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PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

JERK YARD Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

JERK YARD 1310 E 53RD ST, CHICAGO 60615 Restaurant
September 29, 2025 Complaint Re-Inspection License #2966394
12
Total Violations
3
Critical
3
Major
6
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

12
Violation #1
CRITICAL
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.
The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.
Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.
Violation #2
CRITICAL
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: 1.11 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITAITON MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.
Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.
Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 1/4" GAP AT BOTTOM OF FRONT AND REAR DOORS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOORS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.
No pests or animals allowed in facility.
No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.
Violation #39
MAJOR
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD ON LEFT SIDE OF REAR HAND WASHING SINK NEAR PREP SINK. INSRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.
Prevent contamination during all food handling.
Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.
Violation #40
MINOR
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.
Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.
Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.
Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.
Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF SHELVING UNITS, HOLDING UNITS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, ROLLING CARTS, COOLERS, FREEZER INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALLS AND FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING VENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN FRONT COUNTER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PESY HARBORAGE
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #56
MINOR
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.
Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.
Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.
Smoking prohibited in food establishments.
No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.
Smoking prohibited in food establishments.
No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections