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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Bar Cocina

2901 N Sheffield Ave

Last inspected Jul 8, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Jul 8, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE OUTSIDE BAR ON SOUTH SIDE OF FACILITY AND THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA NEAR THE FRYERS TO BE MISSING A HAND WASHING SIGN REMINDING EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNAGE AT EACH HAND WASHING SINK.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED VARIOUS BOXED ITEMS AND BAGS OF FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR BELOW SHELVES IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE CORNER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SIDES OF FRYER AND OVEN NEXT TO THE FRYER IN THE MAIN PREP AREA TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FREE OF EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD UP.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SPRAY SINK AT DISH MACHINE TO BE MISSING HANDLE TO ENGAGE SINK FAUCET. SPRAYER STILL FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR. PROVIDED AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH CAN IN THREE (3) CUSTOMER BATHROOMS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH CAN IN EACH UNISEX/FEMALE BATHROOMS.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A SMALL WHITE CHEST FREEZER IN THE FRONT BAR/MAIN ENTRANCE BAR TO BE NOT FUNCTIONAL, WITH A LOOSE LID. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS NOT NECESSARY TO FUNCTION OF FACILITY.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 8, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 2, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 2, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 17, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS. MUST CLEAN COOLERS CONDENSERS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

SOME CEILING LIGHT BULBS NOT WORKING ABOVE DISHMACHINE AREA. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING CEILING LIGHT BULBS.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

FOUND THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 51.8 F AND 56.0 F INSIDE 3-DOOR PREP COOLER ALONG COOKLINE- COOKED CAULIFLOWER, COOKED POTATOES AND SPROUTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0 F OR BELOW IF HELD COLD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. ALL SAID OUT OF TEMPERATURE FOODS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. FOODS DISCARDED WEIGHT- 17 LBS, VALUED AT $250.00.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

PREP AREA 3-DOOR REACH IN COOLER (ALONG COOKLINE) NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 53.8 F. FOUND COOKED CAULIFLOWER, SPROUTS, ETC. INSIDE SAID COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR COOLER, COOLER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0 F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOME WATER DAMANGED/MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE DISHMACHINE AREA. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED/MISSING CEILING TILES.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 17, 2024 · Original Source

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