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THE RESERVE

500 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60661 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

THE RESERVE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 3, 2026. The most recent inspection, on September 10, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

2 of 4 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene 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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2026. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 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 September 3, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

4 inspections

  1. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE BAR, REAR PREPARATION, AND COMMUNAL AREAS MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SIGNAGE TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO DRAIN BOARDS PROVIDED AT THE REAR PREPARATION AREA 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DRAIN BOARDS OR OTHER APPROVED FIXTURES SUCH AS DRYING RACK AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FOR ALLOWING CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS TO AIR DRY PRIOR TO USE AND MAINTAIN.
  2. License

    0 infractions

  3. License

    0 infractions

  4. License

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE BAR, REAR PREPARATION, AND COMMUNAL AREAS MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SIGNAGE TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED FACILITY HAS NEW LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE ON-SITE STILL IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING, NOT INSTALLED IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. FACILITY HAS ADDITIONAL LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK ON-SITE FOR EXISTING LICENSE. EXISTING DISH MACHINE IN REAR PREPARATION AREA IS CONSUMER-GRADE AND NOT ADEQUATE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSIL WAREWASHING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA AND MAINTAIN FINAL RINSE CHLORINE SANTIIZER CONCENTRATION BETWEEN 50 TO 200 PPM AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA SOILED WITH DUST DEBRIS AND CALCIUM BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DUST DEBRIS, CALCIUM, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORTS, OPERATOR LICENSING INFORMATION, AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED BY THE LAW AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO DRAIN BOARDS PROVIDED AT THE REAR PREPARATION AREA 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DRAIN BOARDS OR OTHER APPROVED FIXTURES SUCH AS DRYING RACK AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FOR ALLOWING CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS TO AIR DRY PRIOR TO USE AND MAINTAIN.

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