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KEN TONE'S DRIVE-IN SINCE 1968

551 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60616 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

KEN TONE'S DRIVE-IN SINCE 1968 has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 7, 2017. The most recent inspection, on May 19, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 10 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, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Protecting food from contamination.

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 June 28, 2022. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 29, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 6, 2023. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 April 4, 2018. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 April 4, 2018. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. 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 MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA WITH A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET, ALSO OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE DRAIN PIPE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE MENS RESTROOM LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE BASE OF THE WALL LINING COMING LOOSE FROM THE REAR WALL OF THE FACILITY JUST ACROSS FROM THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE WASHER AND DRYER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE INSECT ENTERING AND OR HARBORING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DUST, DIRT, FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER DEBRIS UNDER THE SHELVING IN THE REAR STOARAGE AREAS AND UNDER COOKING AND NON COOKING ITEMS LOCATED IN THE REAR FOOD SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT HARBORING.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK AND DRAINBOARD OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS OF KITCHEN AND REAR DISH/STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH SHELVING AND EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENTS IN CEILING OF KITCHEN AREA NEAR HOOD TO BE COVERED WITH DUST. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • LARGE CAN OPENER IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF ALL REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • INTERIOR OF EMPLOYEE WASH ROOM IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS AND WALLS THROUGHOUT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 6-301.14 OBSERVED HAND WASHING SIGNS ARE NEEDED AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE TOILET ROOMS AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED MINOR ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  7. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • A CONSUMER ADVISORY SIGN WAS POSTED BUT NO DISCLOSURE STATEMENT OR REMINDER OBSERVED ON MENU BOARD OR PRINTED MENUS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT OR REMINDER ON MENU BOARD AND TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY STATEMENT, DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER ON ALL PRINTED MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF THE FRYERS AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE OBSERVED. CLEAN BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN AND STORAGE SHELVES.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE VALVE AND FAUCET NECK AT THE MOP SINK IN REAR OF KITCHEN LEAKING WHEN WATER RUNNING; MUST REPAIR LEAK AT VALVE AND FAUCET NECK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENTS IN KITCHEN TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • FOUND 10 POUNDS OF SLICED AND DICED CUT TOMATOES AT IMPROPER TEMPERATUREOF 46-47 DEGREES. TOMATOES WERE AT 3 DIFFERANT PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD TOMATOES. TOTAL VALUE $20.00 10 POUNDS CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • 2 REAR EXIT DOORS NOT RODENT PROOFED. LARGE GAPS AT BOTTOM AND SIDES OF DOORS. DOORS MUST BE TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT DOORS AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM SEPT 7, 2017 REP #2081670 #33 CLEAN EXTERIOR/SIDES OF HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT OF GREASE BUILD-UP #34 CLEAN FLOOR AROUND AND BETWEEN HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT ALONG COOK LINE OF GREASE BUILD-UP/SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING WORN, WITH DEEP CUTS AND DISCOLORED. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL REACH IN COOLERS AND WALK IN SHELVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS IN PREP AREAS AND STORAGE AREAS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL SPLATTER AND BUILD UP. OPENING AROUND PIPES AT FRONT HANDSINK MUST BE SEALED. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ANY UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN REAR STORAGE ROOM IN NEED OF REMOVAL. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  10. License

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN EXTERIOR/SIDES OF HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT OF GREASE BUILD-UP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR AROUND AND BETWEEN HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT ALONG COOK LINE OF GREASE BUILD-UP/SPILLS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELD MISSING FOR BULB IN WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.

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