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SAINT BESS JERK

5215 W CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SAINT BESS JERK has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 7, 2026. The most recent inspection, on August 18, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 19 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

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.

  • 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 August 14, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 on August 7, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 August 7, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 10 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 18, 2026. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 18, 2026. For example: ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

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. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17---A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13---OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
  2. License Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • 3-307.11---SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT RIGHT SIDE OF THE HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • 5-103.12---OBSERVED VERY LOW HOT RUNNING WATER PRESSURE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.ADEQUATE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL FIXTURES DURING PEAK DEMAND INCLUDING THE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE HOT WATER AT PEAK HOT WATER DEMAND. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C).
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17---A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13---OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
  3. License

    13 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT THE HANDWASHING SINKS AT THE PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS AND INSIDE THE WASHROOMS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C).
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT THE HANDWASHING SINKS AT THE PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS AND INSIDE THE WASHROOMS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CONSOLIDATED WITH THE ABOVE VIOLATION.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED FRONT DOOR WITH GAP OPENING APPROX:1/4" INCH AT BOTTOM OF SAID DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT RIGHT SIDE OF THE HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • OBSERVED VERY LOW HOT RUNNING WATER PRESSURE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.ADEQUATE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL FIXTURES DURING PEAK DEMAND INCLUDING THE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE HOT WATER AT PEAK HOT WATER DEMAND. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C).
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH THE HAND SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED MISSING SCREW FIXTURE SECURING THE TOP LID OF THE GREASE TRAP SYSTEM LOCATED ON GROUND FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS WITH OVERFLOWING TRASH LIDS PREVENTING PROPER LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE SERVICE PICK-UP OR PROVIDE LARGER GARBAGE DUMPSTER THAT MUST BE ABLE TO CLOSE AND REMAIN TIGHT-FITTING IN ORDER TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.OUTSIDE ENCLOSED GARBAGE AREA MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(b).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING COVING AT WALLBASE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ADJACENT TO THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AT REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND FRONT DINING ROOM AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE WORKING VENTILATION IN WASHROOMS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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