Laugh Factory Chicago

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jul 20, 2026 Pass

   Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

2. Jul 9, 2026 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   1 critical1 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed low temperature warewashing machine (not in use) located in the bar area not properly sanitizing. The sanitizing residual concentration was observed at 0ppm at time of inspection. Instructed not to use unit until reinspected by chicago department of health (cdph). Tagged unit. Priority violation #7-38-025.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Noted no metal stem thermometer on site to monitor the internal food temperature of tcs food cooked, delivered and served. Facility must obtain and maintain proper thermometers. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

3. Jun 26, 2026 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

4. Oct 26, 2023 Pass

   Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: 4-301.16 observed no dump sink at the 1st-floor bar (only a hand sink is provided). Must install an additional sink at this bar to accommodate drink dumping and - or rinsing.must provide hot and cold running water at said sink

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

5. Oct 23, 2023 Fail

   Complaint Re-Inspection · Fail

   1 critical1 general Show violations

   • CriticalRepeat violation

     A previously cited serious violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Priority foundation violation not corrected from8-31-2023,report#2581066) #16) 4-601.11(a) we observed ice/food not protected. Interior of the ice machine upper water reservoir, ice bin, and all ice contact sides and interior of the machine with excessive black slime substance dripping down into the ice. Instructed to clean and sanitize the interior of the ice machine throughout. Priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 59)

     Previous priority foundation violation corrected

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no dump sink at the 1st-floor bar (only a hand sink is provided). Must install an additional sink at this bar to accommodate drink dumping and - or rinsing.must provide hot and cold running water at said sink

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

6. Sep 18, 2023 No Entry

   Complaint Re-Inspection · No Entry

   4 critical6 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.14 the person in charge at the time of inspection does not have a city of chicago sanitation certificate. Priority foundation violation. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) no employee health policy/training on site. Instructed facility to establish an appropriate employee health policy/training system and maintain verifiable documents on site. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: 2-501.11 found no procedure/plan and kit for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed facility to develop and maintain a procedure/plan and to maintain any appropriate supplies on site. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(a) we observed ice/food not protected. Interior of the ice machine upper water reservoir, ice bin, and all ice contact sides and interior of the machine with excessive black slime substance dripping down into the ice. Instructed to clean and sanitize the interior of the ice machine throughout. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: 4-301.16 observed no dump sink at the 1st-floor bar (only a hand sink is provided). Must install an additional sink at this bar to accommodate drink dumping and - or rinsing.must provide hot and cold running water at said sink

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: 5-205.15 observed one washroom by the bar area used for storage. Instructed to remove fixtures: toilet and handwashing sink, also must cap all piping, or relocate items

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

     Inspector’s note: 5-403.12 drain hoses attached to pop guns dispensers at bar area draining on floor. Instructed to re-route it to a floor drain

     Official wording (code 52)

     Sewage & waste water properly disposed

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 covered is required at receptacles inside the women's and gender washrooms.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-201.11 the brick wall inside the last stall of the women's washroom on the first floor is not clean. Holes and criveses.repair issue. Surface must be smooth, cleanable, and non-absorbent material

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-201.12 excess black slime and water on the floor under the bar counter on the first floor.clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: 2-101.11 no original and valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate was posted nor provided on site for the present manager on duty. Instructed to provide. At least one certified food manager must be on site when food is handled. Priority foundation: 7-38-012, citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

7. Aug 31, 2023 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   4 critical6 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

     Inspector’s note: The person in charge at the time of inspection does not have a city of chicago sanitation certificate. Priority foundation violation. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: No employee health policy/training on site. Instructed facility to establish an appropriate employee health policy/training system and maintain verifiable documents on site. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Found no procedure/plan and kit for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed facility to develop and maintain a procedure/plan and to maintain any appropriate supplies on site. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: We observed ice/food not protected. Interior of the ice machine upper water reservoir, ice bin, and all ice contact sides and interior of the machine with excessive black slime substance dripping down into the ice. Instructed to clean and sanitize the interior of the ice machine throughout. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no dump sink at 1st floor bar (only a hand sink is provided). Must install an additional sink at this bar to accommodate drink dumping and-or rinsing.must provide hot and cold running water at said sink

