THE BLACK BARREL TAVERN.

Chicago Health Dept

455 W NORTH AVE. · OLD TOWN, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2023.

6 inspections on record since 2022 · Last inspected Oct 2023.

Last inspected Oct 2023. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
VIOLATIONS
30
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
OCT 2023

INSPECTION HISTORY

OCT 27
2023
PASS 1 violation
Minor Sanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

4-501.11: OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKETS ON THE PREP-LINE REACH IN COOLER ACROSS THE STOVE TOP AREA MAKING WHICH DOESN'T ALLOW PREP-LINE COOLER DOORS CLOSE PROPERLY. FACILITY MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 20
2023
FAIL 15 violations 4 CRITICAL
Critical Other
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FACILITY DOES NOT HAVE A POLICY/KIT FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO DISCHARGE OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENTS. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

HAND SOAP NOT PROVIDED AT COOKLINE HAND SINK. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED AT COOKLINE HAND SINK. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE. SEE ABOVE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Sanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED QUAT SANITIZER MEASURED AT 0PPM AT 3COMPARTMENT SINK. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE QUAT SANITIZER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Food Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

MEASURED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING FOODS FOUND IN THE REACH IN PREP-LINE COOLER ACROSS THE STOVE TOP AREA; 3LBS OF RAW CHICKEN MEASURED AT 49.7F, 5LBS OF BEEF MEASURED AT 55.4F, 2LB OF VARIOUS CHEESE MEASURED AT 54.3F, 2LBS OF TOMATO SAUCE MEASURED AT 52.1F, 1LB OF DELI MEAT MEASURED AT 48.5F. APPROXIMATELY 19LBS OF FOOD WAS DISCARDED AT A TOTAL APPROXIMATE COST OF $36. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Other
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE (WITH FOOTNOTE) ON THE ONLINE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (BEEF & EGG ITEMS). INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR PUBLIC VIEW AND ADD A DISCLOSURE (WITH FOOTNOTE) THAT REFERS TO THE REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

REACH IN PREP-LINE COOLER ACROSS THE STOVE TOP AREA IS AT IMPROPER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERAURE MEASURED AT 50F. ALL TCS FOODS IN THE UNIT HAVE BEEN DISCARDED WHILE ON SITE (SEE ABOVE VIOLATION #22). UNIT HAS BEEN TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. FACILITY MUST CONTACT CDPHFOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG TO HAVE STICKER REMOVED BY INSPECTOR IF HELD AT PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Pest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

EXTERIOR SIDE EXIT DOOR HAS OPEN GAPS ON THE BOTTOM WHICH ALLOWS FOR PESTS/INSECTS TO ENTER. EXTERIOR DOORS SHALL BE: SELF-CLOSING, SOLID AND TIGHT FITTING, AND LIMITED TO DESIGNATED USE.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

BOXES OF FOOD STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. FACILITY MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR.

Minor Sanitation
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

CLEAN DISHWARE (CUPS) STORED NEAR BAR DISH MACHINE HAVE NOT BEEN AIR DRIED PROPERLY AFTER SANITIZING. AFTER CLEANING AND SANITZING ALL EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS SHALL BE AIR DRIED BEFORE USE. CLOTH DRYING OF EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IS NOT APPROVED.

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

OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKETS ON THE PREP-LINE REACH IN COOLER ACROSS THE STOVE TOP AREA MAKING WHICH DOESN'T ALLOW PREP-LINE COOLER DOORS CLOSE PROPERLY. FACILITY MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Food Temperature
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

AN IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR/TEST STRIPS IS NOT PROVIDED AND READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR MEASURING THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE FOR THE HOT TEMPERATURE DISHWASHER. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE-SENSATIVE THERMOMETER/TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Facility Condition
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED OUTDOOR DUMPSTERED OVERFILLED WITH LIDS NOT CLOSED AND SECURED PROPERLY. FACILITY MUST ENSURE THAT OUTDOOR DUMPSTERS ARE NOT OVER FILLED AND LIDS ARE SEALED CLOSED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (B) CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Other
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. ALL CITY/PENDING CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION AND PROVIDE ON SITE.

Minor Other
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

OBSERVED CHILDRENS MENU ONLINE AND IN PERSON DOES NOT HAVE HEALTHY DRINK ALTERNATIVES LISTED.

MAY 13
2022
PASS · 0 violations
MAY 5
2022
FAIL 7 violations 3 CRITICAL
Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO SOAP AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS IN ALL 3 BARS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS LOCATED IN BAR NEAR ENTRANCE AND REAR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS LOCATED IN FRONT BAR NEAR ENTRANCE AND REAR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Serious Food Temperature
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN CENTRAL MAIN BAR MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER READING OF 0PPM OF CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF DELVIERING CHEMICAL SANITIZER AT LEVELS BETWEEN 50-100PPM OF CHLORINE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Food Temperature
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR AT LEAST 6 INCHES TO ALLOW FOR CLEANING AND REMOVE FROM PREMISES ANY UNNECESSARY ITEMS.

Minor Other
SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2546471 DATED 1/13/2022. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.

JAN 13
2022
PASS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL
Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS IN BARS, SERVER AREA, PREP AREA, AND 1ST FLOOR TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES INSIDE WOMEN'S, FAMILY, AND EMPLOYEE BATHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

show all 6 inspections →
JAN 11
2022
FAIL 5 violations 2 CRITICAL
Critical Food Temperature
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND SINK IN SERVER AREA MAINTAINING IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 66.5F. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS BETWEEN 100-120F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS IN BARS, SERVER AREA, PREP AREA, AND 1ST FLOOR TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Other
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED BOTH FAUCETS LOOSE AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Sanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES INSIDE WOMEN'S, FAMILY, AND EMPLOYEE BATHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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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