Skip to content
Loading map…

JAMAICA JERK

1631 W HOWARD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60626 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

JAMAICA JERK has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 21, 2011. The most recent inspection, on September 5, 2014, found no infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food source, labelling and allergens 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.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 19, 2013. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 March 14, 2012. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 June 21, 2011. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 17 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on December 31, 2013. For example: PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

  • 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 1, 2013. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • CLUTTER ON FLOOR IN SECOND DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ARRANGE ITEMS TO BE SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR AND WALLS.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MINERAL BUILD-UP INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE AND POP GUN DISPENSER AT FRONT COUNTER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • GREASE ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA,DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER THE FRONT COUNTER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • STAINED AND BUBBLED CEILING TILES IN DINING AREA BY THE EXIT DOOR SIGN,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED ON PREMISES. OUTER OPENING NOT PROTECTED: BACK REAR DOOR WITH A 1/4" TO 1/2" OF GAPS BOTTOM AND SIDE OF THE DOOR. DOOR MUST BE RODENT AND INSECT PROOFED. WE OBSERVED RAT DROPPINGS INSIDE BOTH FRYERS(8 DROPPINGS)IN PREP AREA.TWO RAT DROPPINGS IN REAR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREA MENTIONED. NEED TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. HALLWAY AND STORAGE EXTREMELY CLUTTERED UNABLE TO CHECK AREA,INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AREA,ELEVATE ITEMS NEEDED AND REMOVE WHAT IS NOT NEEDED. ELEVATE ITEMS 6" OFF THE FLOOR, TO MINIMIZE RODENT ACTIVITY SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-020
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER ON PREMISES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD WERE PREPARED AND SERVED(CHICKEN,RICE,COOKED VEGETABLE,ETC). A CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER NEED TO BE ON PREMISES WHEN FOOD IS HANDLED. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-012(A)
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MINERAL BUILD-UP INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE AND POP GUN DISPENSER AT FRONT COUNTER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • GREASE ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA,DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER THE FRONT COUNTER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • STAINED AND BUBBLED CEILING TILES IN DINING AREA BY THE EXIT DOOR SIGN,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INVERT CLEANED MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON SHELVES, (POT/PANS).
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PROVIDE FOOD CONTAINERS FOR ALL STORED FOOD, (COOKED/RAW), STORE RAW FOOD SEPARATE FROM COOKED FOOD IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS. REMOVE ALL DISPOSABLE ALUMINUM FOOD CONTAINERS, "DO NOT REUSE THEN FOR FOOD." OBSERVED A LOT OF ALUMINUM CONTAINERS WASHED AND STORED ON SHELF ON TOP OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • DETAIL CLEAN ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS INSIDE, FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER BUILD-UP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR AND RUBBER MATS (EXTREMELY STICKY), DAILY.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 1 COMPARTMENT SINK SLOWLY DRAINING, INSTRUCTED TO FIX.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • TODAY'S VIOLATION: ADDITIONAL CLEANING AND REMOVAL OF CLUTTER IS NEEDED BY THE BUFFET
  6. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • IMPROPER PEST CONTROL; OBSERVED OPENED GLUE BOARDS STORED ON SHELVES IN THE PREP AREA BY OPENED FOOD BAGS; ALSO OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MICE DROPPINGS IN REAR STORAGE AREAS,(APPROX. 30 DROPPINGS) OBSERVED A LOT OF GARBAGE IN FRONT OF ONE OF EXIT DOOR, ALSO ALL OTHER STORAGE EXTREMELY CLUTTERED, A LOT OF ITEMS FOOD AND NON-FOOD ITEMS ON FLOOR; ALSO CLUTTER THE SOUTH EAST CORNER BY THE BUFFET AREA. UNABLE TO CHECK FLOORS ON THOSE MENTIONED AREA. NEED TO REMOVE CHAIRS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM WASHROOM. EVIDENCE OF MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, SANITIZE AREA MENTIONED, REMOVE CLUTTER AND ITEMS NOT NEEDED, ELEVATE ITEMS NEEDED 6" OFF THE FLOOR. LAST PEST CONTROL SERVICE WAS ON 6/2011. SERIOUS VIOLATION; 7-38-020.
    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE KITCHEN NOT MAINTAINED. FOUND EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH MISSING CONNECTION TO WASTE WATER PIPE, UNABLE TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, AND TO WASH HANDS AT EXPOSED HAND SINK AT FRONT COUNTER. RECONNECT PIPE UNDER CITY PLUMBING CODE. SERIOUS CITATION 7-38-030.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • LABEL FOOD STORED IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INVERT CLEANED MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON SHELVES, (POT/PANS).
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PROVIDE FOOD CONTAINERS FOR ALL STORED FOOD, (COOKED/RAW), STORE RAW FOOD SEPARATE FROM COOKED FOOD IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS. REMOVE ALL DISPOSABLE ALUMINUM FOOD CONTAINERS, "DO NOT REUSE THEN FOR FOOD." OBSERVED A LOT OF ALUMINUM CONTAINERS WASHED AND STORED ON SHELF ON TOP OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • DETAIL CLEAN ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS INSIDE, FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER BUILD-UP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR AND RUBBER MATS (EXTREMELY STICKY), DAILY.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 1 COMPARTMENT SINK STOWLY DRAINING, INSTRUCTED TO FIX.
  7. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES ON SHELVES THROUGHOUT.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PAINT PEELING ON TRASH CONTAINER IN LADIES TOILET. OBSERVED FOODSERVICE STAFF AT FRONT WIPING SANITIZED SILVER WARES AND OTHER UTENSILS WITH CLOTH NAPKINS INSTRUCTED NOT DO SO ANY MORE IF CAUGHT NET TIME CITATION WILL BE ISSUED FOR CROSS CONTAMINATION.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN STAINS AND DEBRIS ON INSIDE DEEP FRYER BOTTOM COMPARTMENTS, INSIDE ONE DOOR REACH IN FREEZER BY STEAM TABLES, AND ON EXPOSE HAND WASH SINK IN KITCHEN.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair. OBSERVED FOODSERVICE STAFF HANDLING FOODS WITH NO HAIR AND BEAR RESTRAINT,INSTRUCTED TO HAVE BOTH ON WHILE FOODS ARE HANDLED.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website