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JOE'S GRILL

1159 W 51ST ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

JOE'S GRILL has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 12, 2023. The most recent inspection, on September 9, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 3, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2025. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 April 3, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 May 12, 2025. For example: APPROVED THAWING 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.

8 inspections

  1. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • No hands washing sign in women's restroom. Instructed to post.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Fly trap mounted on food shelves, instructed to keep away from food storage.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • Spoon for rice stored in standing water, instructed to keep according to Food code, ie.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • Employees clothing placed on top of food containers/ shelves. Live Pottery plants placed in prep kitchen, instructed to remove form food production area.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • No allergen training certificate for food service manager, instructed to obtain.
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • No hands washing sign in women's restroom. Instructed to post.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • Bulk food container not labeled ( flour ) instructed to label.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Fly trap mounted on food shelves, instructed to keep away from food storage.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • Spoon for rice stored in standing water, instructed to keep according to Food code, ie.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • No allergen training certificate for food service manager, instructed to obtain.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED GREEN WIPING CLOTHES STORED ON PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE SANITIZER BUCKET WITH SOLUTION AT LEAST 50 PPM WHILE NOT IN USE.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 8. HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASH HANDS INSIDE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK USED FOR FOOD PREP AFTER PLACING SOILED DISHES INTO WASH BASIN OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED WASH HANDS PROPERLY AT HANDASHING SINKS ONLY AS REQUIRED BYU CODE. MUST MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE PEEL 2 HARD BOILED EGGS WITH BARE HANDS, PLACE EGGS INSIDE WHITE BOWL AND PLACED ON PREP TABLE TO BE SERVED TO CUSTOMER. INSTRUCTED PIC THAT FOOD BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS ARE PROHIBITED WHILE OPERATING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED EGGS AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND SINK AVAILABLE IN (IN USE) REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE HANDSINK FOR EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN BEEF AND CHICKEN STORED INSIDE LARGE ZIPLOCK BAGS ON PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA THAWING IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER RUNNING WATER OR UNDER REFRIGERATION. MUST MAINTAIN
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED GREEN WIPING CLOTHES STORED ON PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE SANITIZER BUCKET WITH SOLUTION AT LEAST 50 PPM WHILE NOT IN USE.
  6. Canvass

    13 infractions

    • 6. PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
      • OBSERVED PERSONAL FOOD ITEMS STORED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PLACE FOOD IN DESIGNATED AREA AND LABEL AWAY FROM FOOD THAT IS CONSUMED BY CUSTOMERS. EMPLOYEES SHALL EAT AND DRINK ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS WHERE THE CONTAMINATION OF EXPOSED FOOD CANNOT RESULT.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT THE HAND SINK LOCATED BEHIND THE WAITRESS COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED NO LABEL FOR THE BULK STORAGE CONTAINER (SUGAR) LOCATED BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER WHERE THE COFFEE IS STORED. THE INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CONTENTS' NAMES.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED A BAG OF CARROTS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER COOKING AND PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD-GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE TO HAVE FOOD SPLASH AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD STAIRS LEADING TO THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OR PAINT TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS AND ICE BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR/WALLS/CEILING OF THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM, PUBLIC WOMEN TOILET ROOM, AND HALLWAY OF THE KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW IT TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE OUT OF TWO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGERS WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.
  7. License

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED MISSING BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON THE NEWLY INSTALLED ICE MACHINE IN THE FRONT COUNTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO ENSURE DEVICE CAN BE LOCATED, SERVICED, AND MAINTAINED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED BEVERAGE SERVICE LINE WITHOUT A PREP SINK. INFORMED MANAGER THAT A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION IS REQUIRED IN ANY FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS INSIDE OF UNISEX/ STAFF TOILET ROOM AND WOMENS RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  8. License

    0 infractions

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