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SMALL BAR #1

2956 N ALBANY AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SMALL BAR #1 has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 2, 2025. The most recent inspection, on June 16, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

2 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 9 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 once on June 16, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 October 30, 2025. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 16, 2026. For example: IN-USE UTENSILS: 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 16, 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.

5 inspections

  1. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OUTER OPENING NOT PROTECTED. OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR WITH A GAP OR OPENING ON BOTTOM DOOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH. MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS IMPROPERLY STORE IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST PROPERLY ELEVATE ITEMS FROM FLOOR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A FEW DAMAGED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN REAR OF BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  2. Complaint

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED WOOD THROUGHOUT THE BAR AREA TO BE UNTREATED AND NOT SMOOTH OR EASILY CLEANABLE. ALSO OBSERVED HEAVY RUST ON THE EXTERIOR WALK-IN COOLER SHELVES, NO LONGER SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE MENTIONED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES AND MAINTAIN ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN POOR REPAIR: SEVERAL HOLES IN WALLS THROUGHOUT THE 1ST FLOOR FURNACE CLOSET), CLEANABLE WALL PANELS DETACHED FROM COOLER WALLS IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN POOR REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.
  4. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED WOOD THROUGHOUT THE BAR AREA TO BE UNTREATED AND NOT SMOOTH OR EASILY CLEANABLE. ALSO OBSERVED HEAVY RUST ON THE EXTERIOR WALK-IN COOLER SHELVES, NO LONGER SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE MENTIONED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES AND MAINTAIN ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FACILITY UTILIZING COMBINATION OF 1-COMPARTMENT AND 2-COMPARTMENT SINK FOR WAREWASHING WITHOUT PRIOR DEPARTMENT APPROVAL, NO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FOR WAREWASHING PROVIDED ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN BAR AREA INSUFFICIENT IN SIZE OR CAPACITY FOR ADEQUATE WAREWASHING OF FOOD EQUIPMENT PROVIDED ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SINK WITH AT LEAST 3 COMPARTMENTS FOR MANUAL WAREWASHING AND MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL AND AVAILABLE FOR USE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN POOR REPAIR: SEVERAL HOLES IN WALLS THROUGHOUT THE 1ST FLOOR FURNACE CLOSET), CLEANABLE WALL PANELS DETACHED FROM COOLER WALLS IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN POOR REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

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