Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Bottom Lounge

Name: Bottom Lounge
Address: 1369-1375 W Lake St, Chicago, IL

1369-1375 W Lake St

Last inspected Nov 5, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Nov 5, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 29Other

Official wording

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND VACUUM PACKAGED TCS FOODS (CHICKEN) IN THE FREEZER WITHOUT A CDPH APPROVED HACCP PLAN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE THE MACHINE UNTIL A HACCP PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY CDPH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 32Other

Official wording

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE SODA GUN NOZZLES AND FLUSH OUT THE DRAINS AT ALL BARS.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

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, Nov 5, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 8, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. THE SANITIZING STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY SANITIZED AT A MINIMUM OF 50 PPM. THE DISH MACHINE WAS REPAIRED DURING INSPECTION TO 100PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

NOTED TEMPERATURE OF 2-DOOR REACH IN PREP COOLER TO BE IMPROPER AT 67.2F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. THE PERSON IN CHARGE SERVICED THE COOLER UNIT DURING THE INSPECTION. THE COOLER UNIT WAS OBSERVED AT 41F AFTER INSPECTION. 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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE KITCHEN PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 3 LBS OF CHICKEN AT 67.5F AND 3 LBS OF SLICED VEGETABLES AT 67.4F. THE MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 6LBS AT $100. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT, AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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, May 8, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection