Chicago
23
BEAT

Little Joe'S Circle Lounge Inc

1041 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607 · West Loop · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
23/100

Passed most recently but 3 prior failures on record

Inspections
11
5 passed
Last Inspected
2026-01-29
Pass Rate
45%
3 failures
Score
23/100
BEAT
Passed most recent inspection (2026-01-29)
Failed 3 inspections (2026, 2025, 2024)
Sanitation issues found across 22 inspections
Pest Activity issues found across 7 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation critical 22×
🐀
Pest Activity critical
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
📌
Other minor
🌡
Food Temperature minor
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
2026-01-29 Pass Complaint Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 2
critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15 REAR DOOR NOT PROTECTED, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP NOTED ON BOTTOM, INBETWEEN AND TOP OF DOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME SO AS TO BE TIGHT FITTING AND PROTECTED

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12: EXCESSIVE MOUND OF GREASE BEHIND FRYERS IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN FLOOR CLEAN.

2026-01-22 Fail Complaint
CRITICAL 5
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE WITH EXCESSIVE BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTD TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE MACHINE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY FOUNDATION

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

REAR DOOR NOT PROTECTED, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP NOTED ON BOTTOM, INBETWEEN AND TOP OF DOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME SO AS TO BE TIGHT FITTING AND PROTECTED

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OVER 100 RAT DROPPINGS NOTED ON BASEMENT FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA. EXCESSIVE CLUTTER IN SAME AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, REMOVE CLUTTER, ORGANIZE AND CLEAN/SANITIZE AREA. RECOMMEND ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. CI...

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

EXCESSIVE MOUND OF GREASE BEHIND FRYERS IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN FLOOR CLEAN.

2025-07-10 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 4
critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

2-101.11 OBSERVED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ONSITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIO...

minor Sanitation

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

4-202.16 OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FOOD STORAGE RACKS IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12 OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS, AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE, AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS, AND IN...

critical Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.11 OBSERVED MULTIPLE OPENINGS IN THE FLOOR AND WALL JUNCTURES IN THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE CONSITIONS.

2025-04-24 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE REAR EXIT DOOR OF THE STORAGE AREA AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT ...

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FOOD STORAGE RACKS IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS, AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, STORAGE, AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS, AND IN ALL CORNE...

2024-02-23 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2024-02-16 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 6
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED MISSING HADWASH SIGNAGE IN BOTH RESTROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE REAR EXIT DOOR OF THE STORAGE AREA AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT...

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAK AT FAUCET OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

2023-01-27 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE USING A PLASTIC GLOVE TO PLUG A DRAIN INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST DISCONTINUE USE OF PLASTIC AND PROVIDE APPROVED DRAIN PLUGS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDERNEATH THE BAR EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT AND ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION, DETAIL CLEAN AREA, AND STORE ALL REMAINING ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

2022-02-03 Pass w/ Conditions Complaint
CRITICAL 7
critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE WITH AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLA...

critical Documentation & Training

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

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED WATER SPRAYING FROM FAUCET HEAD AT HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN WHEN WATER IS RUNNING. MUST REPAIR.

minor Sanitation

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP ON SITE. ALL SINKS IN WHICH FOOD, UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT ARE WASHED MUST BE CONNECTED TO A CATCH BASIN OR BE EQUIPPED WITH AN APPROVED GREASE TRAP.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

minor Other

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION ON 10/22/2020, REPORT #2453715. INSTRUCTED TO POST RECENT SUMMARY REPORT VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.

2020-10-22 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 9
critical Documentation & Training

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

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL ...

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND NO UTILITY (MOP) SINK ON PREMISES; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND A BACKFLOW DEVICE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF WASTE WATER.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED GARBAGE RECEPTACLES FOR WASHROOMS.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

INSTRUCTED THAT TOILET ROOM DOORS MUST BE SELF CLOSING. PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICES FOR TOILET ROOM DOORS. ALSO PROVIDE SIGNS IDENTIFYING WASHROOMS.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED TWO HOLES IN THE CONCRETE FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA; INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES IN THE FLOOR.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A FLOOR DRAIN COVER FOR THE FLOOR DRAIN IN THE BASEMENT BETWEEN THE STAIRS AND STORAGE ROOM.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA BY REMOVING UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO AVOID CLUTTER.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

2013-12-13 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYER TO REMOVE GREASE NOTED. CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE BEHIND BAR AND MAINTAIN. CLEAN VENTS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN.

minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN AND UNDER BAR AREA.

2010-11-16 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

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

All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. The ice machine has a dirty interior buildup which needs to be sanitized and maintained regularly. Clean the reac...

minor Sanitation

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

The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
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