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BROWN'S & FAMILY BBQ & SOUL

915 W 87th ST, CHICAGO, IL 60620 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BROWN'S & FAMILY BBQ & SOUL has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 13, 2023. The most recent inspection, on July 15, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 7, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 7, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 3 times on December 9, 2024. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on December 9, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on December 9, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED RODENT DROPPINGS ON PREMISES. FOUND 80 OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PREP TABLE AND INSIDE THE BOTTOM OF THE FRYER CABINET; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT PRIOR TO REINSPECTION NEXT WEEK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE BOTTOM OF THE FRYERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. ALSO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM OF THE PREP TABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE WALLS AND FLOORS AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINETS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 : MUST REMOVE AND ORGANIZE OBSERVED A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (UNUSED CARS,SMOKER,UNUSED EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT REAR YARD .MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN MOP SINK CLOSET, PREP AREAS AND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 : OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    22 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND SINK IN PREP/DISH WASHING AREA AND TOILET ROOM .EMPLOYEE WENT TO STORE TO PURCHASE PAPER TOWELS DURING INSPECTION MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS (BULK,SQUEEZE BOTTLES AND SHAKERS) WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 20 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND AND ON WALLS IN GARBAGE CAN ,MOP SINK AREA,TOILET ROOM AND PREP AREA.RECOMMENED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 12/9/24.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT INSECT ENTRY.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK NEXT TO CLEAN DISH STORAGE RACK AND HAND SINK OR REMOVE DISH RACK TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • MUST PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINT FOR EMPLOYEE WHILE HANDLING FOODS.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WNHEN NOT IN USE ON PREP TABLES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DARK IN COLOR HEAVILY SOILED AND DEEP GROOVES IN CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT TO CHECK SANITIZING SOLUTION PPM'S AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS,ROLLING CART,PREP TABLES,FRYER CABINETS,PERSONAL FAN,OVEN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE A LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REMOVE AND ORGANIZE OBSERVED A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (UNUSED CARS,SMOKER,UNUSED EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT REAR YARD .MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN MOP SINK CLOSET, PREP AREAS AND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ,DIRT AND SPLATTER FROM WALLS AND DOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED AN AIR MATRESS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA MUST REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALLS,WALL BASES,CEILINGS IN PREP/ DISH WASHING AREA,MOP SINK CLOSET AND WHERE NEEDED,SMALL HOLES IN WALL.MUST APPLY A SEALANT ON CONCRETE PAINTED FLOOR IN RAER FOOD STORAGE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST SCRAPE CHIPPING PAINT FROM WALLS & CEILING THROUGHOUT PREMISES TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST CLEAN DUST & DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM HOOD & FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST PLACE COOKING EQUIPMENT COMPLETELY UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  6. License

    0 infractions

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