Recess
838 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60642
Restaurant ZIP 60642 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Sep 9, 2026
Recess was last inspected on September 9, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 4 violations, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
September 9, 2026 · Complaint Re-Inspection
Result: Pass
4 general-
GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: 6-202.15 observed all exit doors of facility and outdoor bar located inside container with at least 1/4th inch gap between floor and doors. Instructed to provide rodent proof door and protect outer openings.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: 3-307.11 observed outside bar and hall bar handsinks in need of smooth and easily cleanable splashguard. Instructed to install in order to prevent possible contamination of prepared drinks and or glassware.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 5-205.15 observed 3rd handsink inoperable in womens restroom. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.
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: 6-201.11 observed grey floors in container bar not smooth and easily cleanable with water and organic debris pooling in said spaces. Instructed to provide and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspection history
10 inspections on record
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Fail
Complaint · Fail
2 critical6 general Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Observed 4 low temperature dish machines located in prep and all bars not properly sanitizing during time of inspection. Noted sanitizer strength between 0-5ppm. Instructed to provide sanitizing strength on said equipment between 50-100ppm and maintain. Priority violation. #7-38-025. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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CriticalFood temperature
Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.
Inspector’s note: Observed 2 door cooling unit with cold hold attached located in prep area across from grill and fryers @55f during time of inspection. Instructed to repair unit to 41f and below as required. Priority violation. #7-38-005.unit tagged and held for inspection.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed 30 small live flies, and 4 large live flies flying throughout prep on wall near walk in cooler, all bars prep areas in sink basins, on liquor wells and equipment, in storage space in hall where handsink is located and on surfaces of speed racks. Instructed to eliminate fly activity on premise and maintain as required. Pri0rity foundation violation. #7-38-020 (a). Citation issued.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed all exit doors of facility and outdoor bar located inside container with at least 1/4th inch gap between floor and doors. Instructed to provide rodent proof door and protect outer openings.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed outside bar and hall bar handsinks in need of smooth and easily cleanable splashguard. Instructed to install in order to prevent possible contamination of prepared drinks and or glassware.
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 all exterior surfaces (cooling units, cabinets, shelving) in main bar in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove all dried food debris in order to prevent pest harborage.
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: Observed 3rd handsink inoperable in womens restroom. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.
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 grey floors in container bar not smooth and easily cleanable with water and organic debris pooling in said spaces. Instructed to provide and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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No Entry
Complaint · No Entry
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
-
No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
-
Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Clean the exterior of the low temperature dish machine behind the main bar and sanitize the ice bins at the outdoor patio bar.
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: Clean the floor under the main bar and outside patio bar.
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 ventilation fan in the single washroom. Management instructed to install.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
2 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed the following tcs items in 2 drawer prep cooler and walk-in cooler stored at the stated improper temperatures: pork at 47.5f, hamburgers at 46.0f, chicken at 46.1f, and chicken wings at 48.9f. Management voluntarily discarded approximately 60 lbs of product valued at approximately $400. Instructed to maintain tcs items at or below 41f. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
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CriticalFood temperature
Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.
Inspector’s note: Observed 2 drawer prep cooler containing tcs items such as pork and hamburgers maintaining an improper ambient temperature of 49.1f. Cooler tagged and held for inspection. Instructed to maintain all coolers containing tcs itesm at or below 41f at all times. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no covered trash receptacle inside ada compliant all gender toilet room. Instructed to provide.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed all dumpsters in the alley overflowing with garbage and unable to have lids shut. Instructed to correct and maintain dumpsters so that lids can shut and close tightly. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(b). Citation issued.
Official wording (code 54)
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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Conditional
License · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.
Inspector’s note: No employee health policy onsite. Instructed to provide the city's health form or similar documents used to demonstrate compliance. Priority foundation 7-38-010. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must clean construction dust from floors throughout premises, instructed to maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must install coving to lower walls throughout 2nd floor storage areas, instructed to maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: Food handler requirements not met. Information provided.
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
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More in ZIP 60642
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 8 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.