Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Brown Bag Seafood Co.

Name: Brown Bag Seafood Co.
Address: 1 W Division St, Chicago, IL

1 W Division St

Last inspected Mar 31, 2026 · 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

4 inspections

Canvass

Mar 31, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE OF THE ICE CHEST IN THE BASEMENT IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF ICE.

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 THE FLOOR OF THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT IN THE BASEMENT IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING UNDER THE SHELVING ALONG THE WALLS AND CORNERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE GREASE TRAP IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING...OBSERVED THE FOOD SERVICE AREA FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.

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

OBSERVED BROKEN LIGHT COVERS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 31, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 13, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LIGHT BUILD UP OF DUST AND GREASE ON THE SIDES OF COOKING AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AS NEEDED.

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 BUILD UP OF DIRT, SMALL DEBRIS IN THE CORNERS OF THE WALLS AND FLOOR IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA AS WELL AS IN THE DISH WASHING AREA UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.

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

OBSERVED A HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON THE FRONT VENT AT THE FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE AND LIGHT BUILD UP OF DUST ON OTHER VENTS THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL VENTS.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 13, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 12, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE EMPLOYEE RESTROOM COMING LOOSE FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT AND THE UPSTAIRS FOOD SERVICE AREA WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE, DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT FEEDING AND HARBORING.

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

OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DIRT ON THE FLOOR OF THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT IN THE BASEMENT PREP/DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 12, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Nov 2, 2023

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

BOXES OF SINGLE-USE ARTICLES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE CLOSET. ITEMS MUST BE AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

CRATES USED AS ELEVATION FOR STORAGE ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT. FACILITY MUST REPLACE WITH SHELVING THAT IS EASY TO CLEAN AND MONITOR DEBRIS UNDERNEATH AND SHELVING IS SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, DURABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT.

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

LIGHTING WAS FOUND NOT SHIELDED OR PROTECTED IN THE BASEMENT MOP CLOSET. LIGHT BULBS SHALL BE SHIELDED, COATED, OR SHATTER-RESISTANT IN AREAS WHERE EXPOSED FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT, UNTENSILS, LINENS, OR UNWRAPPED SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING CEILING PANELS ON ABOVE SINGLE USE DRY STORAGE CLOSET IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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, Nov 2, 2023 · Original Source