Highway House

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Aug 11, 2025 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   1 critical Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed black dirt build up inside ice machine dripping into ice, ice used for human consumption. Instructed manager must clean interior of ice machine and maintain. Priority foundation 7-38-005. All ice inside ice machine voluntarily discarded.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

2. Mar 19, 2025 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build of food debris on wall mounted potato cutter in basement prep area. Instructed to clean and maintain in good condition.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed 1 food handler card on site is expired. Instructed all employees must complete food handler training and maintain records thereof on site at all times.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

3. Mar 28, 2024 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   6 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Noted assorted food items inside refrigeration units not properly labeled. Instructed to properly label all food items with product name including bulk food containers.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Missing ice bin covers at front bar ice bin. Must provide and maintain ice bin covers.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Noted serving plates on shelves at the kitchen prep area not properly stored. Instructed to invert all serving plates to prevent dust accumulation.

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain shelves and floors inside he service prep cooler by the prep sink with sticky spills, food debris and dirt.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Noted sprayer at the 3 compartment sink hanging below the rim of the sink at the dish washing area. Instructed to provide the device to hold the sprayer above the water rim of the 3 compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Noted dirt and grease accumulation inside, on pipes/conduits and on edges of the exhaust hood and filters above cooking equipment. Instructed to detail clean and maintain hood, filters and pipes/conduits.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

4. Oct 17, 2023 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

5. Oct 4, 2023 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Low temperature dishmachine not maintained, sanitizing at 0 ppm chlorine. Instructed manager low temperature dishmachine must sanitize between 50 ppm and 100 ppm chlorine. Must temporarily wash, rinse and sanitize all multi-use utensils in 3-compartment sink. Priority violation 7-38-025. Dishmachine tagged by cdph at this time.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Ice scoop improperly stored on top of ice machine. Instructed manager must provide a clean container for ice scoop.

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease/food build up on ventilation hood. Must clean ventilation hood and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Front prep area handwash sink pipe leaking. Must repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

6. Aug 10, 2022 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Obsrerved no visible back flow prevention device on water intake line for ice machine. Be able to point out back flow device to inspector.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no current food handler certificates. All food handlers must have an ansi approved food handler certicate within 30 days of hire.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no proof of allergen training. All city of chicago certified food managers must have proof of allergen training.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

7. Aug 11, 2021 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 critical2 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: 4-602.11(b-e) observed pink mineral build up inside of ice machine in basement. Must detail clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: 4-501.12 observed cutting board in main prep area with dark stains and deep grooves. Must detail clean.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: 6-303.11 observed burnt out light at ventilation hood in main prep area. Must replace with working light bulb.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

8. Jul 28, 2021 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   4 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed low temperature dish machine in basement not properly sanitizing. Sanitizer level is reading 00 ppm. Sanitizer level must read at least 50 ppm to properly sanitize equipment and utensils. Priority violation. 7-38-025. Machine is tagged and held for inspection.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed pink mineral build up inside of ice machine in basement. Must detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed raw chicken at improper cold holding temperature at 55.8f in prep cooler. Also observed the following tcs food items at improper cold holding temperature in prep cooler. Raw steak found at 47.1f, raw shrimp found at 46.4f, diced tomatoes found at 45.9f, raw chicken wings found at 46.7f, raw fish found at 43.5f. Observed the following tcs food items at improper cold holding temperature inside of walk in cooler in basement. Raw chicken found at 53.6f, raw ground beef found at 51.3f, shelled eggs found at 46.3f, heavy whipped cream (prairie farms) found at 45.1f. Instructed manager proper cold holding temperature for tcs food items must be at 41.0f or below. Food is discarded and denatured. All food weighing approximately 300 lbs at a cost of $400.00. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper ambient temperature inside of prep cooler at 44.6f. Observed improper ambient temperature inside of walk in cooler in basement at 46.7f. Also observed improper ambient temperature inside of refrigerator at 46.2f. Proper ambient temperature inside of a cold holding unit must be at 41.0f or below. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 33)

     Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed cutting board in main prep area with dark stains and deep grooves. Must detail clean.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed burnt out light at ventilation hood in main prep area. Must replace with working light bulb.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkFood handling

     The inspection summary report wasn’t posted for the public.

     Inspector’s note: Observed summary report not posted from last inspection on 6/5/2019, report #2290919. Instructed to post recent summary report visible to the public. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-010(b).

     Official wording (code 61)

     Summary report displayed and visible to the public

9. Jun 5, 2019 Conditional

   License · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Vomit and diarrhea clean-up policy/procedure in place but in-complete kit supplies. Must provide and maintain necessary cleaning items(face masks,disposable mops,appropriate sanitizer).priority foundation violation, 7-38-005,no citation issued.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide proper, raised shelving in newly installed outside storage shed to elevate boxed napkins/cups/paper supplies etc. Must be elevated at least 6" off floor and to maintain.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no back flow prevention device at water line for ice machine in basement area.instructed to install a visible back flow prevention device for mentioned area.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed (southbend) convention oven in basement prep/dish washing area must be under ventilation, when the equipment is more than 7.5 kilowatts.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

10. May 14, 2019 Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations