LEM'S BAR-B-Q.
311 E 75TH ST · CHATHAM, CHICAGO
Failed 5 of 22 inspections. 12 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
SEP 122025PASSED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGN AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON VENTILATION FAN INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND/OR EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
SEP 42025FAILED9 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGN AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
OBSERVED NUMEROUS FLYING INSECTS LANDING ON BARBECUE SAUCE, HOT SAUCE, SPICE CONTAINERS AND SINGLE SERVICE PANS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED 1/2" GAP ON BOTTOM OF REAR OUTER SCREEN DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON VENTILATION FAN INSIDE WASHROOM AND WALLS IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND/OR EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2615438 ON 4-9-25 47-FRONT HAND WASHING SINK NEEDS A PARTITIONER/SPLASH GUARD TO PREVENT SPLASHING ONTO THE PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PARTITIONER/SPLASH GUARD OR RELOCATE PREP TABLE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
APR 92025PASSED4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FRONT HAND WASHING SINK NEEDS A PARTITIONER/SPLASH GUARD TO PREVENT SPLASHING ONTO THE PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PARTITIONER/SPLASH GUARD OR RELOCATE PREP TABLE.
THE AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN TUBES ARE IN THE FIRST COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REROUTE TUBES TO A FLOOR DRAIN AND MAINTAIN.
VENT COVER ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONER IS MISSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
FLOORS AROUND THE HOT WATER TANK, GREASE TRAPS AND SINKS WITH DIRT/DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
APR 32024PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE.
OBSERVED THE FLOORS AROUND THE HOT WATER TANK, GREASE TRAPS AND SINKS WITH DIRT/DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER WITH NO PROOF THEY MET THE FOOD HANDLER'S REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A CURRENT CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES.
OBSERVED THE CFM ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A CURRENT CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES.
SEP 112023PASSED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED A BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINER STORED ON THE SHELVING UNIT UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLE; IN THE DISHWASHING AREA NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL INGREDIENTS WITH ITS COMMON NAME WHEN TAKEN OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED THE SECURITY DOOR AT THE REAR DISHWASHING/ FOOD PREP AREA NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED CUPS STORED IN THE DRY INGREDIENT STORAGE CONTAINER AT THE REAR DISHWASHING/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES TO TRANSFER INGREDIENTS AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER USING A TOWEL TO TRANSFER READY TO EAT FOOD FROM THE GRILL TO THE FOOD PREP TABLE AND THEN USING THE TOWEL TO WIPE THE MEAT AREA. THE TOWEL DID NOT HAVE ANY CHEMICAL SOLUTION ON IT. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM UTILIZING WIPING CLOTHES TO TRANSFER READY TO EAT FOODS. THE TOWEL WAS DISCARDED AT THIS TIME.
OBSERVED THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE HOT WATER TANK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOOR.
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
show all 22 inspections →
JAN 72022PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT FRONT HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
OBSERVED NO DATE MARKING SYSTEM ON RIBS, SAUSAUGES HELD OVER IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE MARKED WITH DAY OR DATE TO DISCARD MAXIMUM 7 DAYS. MANAGER DISCAREDED AND DENATURED 90 LBS OF RIBS AND TIPS VALUED AT $200. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOOR NOT COMPLETELY RODENT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED MAANGER TO SEAL GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR TO PREVENT ENTRY OF UNWANTED PESTS.
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOOR BEHIND GREASE TRAP AND ACCUMULATED DUST ON VENTILATION COVER IN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
JUN 72021PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED CARDBOARD LINING SHELVING UNIT IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED TILE BROKEN AT THE GRILL UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING.
JUN 132018FAILED4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR PROPER SANITIZER CONCENTRATION IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR PRPE AREA.
REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN WALK-IN COOLER.
REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
JUN 82017PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
MUST SEAL THE OPENINGS AROUND THE PIPES UNDERNEATH THE HAND SINK IN THE WASHROOM. MUST CLEAN THE VENTILATION FAN ON THE CEILING OF THE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED ON THE VENT.
THE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR IS NOT ATTACHED; REATTACH SELF CLOSING DEVICE TO WASHROOM DOOR.
OCT 12015PASSED1 violationDETAILS
OBSERVED FLOOR UNDER 3 COMP SINK IN NEED OF REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
SEP 232015FAILED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE BACK STORAGE, TOILET ROOM AND REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREA AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
OBSERVED BROKEN DOOR GASKETS ON THE WALK-IN COOLER, AND 1 DOOR COOLER IN REAR PREP/STORAGE AREA. REMOVE RUST ON RACKS IN THE 1 DOOR REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED DIRTY FLOOR DRAINS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. ALSO DIRT AND DEBRIS IN CORNERS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL BY WALK-IN COOLER, SEAL WALL IN REAR PREP AREA, WALL BASE BOARD IN NEED OF REPAIR IN REAR PREP AREA, SEAL HOLE IN WALL BEHIND TOILET. ALSO CLEAN VENT COVERS IN TOILET ROOM AND FRONT CUSTOMER WAITING AREA. MAINTAIN SAME.
INSTALL WORKING THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS, AND MAINTAIN.
AUG 142014PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
LABEL COOKED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE PANS AT THE 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER
REMOVE SOME RUST FROM THE GREASE TRAP AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK
CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE P-REPN AREA,NEAR PREP TABLE OF FOOD DEBRIS
REPAIR THE SPRING ON THE WASHROOM DOOR FOR SELF-CLOSING
APR 102014FAILED2 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
THE REAR EXIT OUTER DOOR IS NOT RODENT PROOF,HAS A 1/4 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF DOOR,MUST REPAIR TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE VENT IN THE REAR OF PREMISES
MAY 232013PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
LABEL AND DATE ALL PREPARED FOOD IN COOLERS.
CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZER.
ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR.
CLEAN/PAINT WALLS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS, IN DOORWAY ALONG BASES, ETC.
SEPARATE CLEANING EQUIPMENT FROM CANNED KETCHUP ON SHELF IN REAR STORAGE.
DEC 52012PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
PAINT WALLS AND CEILINGS AS NEEDED.
REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR PREP AREA AND DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELDS IN FRONT PREP AREA.
NOV 282012FAILED5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
NO HOT WATER AVAILABLE AT ANY SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030 CITATION ISSUED. HOT WATER PROVIDED AT END OF INSPECTION.
OBSERVED SEVERAL FLYING INSECTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS LANDING ON PREP TABLES, NAPKINS, APRONS, ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. REAR DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED 1" GAP ON BOTTOM OF DOOR. SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020 CITATION ISSUED.
FLOORS NEED CLEANING UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR.
SEAL OPENINGS IN CORNER OF WALL IN WASHROOM. SEAL OPENINGS, CRACKS, CREVICES, IN WALLS AND CEILINGS, ALONG BASEBOARDS, AROUND PIPE FITTINGS IN ALL AREAS. PAINT WALLS AND CEILINGS AS NEEDED.
REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR PREP AREA AND DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELDS IN FRONT PREP AREA.
MAR 82010PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.FLOORS WHERE THE WOODEN LOGS ARE STORED NEED SOME CLEANING.
All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER INSIDE REAR REACH IN COOLER.
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 →