Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Berghoff's

Name: Berghoff's
Address: 17 W Adams St, Chicago, IL

17 W Adams St

Last inspected Jul 7, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 7, 2026

Pass

7 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE WITH COMMON NAMES(SQUEEZE BOTTLES,SMALL AND BULK CONTAINERS,ETC)

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE CRACKED FOOD STORAGE LIDS ON BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN 4TH FL. BAKERY AREA,WORN DOOR GASKETS ON REACH IN COOLER# 7&10,WIC #9.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) : MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT,WHEEL BASES,STORAGE SHELVES,PIPES OF EQUIPMENT,2ND FL. WIC #5 SHELVING UNITS,BREAD CARTS.

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

5-205.15 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN MAIN KITCHEN 1ST FL.,2ND FL. LEAKY GASKET FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT AND 4TH FL. LEAKY PIPE FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT ALL PREP AREAS AND FLOOR DRAINS.

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

6-501.14 : MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN MAIN KITCHEN 1ST FL.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

: 2-102.13 : OBSERVED MISSING AND EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 7, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 25, 2026

Fail

10 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED REAR DELIVERY DOOR WITH A GAP ALONG BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT INSECT ENTRY.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED INADEQUATE FOOD PROTECTION OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED ON 2ND FL. WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PINK AND BLACK SLIMY BUILD UP ON INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE SHOOT AND PANEL BELOW AND RUSTY SCREWS ON INTERIOR PARTS AND DRIPPING ON TO ICE. MUST REMOVE ICE,CLEAN AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE AND REPLACE RUSTED SCREWS TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)

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 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TOXIC ITEMS (SEVERAL BOTTLES OF PERSONAL MEDICINES,FIRST AID SUPPLIES(PEROXIDE),ASPRINS(SEVERAL BOTTLES,ETC)STORED AMONGST SEASONINGS AND OTHER FOOD ON FOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN MAIN KITCHEN AND ON TOP SIDE OF BREAD DOUGH MACHINE WHILE BREAD IS BEING PREPARED.ITEMS WERE REMOVED FROM FOOD PREP AREAS DURING INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO STORE ITEMS AWAY FROM FOOD AND STORE PROPERLY TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE WITH COMMON NAMES(SQUEEZE BOTTLES,SMALL AND BULK CONTAINERS,ETC)

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE CRACKED FOOD STORAGE LIDS ON BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN 4TH FL. BAKERY AREA,WORN DOOR GASKETS ON REACH IN COOLER# 7&10,WIC #9.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT,WHEEL BASES,STORAGE SHELVES,PIPES OF EQUIPMENT,2ND FL. WIC #5 SHELVING UNITS,BREAD CARTS.

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN MAIN KITCHEN 1ST FL.,2ND FL. LEAKY GASKET FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT AND 4TH FL. LEAKY PIPE FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT ALL PREP AREAS AND FLOOR DRAINS.

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

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN MAIN KITCHEN 1ST FL.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING AND EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 25, 2026 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Jul 31, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 31, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jun 12, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 12, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 4, 2025

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 45.3-65.5F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, QUINOA SALAD(56.8F),PORK(51.3F), TUNA(49.3F),PORK SAUSAGE(45.3F),SLICED AVOCADO(47.8F), SLICED TOMATOES(53.8F), POTATOES(65.5F) DICED TOMATOES(56.3F), CORN(55.6F), CHICKEN(46.9F) AND BEANS(51.3F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $180 WEIGHING 25LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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

OBSERVED TWO DOOR UPRIGHT COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 48.6F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON TWO DOOR UPRIGHT COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO DATA PLATE FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READABLE DATA PLATE AFFIXED TO THE MACHINE BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT INDICATES THE MACHINE'S DESIGN AND OPERATION SPECIFICATIONS.

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, Jun 4, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Apr 1, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

FOUND 2 OUT OF 3 LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINES INADEQUATELY SANITIZING DISHES AT 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SANITIZING SOLUTION TO ADEQUATELY SANITIZE DISHES PER MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NO LONGER USE DISH MACHINE UNTIL IT IS RE-INSPECTED BY CDPH AND AT AN ADEQUATE SANITIZING SOLUTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED. ENGINEER SERVICES MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

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 20Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE

Inspector’s notes

FOUND BEEF AT 77F - 86F LOCATED IN WALK IN COOLER. MANAGER STATES BEEF IS COOLLING AND HAS BEEN COOLING FOR OVER 2HRS. INSTRUCTED TO CHILL TCS FOODS FROM 135F-70F WITHIN 2 HOURS AND CHILL FROM 135F - 41F FOR A TOTAL OF 6 HRS. INSTRUCTED TO CREATE A COOLING CHART TO MONISTOR COOLING.PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION. 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED.