HIGHLINE BAR AND LOUNGE.

Chicago Health Dept

169 W KINZIE ST · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2024.

11 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Oct 2024.

Last inspected Oct 2024. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

OCT 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

OCT 10

2024

PASS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHIBG SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA NEAR TWO COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO POST CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES.

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED BLACK MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE ON FRONT INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE NEAR THE TOP OF THE SHIELD. INSTRUCTED CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE. CORRECTED ON SITE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION.

Minor Employee Hygiene

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO RIGHT SIDE SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK AT MAIN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL RIGHT SIDE SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK IN MAIN BAR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF LIQUOR IN BOTTLES.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK #2(ON SOUTHSIDE) IN SECOND FLOOR WOMEN'S WASHROOM NOT WORKING AND OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK #4 IN SECOND FLOOR MEN'S WASHROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN. (THERE ARE FOUR OTHER PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SINKS IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM ON SECOND FLOOR AND THREE OTHER PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SINKS IN MEN'S WASHROOM ON SECOND FLOOR).

DEC 8

2023

PASS 2 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Several bulk food containers ( flour, salt, sugar...) not labeled, instructed to label and maintain.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Meat slicer not clean behind blade, food debris noted, instructed to clean and maintain.

NOV 30

2022

PASS 5 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED AT END OF BAR CLOSER TO ENTRANCE TO RESTAURANT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED DIRECTLY IN ICE BIN LOCATED IN REAR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO STORE OUTSIDE OF ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED ONE CUTTING BOARD ON MAIN COOK LINE COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED ONE WASHBOWL SINK IN EACH MEN'S TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

JUL 29

2021

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED RUST ACCUMULATION ON STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER ADJACENT TO THE BEER COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST SO SURFACE IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE, AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL IN REAR STORAGE AREA, ADJACENT TO BEER COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHT IN HOOD OVER COOKING EQUIPMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 14

2020

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ALONG MAIN PREP LINE COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED A TORN GASKET ON DOOR TO WALK-IN COOLER CONTAINING PROTEINS AND PRODUCE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELD OVER LIGHTS IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

show all 11 inspections →

OCT 21

2019

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

SODA GUN HOLDER NOT DRAINING PROPERLY AT BAR AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGER, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN

NOV 6

2018

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS, INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.

SEP 5

2017

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

Observed food handler chopping ready to eat foods (cauliflower) with bare hands. Observed several food handlers putting on gloves without washing hands first. Discussed good hygienic practices with kitchen manager. Instructed must wash hands before putting on gloves, and in between glove changes. Instructed no bare hand contact with ready to eat foods, such as cauliflower (served raw on a platter). Operator corrected during inspection. Cauliflower discarded during inspection and food handlers instructed to follow proper procedure for wearing gloves. Critical violation 7-38-010.

Critical Employee Hygiene

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

Observed both bar hand sinks without paper towels. Observed items (mat and straws, etc.) in basin of hand sink upstairs, making inaccessible for proper hand washing. Instructed all hand sinks may only be used for washing hands. Instructed all hand sinks must have soap and paper towels available at all times. Critical violation 7-38-030.

Minor Sanitation

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

Observed small amount of black, slimy, mold-like substance on the right side of plastic top of lower compartment of ice machine. Must remove, clean and sanitize. Must maintain same.

Minor Sanitation

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

Observed floor heavily soiled in walk in cooler in kitchen (has beer and food). Must detail clean and sanitize floor. Must maintain same.

Minor Pest Activity

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

Observed large openings in wall under hand sink in kitchen, next to the cooking line. Must repair and maintain to prevent pest entry.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

Observed toilet in 2nd stall on right of women's restroom in disrepair. Must repair and maintain same. Observed right washbowl, on right side of women's restroom, does not turn on (sensor). Must repair and maintain same.

JUN 28

2016

PASS 5 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

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

OBSERVED GAP BETWEEN EXPOSED HANDWASH BOWLS AT PREP AND DISHWASH AREA WALLS. MUST RECAULK EXPOSED HANDWASH BOWLS TO WALL.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE UPPER PORTION ALSO OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF SINKS/COOLERS AT MAIN BAR. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND EXTERIOR OF MAIN BAR EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST CLEAN/KEEP DRY FLOOR A MAIN BAR.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON WALLS AT MAIN BAR. MUST CLEAN WALLS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MAIN BAR COOLER MISSING ONE THERMOMETER. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR COOLER.

JUN 18

2015

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

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

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. SUCH AS 8 IBS OF LASAGNA AT 44.9F, 2 LBS OF STRIP STEAK AT 45.0F, 5 LBS OF SALMON AT 45.7F, AND 7 LBS OF MAHI MAHI AT 44.8F. ALSO INSIDE THE PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT,SUCH AS 5 LBS OF GROUPER AT 45.3F, 7 LBS OF TURKEY AT 45.5F. AND 6LBS OF SMOKE CHICKEN AT 45.3. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN A TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR LESS DURING STORAGE INSIDE THE COOLER. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A). MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID PRODUCT WORTH $190.00. TOTAL 40 LBS. TEMPERATURE OF WALK IN COOLER AT 38.0F,COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 40.0F

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

FOUND EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE TO WASH HANDS. BIG CONTAINER FOR COLD FOODS, PLASTIC FOOD CONTAINER STACKED UP TO 4 FEET IN FRONT OF THE SINK. AND A PIECE OF WIRE RACK FOR THE TOASTER ON TOP OF THE SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL HAND WASHING FACILITIES MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AND COVENIENT FOR THE EMPLOYEE TO WASH HANDS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030. MANAGER REMOVED ALL THE PLASTIC CONTAINERS AND WIRE RACK IN FRONT OF THE SINK DURING INSPECTION.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST INSTALL OR PROVIDE LIDS FOR THE ICE BINS BEHIND THE TWO BARS.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR UPPER COMPARTMENT OF THE ICE MACHINE, EXTERIOR SIDES OF THE STOVE(WITH GREASE BUILD-UP), ALL THE WHEELS OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT(WITH HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATED), EXPOSED HAND SINK AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE COOK LINE WITH GREASE AND DUST ACCUMULATED. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

ALL ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED ON A SEPARATE CONTAINER TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION (NOT ON TOP OF THE ICE INSIDE THE ICE BIN).

AUG 29

2014

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

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

NOTED MULTI USE UTENSILS ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL UTENSILS DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION AND CONTAMINATION.

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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