Joe's Grill

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Apr 3, 2026 Pass

   Complaint · Pass

   1 critical3 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: No hands washing sign in women's restroom. Instructed to post.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Fly trap mounted on food shelves, instructed to keep away from food storage.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Spoon for rice stored in standing water, instructed to keep according to Food code, ie.

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Employees clothing placed on top of food containers/ shelves. Live Pottery plants placed in prep kitchen, instructed to remove form food production area.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: No allergen training certificate for food service manager, instructed to obtain.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

2. Jan 21, 2026 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 critical3 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: No hands washing sign in women's restroom. Instructed to post.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Bulk food container not labeled ( flour ) instructed to label.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Fly trap mounted on food shelves, instructed to keep away from food storage.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Spoon for rice stored in standing water, instructed to keep according to Food code, ie.

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: No allergen training certificate for food service manager, instructed to obtain.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

3. May 19, 2025 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled green wiping clothes stored on prep tables throughout prep areas. Instructed to store inside sanitizer bucket with solution at least 50 ppm while not in use.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

4. May 12, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   3 critical2 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.

     Inspector’s note: Observed employee wash hands inside 2 compartment sink used for food prep after placing soiled dishes into wash basin of 3 compartment sink located in rear prep area. Instructed wash hands properly at handashing sinks only as required byu code. Must maintain. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-010. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 8)

     Hands clean & properly washed

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Staff touched ready-to-eat food with bare hands.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food employee peel 2 hard boiled eggs with bare hands, place eggs inside white bowl and placed on prep table to be served to customer. Instructed pic that food bare hand contact with ready to eat foods are prohibited while operating. Instructed to maintain. Pic voluntarily discarded eggs at this time. Priority violation. #7-38-010. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 9)

     No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand sink available in (in use) rear prep/dish washing area during time of inspection. Instructed to provide accessible handsink for employees. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-030 (c). No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

     Inspector’s note: Observed frozen beef and chicken stored inside large ziplock bags on prep table in rear prep area thawing improperly. Instructed to thaw under running water or under refrigeration. Must maintain

     Official wording (code 35)

     Approved thawing methods used

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled green wiping clothes stored on prep tables throughout prep areas. Instructed to store inside sanitizer bucket with solution at least 50 ppm while not in use.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

5. Mar 7, 2024 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   2 critical9 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Staff were eating, drinking, or smoking where food is prepared.

     Inspector’s note: Observed personal food items stored inside the walk-in cooler. Instructed manager to place food in designated area and label away from food that is consumed by customers. Employees shall eat and drink only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food cannot result.

     Official wording (code 6)

     Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing sign at the hand sink located behind the waitress counter. Instructed to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no label for the bulk storage container (sugar) located behind the front counter where the coffee is stored. The instructed person in charge of all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with the contents' names.

     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: Observed a bag of carrots stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Instructed manager to properly store and protect food items from contamination while stored by elevating at least six inches from the floor on raised shelving units.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food handler cooking and prepping food without hair restraint. Instructed person in charge that all food handlers must wear a hair restraint.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed frozen chicken stored in plastic grocery bags in the walk-in freezer. Management instructed to use proper food-grade storage bags and containers only.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed the interior of the microwave to have food splash and debris. Instructed to clean and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed raw wood stairs leading to the basement area. Instructed to seal or paint to provide a smooth and easily cleanable surface.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed an excessive amount of debris and ice buildup on the floor/walls/ceiling of the walk-in freezer. Must remove excess ice, detail clean, and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed mop in a position that does not allow it to dry properly and prevent pest harborage. Must store mop after use in a mounted position that allows for air-drying without soiling and pest harboraging.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed water-stained ceiling tiles in the employee toilet room, public women toilet room, and hallway of the kitchen area. Instructed to replace the stained ceiling tiles and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no proof of training for all food handlers. Instructed to provide and maintain records at all times.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed one out of two city of chicago food certified managers with no proof of allergen training certificate. Instructed all city of chicago certified food managers obtain this certificate.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

6. Jun 5, 2023 Pass

   License · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed missing backflow preventer device on the newly installed ice machine in the front counter area. Instructed to install to ensure device can be located, serviced, and maintained.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed beverage service line without a prep sink. Informed manager that a minimum of one sink used for food preparation is required in any food preparation area. Instructed to install and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacles for feminine hygiene products inside of unisex/ staff toilet room and womens restroom. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

7. May 12, 2023 Not Ready

   License · Not Ready

   No violations