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed one washroom by the bar area used for storage. Instructed to remove fixtures: toilet and handwashing sink, also must cap all piping, or relocate items

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

     Inspector’s note: Drain hoses attached to pop guns dispensers at bar area draining on floor. Instructed to re-route it to a floor drain

     Official wording (code 52)

     Sewage & waste water properly disposed

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Covered is required at receptacles inside the women's and gender washrooms.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: The brick wall inside the last stall of the women's washroom on the first floor is not clean. Holes and criveses.repair issue. Surface must be smooth, cleanable, and non-absorbent material

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Excess black slime and water on the floor under the bar counter on the first floor.clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: No original and valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate was posted nor provided on site for the present manager on duty. Instructed to provide. At least one certified food manager must be on site when food is handled. Priority foundation: 7-38-012, citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

8. Aug 16, 2023 No Entry

   Complaint · No Entry

   No violations

9. Dec 20, 2019 No Entry

   Canvass · No Entry

   No violations

10. Dec 19, 2017 Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    5 general Show violations

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

      Inspector’s note: Observed no original city of chicago certified food manager certificates posted. Instructed that a city of chicago certified food manager must be on site at all times potentially hazardous foods are handled, and original certificates must be posted in public view at all times. Serious violation: 7-38-012

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Must replace missing drain line from right soda gun drip tray.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Must clean mineral deposits and darkish stains from upper compartment of ice machine.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Must replace water damaged ceiling tiles in women's 1st floor restroom and 2nd floor hallway.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Observed no dump sink at 1st floor bar (only a hand sink is provided). Must install an additional sink at this bar to accommodate drink dumping and/or rinsing. Observed a coffee maker in side server's room but no hand sink. Must provide a handsink, with hot and cold water under city pressure to serve this food handling area. Alternatively, operator may relocate coffee prep to an area served by a handsink.

11. Dec 13, 2017 No Entry

    Canvass · No Entry

    No violations

12. Nov 27, 2017 No Entry

    Canvass · No Entry

    No violations

13. Nov 17, 2016 No Entry

    Canvass · No Entry

    No violations

14. Nov 1, 2016 No Entry

    Canvass · No Entry

    No violations

15. Sep 24, 2014 Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    1 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Detail clean and maintain the bottom shelf of the refrigerator and the gaskets to remome food debris buildup.

16. Oct 24, 2013 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Found 3 compartment sink not clean.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

      Inspector’s note: Found broken thermometer inside reach in cooler.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Found clutter at main kitchen. Must be decluttered.

17. Feb 21, 2012 Pass

    License Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

      Inspector’s note: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.

18. Feb 16, 2012 Fail

    License · Fail

    3 critical6 general Show violations

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Facilities to maintain proper temperature

      Inspector’s note: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. MUST TURN ON PREP COOLER AND FREEZER AND MAINTAIN COOLER BELOW 40F AND FREEZER BELOW 0F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time

      Inspector’s note: Low temperature dishmachine is not installed at this time. Must maintain chemical sanitizer level at 100ppm chlorine. Critical violation 7-38-030.

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area

      Inspector’s note: Adequate and convenient hand washing facilities shall be provided for all employees. MUST PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AND SOAP AT THE HANDSINK IN THE KITCHEN AND AT THE BAR HANDSINK AND ALL RESTROOMS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED ONSITE. MUST PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY OR A SIGNED CONTRACT FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered

      Inspector’s note: The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance. OBSERVED LID FOR GARBAGE DUMPSTER UNABLE TO BE CLOSED DUE TO A LARGE CABINET PLACED IN THE DUMPSTER. MUST KEEP GARBAGE LID CLOSED AND HAVE ADEQUATE PICKUP SO THAT GARBAGE IS NOT OVERFLOWING ABOVE THE TOP OF THE DUMPSTER. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

      Inspector’s note: A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST PROVIDE ICE BIN COVERS FOR THE BAR ICE BINS.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. OBSERVED WATER LEAKING FROM THE MIDDLE AND RIGHT COMPARTMENTS OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

      Inspector’s note: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.