BJ'S MARKET AND BAKING
1156 W 79TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60620 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
BJ'S MARKET AND BAKING has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 21, 2023. The most recent inspection, on August 10, 2026, found no infractions.
3 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.
Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded once on October 10, 2024. For example:
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded once on October 10, 2024. For example:
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded once on October 10, 2024. For example:
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 27, 2025. For example:
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.
Recorded once on October 10, 2024. For example:
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
About this data
These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
5 inspections
- Non-Inspection
0 infractions
- Canvass
1 infraction
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- CLEAN FLOORS AND CEILING VENTS WHERE NEEDED.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- Canvass
0 infractions
- Canvass
8 infractions
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
- OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
- 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
- MUST ADJUST FAUCET HANDLES AT HAND SINKS AT MEN'S COLD AND WOMEN'S HOT TO STAY ON LONGER FOR HAND WASHING.
- 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
- OBSERVED A GAP IN RIGHT CORNER OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- MUST REMOVE FOIL AND RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND FRYER CABINET.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- MUST MUST REPAIR HOLE IN WALL OUTSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP AND SPILLAGE FROM FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER, UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND FLOOR DRAIN AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
- 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
- MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
- License
0 infractions
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