The Second City
1608-1616 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614
Restaurant ZIP 60614 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of May 14, 2026
The Second City was last inspected on May 14, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 4 violations.
Latest inspection
May 14, 2026 · Complaint
Result: Pass
4 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed standing water on floor underneath 3 compartment sink. Instructed to correct and maintain in good condiiton.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed heavy build up of food debris and grime on exterior of high temperature dish machine. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed 1 missing lightbulb in hood over cook line. Instructed to correct and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed build up of dust on ceiling above high temperature dish machine. Instructed to celan and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspection history
10 inspections on record
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Pass
Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 5-205.15--observed the 3 compartment sink both faucets of the 3rd floor/ up kitchen 3 compartment sink to be leaking heavily even when the water is not turned on to use. Instructed manager to service both faucets at the 3 comp sink and maintain in good repair.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: 6-202.14--observed no self closing doors on both men and womens bathrooms in 2nd floor on east side of building near entrance from wells. Instructed to provide self closing doors for both.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 6-501.12--observed floor drain below 3 compartment sink in 3rd floor back bar to be heavily soiled. Observed heavy debris and trash build up behind hot water heater of upstairs bar prep area. Instructed manager to detail clean all floors and maintain free of excessive trash and debris build up.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical4 general Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Observed the high temperature dish machine in the 3rd floor back bar dish area with a final sanitizing rinse temperature of 113f at time of inspection. Machine was not in use at time of inspection. Instructed to service to maintain appropriate sanitizing final rinse temperture of at least 165f. Dish machine tagged and held for inspection at this time. Instructed not to use until equipment is able to maintain final rinse temperature of 165f and reinspected by cdph. Priority violation, 7-38-025.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Observed missing thermometer in 2 door reach in cooler in 2nd floor main kitchen/prep area by 1959 bar. Instructed manager to provide thermometer to measure ambient internal air temperture. Provided at time of inspection.
Official wording (code 36)
Thermometers provided & accurate
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed the 3 compartment sink both faucets of the 3rd floor/ up kitchen 3 compartment sink to be leaking heavily even when the water is not turned on to use. Instructed manager to service both faucets at the 3 comp sink and maintain in good repair.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no self closing doors on both men and womens bathrooms in 2nd floor on east side of building near entrance from wells. Instructed to provide self closing doors for both.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed floor drain below 3 compartment sink in 3rd floor back bar to be heavily soiled. Observed heavy debris and trash build up behind hot water heater of upstairs bar prep area. Instructed manager to detail clean all floors and maintain free of excessive trash and debris build up.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical3 general Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Noted interior of ice bin behind bar in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove ice, clean and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Noted 2 upper swing door with bottom 2 door refrigerator in kitchen at improper temperature. Tcs foods garlic aioli 46, polishes 52.1 approx. 12 lbs valued at $163. Priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Noted cutting board at cooks line with deep cuts and stains. Instructed to restore to a smooth cleanable surface or replace.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Noted compartment underneath fryer in kitchen with grease build up and food debris. Instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Noted clutter and unnecessary items in dry storage room across the kitchen, stored in between the wall and carbon dioxide tank behind bar and in room with hot water heater in the upstairs prep area. Instructed to remove all unnecessary items. Any kept items should be stored on smooth cleanable shelves a minimum of 6 inches from the ground.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Must not use milk crates as a means of elevation for stored items.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Delime and clean all interior surfaces of the dish machine, also clean interior of the deep fryers, stoves etc.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Grease on floor in the kitchen under and behind cooking equipment. Clean and maintain
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Closed
Canvass · Out of Business
The inspector found this business closed.
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
3 critical10 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signage at hand sinks in the following areas: -shared customer/employee restrooms instructed manager to provide hand washing signage at said areas.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalFood temperature
Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.
