⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

THE BLACK BARREL TAVERN Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

THE BLACK BARREL TAVERN 1061 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO 60607 Restaurant
February 27, 2023 Complaint License #2631807
10
Total Violations
6
Critical
2
Major
2
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

10
Violation #2
CRITICAL
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS HAMBURGERS WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE BAR, ON THE COOK LINE, AND IN THE BASEMENT DISH AND PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SOAP AT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.
Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.
Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE BAR, COOK LINE, BASEMENT DISH, AND PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH THE ABOVE VIOLATION.
Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.
Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.
Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE BAR AND ON THE COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.
Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.
Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.
Violation #16
CRITICAL
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED BASEMENT LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM OF CHLORINE. SEE COMMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING PROPER SANITIZER CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN 50-100PPM OF CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.
All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.
Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.
Violation #22
CRITICAL
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS STORED AT THE STATED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE PREP COOLER LOCATED ON COOK LINE: RIBS AT 51.0F, OCTOPUS BETWEEN 47.6F AND 51.8F, AND SALMON AT 45.1F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 15 LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $200. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS ITEMS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.
Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.
Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.
Violation #33
MAJOR
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED PREP COOLER CONTAINING TCS ITEMS SUCH AS RIBS, OCTOPUS, AND SALMON MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 51 F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR COOLER SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.
All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.
Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON DOOR OF WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DIRT AND GRIME ON THE WALL IN BASEMENT DISH AREA AND WALL-MOUNTED POTATO CUTTER IN SAME AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
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 BUILD-UP OF DIRT AND GRIME ON THE WALL IN BASEMENT DISH AREA AND WALL-MOUNTED POTATO CUTTER IN SAME AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
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.

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