Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Brownstone Tavern & Grill

Name: Brownstone Tavern & Grill
Address: 3937 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL

3937 N Lincoln Ave

Last inspected Apr 15, 2026 · 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

Apr 15, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE OF THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 46F, HUMMUS AT 45F, ROASTED CORN AT 46F, AND BLACK BEANS AT 59F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. 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 THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE TCS FOODS SUCH AS MEATS AND CHEESES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKETS INSIDE OF THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER.

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

CLEAN THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AT THE BAR NEXT TO THE BEER TAPS AND THE SODA GUN HOLDER AND DRAIN.

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, Apr 15, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 11, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE RINSING EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN THE FRONT KITCHEN AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO USE HANDWASHING SINKS FOR NO PURPOSES OTHER THAN HANDWASHING AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. DISCUSSED HANDWASHING SINK PROCEDURES WITH FOOD EMPLOYEE AND PERSON-IN-CHARGE, FOOD EMPLOYEE RE-RINSED EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

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.

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 5 DEAD COCKROACHES BENEATH SHELVES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD COCKROACHES AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREA(S) AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE PEST MONITORING TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DEAD OR TRAPPED PESTS.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC CUPS USED AS SCOOPS IN DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE MAIN KITCHEN AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE PLASTIC CUPS WITH MULTI-USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION WHILE SCOOPING AND MAINTAIN.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND BUILD UP OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATIONS IN THE REAR BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND REDUCE CLUTTER IN THE REAR BASEMENT STORAGE AREA TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE ROUTINE PEST MONITORING 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, Jun 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 13, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SCOOPS USED IN PREPARATION COOLERS AND DRY STORAGE BINS TO BE STORED WITH HANDLES OF SCOOPS IN CONTACT WITH CONTENTS OF STORAGE BINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ALL SCOOPS WITH HANDLES NOT IN CONTACT WITH FOOD CONTENTS.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LID OF TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM TO BE MISSING/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH A LID IN THE WOMEN'S OR UNISEX 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 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH A CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION OF 0 PPM AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MACHINE WAS IN USE BY FACILITY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRAION. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONCENTRATION OF AT LEAST 50 PPM AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEES TO CLEAN OUT TUBE AND REPLACE SANITIZING SOLUTION DURING INSPECTION; MACHINE WAS RETESTED. MACHINE READ 100 PPM 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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE BOXES AND CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE ROOM AT FRONT OF BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM FLOOR.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE SIDES OF THE FRYER, THE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRYER, IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA OF KITCHEN TO BE HEAVILY COATED WITH GREASE BUILD UP THAT IS DRIPPING ONTO THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FREE OF EXCESSIVE GREASE 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 13, 2024 · Original Source