Chicago
41
BEAT

The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue

8247-8249 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60619 · Chatham · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
41/100

Passed most recently but 2 prior failures on record

Inspections
10
7 passed
Last Inspected
2025-10-16
Pass Rate
70%
2 failures
Score
41/100
BEAT
Passed most recent inspection (2025-10-16)
Failed 2 inspections (2025, 2025)
Employee Hygiene issues found across 8 inspections
Pest Activity issues found across 4 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
Advertisement · 300×250
🧽
Sanitation serious 29×
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
🐀
Pest Activity critical
📌
Other critical
Chemical Safety minor
🌡
Food Temperature minor
📋
Documentation & Training minor
2025-10-16 Pass Complaint Re-Inspection
1
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2025-10-09 Fail Complaint
CRITICAL 11
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA FILLED WITH SOILED CLOTHS AND NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS FROM HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO SOAP AT REAR HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)

minor Food Temperature

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

OBSERVED CHICKEN IMPROPERLY THAWING IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, UNDER REFRIGERATION OR PART OF COOKING PROCESS.

minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN PREP, COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OVER 100 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS, UNDER FRONT COUNTER, BEHIND COOLERS, NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS, 3-COMPARMENT SINK, NEAR WATER HEATER, PIT, ON CUTTING BOARDS, MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT, ON PALLETS A...

minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN SINKS AND ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED ICE BUILDUP INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN SECOND FLOOR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER STORE ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALL FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST CONTROL...

2025-08-11 Pass Complaint Re-Inspection
2
minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2025-08-04 Fail Complaint
CRITICAL 9
critical Other

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES EATING IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEE MEALS OUTSIDE OF PREP AREA.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OVER 100 MICE DROPPINGS ON SHELVING UNITS, MULIT-UUSE EQUIPMENT, PALLETS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AND SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREAS. OBSERVED NUMEROUS FLYING INSECTS LANDING ON WALLS, PREP TABLES, BULK CONTAINERS, SH...

minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED OPENING IN FLOOR AROUND PIPE FITTING IN REAR AND MISSING GROUT ON TILES NEAR FRONT HAND WASHING SINK INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

2025-03-24 Pass Short Form Complaint
5
minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

THE HOT WATER FAUCET IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM LEAKS AT THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.

serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS BY THE PIT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA ARE PITTED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE FLOORS. WALL TILE BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK HAS A CRACK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/REGROUT AND MAINTAIN. -

serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

WALLS BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK WITH GREASE, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS. -FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT, SINKS AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER/FREEZER WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTR...

2025-01-24 Pass Complaint
5
minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

THE HOT WATER FAUCET IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM LEAKS AT THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.

serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS BY THE PIT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA ARE PITTED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE FLOORS. WALL TILE BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK HAS A CRACK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/REGROUT AND MAINTAIN.

serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

WALLS BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK WITH GREASE, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS. -FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT, SINKS AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER/FREEZER WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTR...

2024-05-06 Pass Complaint
4
minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

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. MAINTAIN SAME

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD AND CHARRED DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAIN AND FLOORS.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A CURRENT CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES.

2024-03-06 Pass Short Form Complaint
8
minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED LARGE BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

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. MAINTAIN SAME

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENER.

serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED LARGE GARBAGE CANS BEING USED TO STORE SAUCE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF CANS BY EITHER GETTING A 3-COMPARMENT SINK LARGE ENOUGH TO FULLY SUBMERGE THE CANS. BY USING SMALLER CONTAINERS THAT CAN B...

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE PIT WITH CHARRED FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE PREP AREAS WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE RIGHT FAUCET ON THE 3-COMP. SINK AND A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE 2-COMP. SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA WITH STAINED WALL TILES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TILED WALLS.

2024-01-26 Pass Complaint
8
minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED LARGE BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

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. MAINTAIN SAME.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENER.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE PIT WITH CHARRED FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE PREP AREAS WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE RIGHT FAUCET ON THE 3-COMP. SINK AND A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE 2-COMP. SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA WITH STAINED WALL TILES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TILED WALLS.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER (CFM) ON SITE WITH NO PROOF SHE TOOK THE ALLERGEN TRAINING COURSE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE.

2023-04-04 Pass w/ Conditions License
CRITICAL 6
minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNITS, CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL, INSECT CONTROL DEVICES INSTALLED ABOVE A FOOD PREP TABLES IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE MANAGER TO RELOCATE SAID INSECT CONTROL DEVICE, SO THAT THE DEVICE IS NOT LOCATED OVER ANY FOOD PREPARATION AREAS AND ...

minor Sanitation

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED STYROFOAM CUPS STORED IN THE BULK DRY SPICE CONTAINERS AND SCOOPS WITH THE HANDLE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRY FOOD INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSILS WITH HANDLES AND REFRAIN FROM STORING THE UTENSILS WITH THE HANDLE MAKING CONTA...

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE MICROWAVE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INSIDE OF THE EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID EQUIPMENT MORE FREQUENTLY.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS WITH DEBIRS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOORS OR FREQUENTLY.

minor Plumbing & Waste

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE MEN'S EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND NAINTAIN SAID VENTILATION SYSTEM.

100
Grand Chinese Kitchen
100
Burger King #1303
63
D and M Cafe
71
Kam Chop Suey
18
See Thru Chinese Kitchen

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.