SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

THE MONKEYS PAW.

YOUR CALL. 68/100

2524 N SOUTHPORT AVE · LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected April 7, 2026 · passed

8 of 10 inspections passed, 1 failed, 1 passed with conditions. 4 critical violations across the record.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
10
8 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
44
includes 4 critical
RECORDS COVER
14 YEARS
since Apr 2012

INSPECTION HISTORY

APR 7
2026
PASSED
6 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

INTERIOR DOOR OF THE BASEMENT BEER COOLER WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

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

MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED FOODS IN THE KITCHEN.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

NOTED THE BOTTOM METAL SHELVING OF THE COOKS LINE PREP TABLE WITH EXCESSIVE RUST. MUST REMOVE RUST TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CEILING LIGHT SHIELD AT THE DISH AREA WITH EXCESSIVE DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED MISSING GROUT BETWEEN TILES WITH POOLING LIQUID AROUND THE DISHWASHING AREA IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/REPAIR.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

UNUSED BOX FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.

DEC 24
2020
PASSED
6 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14-OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK AT BAR AREA. MUST PROVIDE.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15-OBSERVED LARGE GAP AT BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE. MUST PROVIDE RODENT PROOF STRIP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PESTS.

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

4-501.12-OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN PREP AREA WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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

4-101.11(B, C, D, E)-OBSERVED CHIPPED ICE SCOOP STORED AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. MUST REPLACE

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13-OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING FRYERS. ALSO OBSERVED GREASE ON WALLS LEFT OF COOKING FRYERS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114-OBSERVED CRATES AND OTHER UNNECESSARY ITEMS BEING STORED OUTSIDE NEAR REAR DOOR. MUST REMOVE AND CLEAN AREA TO PREVENT PESTS HARBORAGE.

DEC 16
2020
FAILED
8 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK AT BAR AREA. MUST PROVIDE.

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER STATEMENT WRITTEN ON MENU FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY (EGGS, BURGERS). MUST PROVIDE AN ASTERIK NEXT TO THE FOOD ITEMS THAT CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. THEN AT THE BOTTOM OF MENU PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT STATING, "THESE FOOD ITEMS ARE COOKED TO ORDER." NEXT, PROVIDE THE REMINDER STATEMENT AT BOTTOM OF MENU STATING, "CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED EGGS, MEATS, POULTRY OR SEAFOOD MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED LARGE GAP AT BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE. MUST PROVIDE RODENT PROOF STRIP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PESTS.

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

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN PREP AREA WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED CHIPPED ICE SCOOP STORED AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. MUST REPLACE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKING FRYERS. ALSO OBSERVED GREASE ON WALLS LEFT OF COOKING FRYERS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CRATES AND OTHER UNNECESSARY ITEMS BEING STORED OUTSIDE NEAR REAR DOOR. MUST REMOVE AND CLEAN AREA TO PREVENT PESTS HARBORAGE.

MINORDocumentation & Training
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 1/25/2019, REPORT #2253150. #58-OBSERVED ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-42-090.

JAN 25
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

FOUND LOW TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINE NOT SANITIZING AT FINAL RINSE, 0PPM OBTAINED ON CHLORINE TEST STRIPS, MACHINE WAS BEING USED DURING INSPECTION. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REACH 100 PPM LEVEL FOR CHLORINE SANITIZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROPER SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION# 7-38-025 CATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED READY TO EAT/TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS, ASSORTED SHREDDED CHEESE, DRESSINGS, SLICED RADISH, ETC. STORED IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS, OVER NIGHT, WITHOUT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INFORMED MANAGER THAT TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS STORED FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE PROPER LABEL AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24HOURS. MANAGER CORRECTED VIOLATION DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE/REMINDER INDICATED ON MENU OF RAW/UNDER COOKED FOODS, FOR CUSTOMER VIEW. INFORMED MANAGER THAT THE DISCLOSURE/REMINDER STATEMENT AND INDICATOR MUST BE IN PLAIN VIEW OF THE CUSTOMER, INDICATED ON MENU OF RAW/UNDER COOKED FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY SIGNAGE, DISCLOSURE/REMINDER INDICATED. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION # 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CRACKS AND CREVICES THROUGHOUT FLOORING-GROUTING IN DISH WASHING AREA COOK/PREP AREA. INFORMED MANAGER THAT SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RE GROUT AREA AND ENSURE SURFACE IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED NO WORKING SINK STOPPERS AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS AT SAID AREA. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT FIXTURE ABOVE COOK LINE/PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

PA 100-0367- OBSERVED ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATES. NO CITATION ISSUED.

JUL 24
2017
PASSED
5 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST REPAIR/REPLACE BROKEN DOOR GASKET ON 3-DOOR PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS, DARK BLACK GROOVE PRESENT. ADJUST THRESHOLD AT FRONT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL.

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

MUST CLEAN CALCIUM BUILD UP FROM THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF THE ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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

MUST RE-GROUT FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREP AREA. CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM CORNERS IN WAIT STATION. CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOORS BEHIND BAR. CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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

MUST CLEAN SPIDER WEBS FROM WALLS IN WAIT STATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

INSTALL SPLASH GUARD ON EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

show all 10 inspections →
JUN 30
2016
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

OBSERVED CUPS PRESET ON THE DINING TABLES DRINKING SIDE UP. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CUPS INVERTED WHEN PRESET ON DINING TABLES.

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

OBSERVED FROST BUILD UP IN THE BASEMENT CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS ON THE POTATO SLICER. OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF WHITE MINERAL STAINS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ICE SCOOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 8
2015
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR SIDES OF THE DEEP FRYER WITH GREASE BUILD-UP, INTERIOR DOOR OF THE DEEP FRYER WITH GREASE ACCUMULATED, FOOD CART INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER WITH FOODS CRUMBS, AND MAINTAIN.

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

HOOD ABOVE THE DISH MACHINE WITH GREASE BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORDocumentation & Training
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF THE FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE NEXT ROUTINE INSPECTION.

AUG 7
2014
PASSED
5 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

ALL CLEAN UTENSILS, POTS,PANS, FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED UPSIDE DOWN/INVERTED.

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

MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE EXTERIOR SIDES OF THE STOVE,INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE, BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE TABLE BEHIND THE BAR CLOSE TO THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND MAINTAIN.

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

MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER OF THE FLOOR DRAIN IN THE BASEMENT. MUST PROVIDE FLOOR DRAIN COVER.

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

ALL PIPES CONNECTING TO THE HOOD WITH GREASE ACCUMULATED. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

MUST CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELD ON THE HOOD(WITH GREASE BUILD -UP). LIGHT BULB INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT MUST BE SHIELDED. OR REPLACE LIGHT BULB WITH SHATERRED PROOFED LIGHT BULB. MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB ON THE HOOD IN THE KITCHEN.

OCT 3
2013
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF COOLERS IN FRONT BAR.

APR 12
2012
PASSED
0 violations

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 →

NEARBY IN LINCOLN PARK