Inspector’s note: As of inspection date 04/11/19, observed ready to eat/time and temperature control for safety foods, *1.5lbs of hummus sauce, at $5.00: 04/01/19 *7lbs of cooked spinach risotto, at $10.00: 04/02/19 *5lbs of mariana sauce, at $12.00: 04/04/19 *4lbs of spicy aioli sauce, at $8.00: 03/26/19 *2lbs of ranch dressing, at $8.00: 03/26/19 stored in cold holding units, with other foods, past appropriately marked dates. Informed manager that date marked ready to eat/time and temperature control for safety foods shall be discarded or held in a designated/separate storage area, if still in storage after 7 days of production/ discard or consumption date. Instructed manager to discard or separate ready to eat/time and temperature control for safety foods which exceeds appropriately marked date of production/ discarded or consumption dates. Manager voluntarily discarded and denatured 19.5lbs, $43.00…
Official wording (code 23)
Proper date marking and disposition
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CriticalFood handling
No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.
Inspector’s note: 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.
Official wording (code 25)
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard on left side and right side of hand washing sinks at both back bar areas, adjacent to ice bin and drain board areas. Instructed manager to install splash guard at said area. Maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard on left side and right side of hand washing sinks at front bar area, adjacent to ice bin and drain board areas. Instructed manager to install splash guard at said area. Maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed grease/dust build on exterior surface of hood filters above cook line area. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed black mold like substance embedded in caulk line at back splash area of 3 compartment sink. Instructed manager to re caulk and ensure surface is smooth and easily cleanable. Maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Unable to identify back flow preventer/vacuum breaker device on ice machine in storage area. Instructed manager to identify and or install. Maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed slow drain at hand washing sink, adjacent to dish area. Instructed manager to repair and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed water leaking from water inlet line, underneath dish washing machine area. Instructed manager to repair and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed back bar counter liquid waste drainage tube, conveyed/directed to discharge into:dump sink, at time of inspection. Informed manager that liquid waste drainage tube at bar areas must directed/conveyed to discharge into floor/plumbing drain underneath said equipment. Instructed manager to re direct/convey liquid waste drainage tube to discharge to floor plumbing drain on floor underneath equipment. Maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 52)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed broken twist value stopper, at 3 compartment sink area. Instructed manager to repair and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed no light bulb/fixture above ice machine closet area, adjacent to front bar. Instructed manager to install bulb/fixture in said area. Maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed allergen awareness certificate not maintained. Instructed manager to obtain allergen awareness certificates.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
5 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector’s note: Observed a few items not properly labeled inside 2-door cooler in rear food sorage area. Must label items with product name prepared by date and/or used by date.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Observed dust build up ventilation fans inside 2-door reach in cooler in food storage area. Must clean and maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Observed dirt and debris on floor behind and next to cooking equipment in kitchen food prep area. Must clean and maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Observed openings into ceiling around pipes above 2-door vegetable cooler. Must seal and maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoops stored on top of ice bins in front bar area. Must proporly store ice scoops in a clean container to prevent contamination.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must discontinue use of milk and soda crates as storage racks in prep areas. Also, remove rust build up on grease trap under 3-comp sink, surface must be smooth and easily cleanable.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Must clean interior contact surfaces in the 1-door reach in freezer in and prep coolers in the prep area. Also, the exterior contact surface of the ice machine has calcium build up. Instructed to maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Must clean floors behind the front bar, and floors in the back hallway behind door 59. Instructed to maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Must repair peeling paint on side walls next to the front bar. Instructed to maintain.
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Pass
License · Pass
7 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARDS AT HAND SINKS IN PREP AREA AND BAR AREA,SINgS ON MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TOILETROOM DOORS.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Must clean interior panel and exterior of ice machine
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Must clean debri from floor under and behind cooking equipment and bar area.must seal gap in between floor and wallbase in hot water tank area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Must seal gaps in wallbases in kitchen next to equipment,hot water tank room,storage area,openings in brick wall next to kitchen,opening around pipe in men's toiletroom under hand sink.must repair or replace door closure on women's toiletroom,motor exposed above dish draiboard in dish washing area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: Must provide adequate lighting in rear refrigerator area of bar area
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector’s note: Must provide hooks to hang wet mops
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food handler requirements met
Inspector’s note: Idph food handler requirements not met.must enroll and maintain
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More in ZIP 60614
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.