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THE DARLING

901-905 W RANDOLPH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60607 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

THE DARLING has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 13, 2016. The most recent inspection, on September 2, 2026, found no infractions.

5 of 16 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, Pests and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 25, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 June 11, 2025. 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 October 4, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 14, 2016. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 12 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on June 25, 2025. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & 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.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19 OBSERVED CRACKED WOOD SPOONS HANGING FROM THE WALL OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CRACKED SPOONS THAT ARE NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 CLEAN THE STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES BEHIND BOTH BARS INCLUDING SINKS, PREP TABLES AND LEGS OF EQUIPMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11 REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES BEHIND THE 2ND FLOOR BAR AREA. SCRAPE AND REPAINT CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING AND WOOD BEAMS ABOVE THE BASEMENT DISH WASHING AND PREP AREAS.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19 OBSERVED CRACKED WOOD SPOONS HANGING FROM THE WALL OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CRACKED SPOONS THAT ARE NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 CLEAN THE STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES BEHIND BOTH BARS INCLUDING SINKS, PREP TABLES AND LEGS OF EQUIPMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11 REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES BEHIND THE 2ND FLOOR BAR AREA. SCRAPE AND REPAINT CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING AND WOOD BEAMS ABOVE THE BASEMENT DISH WASHING AND PREP AREAS.
    • 59. PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • 8-404.13(B)(3) PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2618996 ON 6/11/25 NOT CORRECTED: 38 - OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A RECENT SERVICE AND A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FROM A PEST CONTROL COMPANY CERTIFIED BY IDPH. A MINIMUM OF 2 SERVICE REPORTS MUST BE KEPT IN THE LOG BOOK FROM THE PAST CALENDAR YEAR. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • 8-304.11(A) THE INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 6/11/25 WAS NOT POSTED IN THE PUBLIC VIEW. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN PUBLIC VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED A BUILDUP OF MOLD-LIKE GROWTH ON THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF BOTH ICE MACHINES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR OF BOTH ICE MACHINES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED NO SANITIZER DETECTED AT THE FINAL RINSE AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE DISH WASHING MACHINE WITH A FINAL RINSE OF 100 PPM CHLORINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A RECENT SERVICE AND A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FROM A PEST CONTROL COMPANY CERTIFIED BY IDPH. A MINIMUM OF 2 SERVICE REPORTS MUST BE KEPT IN THE LOG BOOK FROM THE PAST CALENDAR YEAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CRACKED WOOD SPOONS HANGING FROM THE WALL OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CRACKED SPOONS THAT ARE NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON THE PREMISES TO MEASURE THE CHLORINE CONCENTRATION AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES BEHIND BOTH BARS INCLUDING SINKS, PREP TABLES AND LEGS OF EQUIPMENT.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • REPAIR THE LEAKING CHEMICAL LINES ATTACHED TO THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • CLEAN THE CLOGGED TOILET IN THE BASEMENT MEN'S EMPLOYEE WASHROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • REPLACE THE BROKEN FLOOR TILES BEHIND THE 2ND FLOOR BAR AREA. SCRAPE AND REPAINT CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING AND WOOD BEAMS ABOVE THE BASEMENT DISH WASHING AND PREP AREAS.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON HIGH BEAMS ABOVE SHELVING UNITS WHERE CLEAN SERVING UTENSILS ARE STORED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DIM LIGHTING IN THE WALK IN FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING IN THE UNIT.
  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. FACILITY IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES. MUST MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS (BEEF STOCK MARINARA,COOKED GROUND BEEF, JICAMA,CUT CHEESES,FLAVORED SIMPLE SYRUPS, ETC) STORED IN WALK AND COOLER AND ALL COLD HOLD UNITS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA WITH INCORRECT LABELS. MUST PROVIDE DISCARD OR USE BY DATE LABELS (NOT EXCEEDING 7 DAYS ON ALL REFRIGERATED, READY TO EAT FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4TH INCH GAP ON BACK DOOR LEADING TO GARBAGE RECEPTACLE OUTSIDE. MUST ENCLOSE TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
  10. Canvass

    0 infractions

  11. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST AFFIX SPLASH GUARD AT FRONT COUNTER BAR/PREP AREA.
  12. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT COUNTER BAR AREA BY FOOD PREP STATION, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE, NO FOODS BEING HANDLED AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION,
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • CLUTTER BASEMENT UTILITY CLOSET, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
  13. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • VENTS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT FIRST AND BASEMENT AREAS AND VENT ABOVE DISH MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN DAILY,
  14. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • BLACK WALLS AND CEILING IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA AND 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTD TO HAVE WALLS AND CEILINGS IN PREP AREAS FINISHED IN A LIGHT COLOR
  15. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • WALK IN FREEZER AT 16F. INSTD TO REPAIR AND HAVE AT 0F OR BELOW.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • BLACK WALLS AND CEILING IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA AND 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTD TO HAVE WALLS AND CEILINGS IN PREP AREAS FINISHED IN A LIGHT COLOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER ABOVE TOP LOADING MARGARITA MACHINE. INSTD TO PRIVIDE SAME.
  16. License

    3 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • WALK IN FREEZER IN POOR REPAIR, UNABLE TO MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE, 50F. INSTD TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN PRODUCT TEMPERATURE OF 0F OR BELOW.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • BLACK WALLS AND CEILING IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA AND 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTD TO HAVE WALLS AND CEILINGS IN PREP AREAS FINISHED IN A LIGHT COLOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER ABOVE TOP LOADING MARGARITA MACHINE. INSTD TO PRIVIDE SAME.

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