Skip to content
Loading map…

BYRD'S HOT CHICKEN

319 S JEFFERSON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60661 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BYRD'S HOT CHICKEN has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 30, 2024. The most recent inspection, on January 22, 2026, recorded 8 infractions.

None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 22, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on January 22, 2026. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 January 22, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES 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 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 22, 2026. For example: PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 22, 2026. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

3 inspections

  1. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON-IN-CHARGE PRESENT WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE AT START TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE PRESENT ON-SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AT START TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOOD ITEMS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (CHICKEN, PASTA). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE EJAZ HUSSAIN KHAN ARRIVED ON-SITE WITH VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE AFTER START TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED AT THE FRONT AND REAR PREPARATION AREA HANDWASHING SINKS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PRODIVE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AVAILABLE FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED TCS FOOD ITEM (COOKED PASTA) IN THE WALK-IN COOLER STORED COVERED BY FOOD CONTAINER LID WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS LOOSELY-COVERED OR UNCOVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING TO FACILITATE HEAT TRANSFER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF PREPARATION TABLE BENEATH GRIDDLE IN THE MAIN COOK LINE AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING AND PREPARATION EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS, WALLS, AND GAS LINES BENEATH AND BEHIND DEEP FRYERS IN THE MAIN COOK LINE AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE, AND OTHER SOILS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND PIPING FIXTURES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • SEE VIOLATION #60.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING VIOLATION(S) FROM PREVIOUS CANVASS INSPECTION (INSPECTION NO. 2611890) ON 2/6/2025 NOT CORRECTED AT TIME OF CURRENT CANVASS INSPECTION: #57 2-102.13 MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR COOKS. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ALL CORE VIOLATIONS BY THEIR ASSIGNED DUE DATE, AND OBTAIN FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE(S) ON-SITE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • No certified food service manager on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( chicken...) instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • Food handler not wearing a hair restraints, instructed to wear.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • Missing Food handler training certificate for cooks. Instructed to obtain.
  3. License

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • No mop hangers at mop sink area, instructed to install.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • Inadequate lighting in walk-in cooler, instructed to provide.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website