SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

UNCLE BEN'S GRILL.

BEAT. 34/100

456 N DAMEN AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected August 5, 2025 · passed

Failed 2 of 6 inspections. 6 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
2 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
34
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Mar 2022

INSPECTION HISTORY

AUG 5
2025
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

JUL 29
2025
FAILED
5 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

3-603.11 : OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER ON MENU BOARD AND ALL ITEMS ASTERISKED ON TABLE MENU OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MUST CORRECT, PROVIDE, AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)

MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

3-304.12 : MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.

MINOROther
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

5-501.15 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE ON LID, CONTAINER WIDE OPEN WITH A BUCKET TURNED UPSIDE DOWN ON TOP OF IT AND PANS OF GREASE ON GROUND NEXT TO IT. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD-UP CLOSE LID AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED)

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

JUL 25
2025
FAILED
9 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLERS. OBSERVED FEMALE FOOD HANDLER RINGING THE REGISTER, TURNED AROUND, PUT ON PLASTIC GLOVES, PUT BREAD INTO THE TOASTER, AND REMOVED TOAST. THE SAME FEMALE WAS PULLING HER SLEEVES UP HER ARM WITH PLASTIC GLOVES ON AND HANDLING BREAD & TOAST AGAIN. ALSO A MALE FOOD HANDLER TOOK A MOP TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND THEN CAME BACK TO ASSIST A CUSTOMER AND GOT A CUP OF COFFEE WITHOUT WASHING HANDS. MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 3LBS. COOKED CHIRIZO-60.0F.2LBS. COOKED SAUSAGE-70.0F-75.0F.5LBS. ITALIAN BEEF-50.0F.6CS. 30 DOZ. RAW SHELLED EGGS-58.0F-60.0F.30LBS. COOKED POTATO-60.0F.INSIDE OF BOTH GLASS REACHES IN COOLERS. THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0°F OR BELOW.APPX. 310 LBS.$454.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER ON MENU BOARD AND ALL ITEMS ASTERISKED ON TABLE MENU OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MUST CORRECT, PROVIDE, AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)

MINORFood Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF FRONT AND REAR GLASS 2-DOOR GLASS REACHING COOLERS AT 60.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNITS. ONCE REPAIRED.EMAIL: FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
GLOVES USED PROPERLY

OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES BY EMPLOYEES.

MINOROther
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE ON LID, CONTAINER WIDE OPEN WITH A BUCKET TURNED UPSIDE DOWN ON TOP OF IT AND PANS OF GREASE ON GROUND NEXT TO IT. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD-UP CLOSE LID AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED)

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

NOV 6
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALFood Storage & Handling
NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE TOUCHING READY-TO-EAT FOOD (PANCAKES, BREAD, ETC.) WITH THEIR BARE HANDS AFTER TAKING IT OFF OF THE GRILL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT NO BARE HAND CONTACT IS ALLOWED WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

CLEAN THE STORAGE SHELVES UNDER THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

REPAIR THE FLOORING ABOVE THE TOP STEP TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA IN FRONT OF THE ICE MACHINE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.

DEC 6
2023
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
8 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALFood Temperature
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT EMPLOYEE BATHROOM HANDWASHING SINK AND THE PREP AREA. TEMPERATURE OF WATER WAS 74.5F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). HOT WATER WAS ABLE TO BE RESTORED TO 106.5F AFTER I WAS DONE WITH INSPECTION.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (SUGAR, OATMEAL) LOCATED IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

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

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, DUST, GREASE, FOOD SPLATTER AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS AND FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HOT FOOD SERVICE LINE UNDER AND AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

NOTED EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS ON SHELVES AT THE DRY STORAGE AREA WITH FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO STORE THEIR BELONGINGS.

show all 6 inspections →
MAR 30
2022
PASSED
5 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (SUGAR) LOCATED IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.

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

OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER NEAR THE GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. ALSO, OBSERVED TAPE BEING USED ON THE GASKETS ON THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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

OBSERVED FROZEN BEEF PATTIES STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE ONE DOOR FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.

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

OBSERVED THE MICROWAVE TO HAVE FOOD SPLASH AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 WICKER PARK