN BAR IN FRONT OF CUSTOMER SEATING. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD MUST BE PROTECTED FROM CUSTOMER CONTACT AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR PROVIDED A COVER FOR THE BAR FRUIT DURING INSPECTION. OBSERVED OPEN-TOPPED PITCHERS OF WATER STORED AT SERVER'S COUNTERS THAT ARE LOCATED IN AISLES AND PATHWAYS THAT ARE NOT PROTECTED FROM CUSTOMERS WALKING THROUGH THE DINING ROOM. MUST STORE OPEN CONTAINERS AWAY FROM CUSTOMERS OR PROVIDE APPROPRIATE COVERS/LIDS. OPERATOR RELOCATED PITCHERS TO PROTECTED SERVER'S STATION WHICH DOES NOT HAVE CUSTOMER ACCESS. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-38-005(A)
OBSERVED PRE-SET CUPS AND SILVERWARE STORED IMPROPERLY ON DINING ROOM TABLES. WHEN PRE-SETTING DINING ROOM TABLES, MUST STORE CUPS INVERTED AND SILVERWARE COVERED.
OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON WALK IN COOLER FAN COVERS. OBSERVED RED SYRUP-LIKE STAINS ON WALK IN FREEZER WALL. OBSERVED OIL AND CRUMBS BUILDING UP ON COOK LINE TOASTER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN THESE ITEMS.
JAN 62017PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR PANEL PORTION OF THE LARGE ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE SLIGHT BUILD-UP.
MUST READJUST THE TIMERS AT THE FOLLOWING HAND SINKS SO AS TO RUN FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 SECONDS AT ALL TIMES WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER: HAND SINK AT THE SALAD PREP AREA AND HAND SINK AT THE APPETIZER PREP STATION AREA. FOUND AUTOMATIC HAND SINKS NOT RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY FOR 15 SECONDS.MUST REPAIR.
MUST PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS FOR ALL OF THE COOLERS AT THE HOT SIDE COOKING LINE. FOUND ALL THERMOMETERS AT THE ABOVE STATED AREA NOT IN WORKING ORDER.
JUL 262016PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violationsDETAILS
NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE, WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED, AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION,MANAGER PROVIDED A COPY OF HIS CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON HIS COMPUTER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE AND HAVE POSTED AS REQUIRED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
OBSERVED MISSING ICE BIN COVERS AT THE BARS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ICE BIN COVERS ON CONSUMABLE ICE BINS AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED A SMALL WATER LEAK AT PIPE ON WALL BEHIND THE DISHMACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH NO BEARD HAIRNET.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BEARDNET WHEN WORKING AROUND OPEN FOODS AND MAINTAIN.
JUL 192016FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN THE DISHWASHING AREA AND AT THE REAR PREP AREA. APPROXIMATELY 40 LIVE FRUIT FLIES WERE OBSERVED ON THE WALLS, CEILING AND EQUIPMENT IN THESE AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE THESE AREAS AND MAINTAIN. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (SALAD DRESSINGS,RICE,SOUPS ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
OBSERVED MISSING ICE BIN COVERS AT THE BARS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ICE BIN COVERS ON CONSUMABLE ICE BINS AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SPLASHED FOOD DEBRIS ON CEILING IN THE DISHMACHINE ROOM.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE CEILINGS AT THE DISHMACHINE ROOM AND COOKLINE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED A SMALL WATER LEAK AT PIPE ON WALL BEHIND THE DISHMACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH NO BEARD HAIRNET.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BEARDNET WHEN WORKING AROUND OPEN FOODS AND MAINTAIN.
MAR 42016PASS W/ CONDITIONS3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPARING TUNA TOSTADAS WITH HIS BARE HANDS DURING THIS INSPECTION.THERE IS NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS(USE GLOVES,TONGS,SPOONS,SPATULAS ETC.).PREVIOUSLY NOTED IN COMMENTS INSPECTION REPORT#1578323 DATED:09/30/2015. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010(A).
OBSERVED HEAVY DUST BUILD-UP ON HOOD ABOVE THE KITCHEN DISHMACHINE UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
STOCK ITEMS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALL AND MAINTAIN.
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 →