UNCLE BEN'S GRILL.
456 N DAMEN AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO
Failed 2 of 6 inspections. 6 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
AUG 52025PASSED1 violationDETAILS
6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
JUL 292025FAILED5 violationsDETAILS
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)
3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
3-304.12 : MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
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)
6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
JUL 252025FAILED9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
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)
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)
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)
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)
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES BY EMPLOYEES.
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)
OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
NOV 62024PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
CLEAN THE STORAGE SHELVES UNDER THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
REPAIR THE FLOORING ABOVE THE TOP STEP TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA IN FRONT OF THE ICE MACHINE.
CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.
DEC 62023PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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.
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
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 302022PASSED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 →