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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Buffalo Joe's On Howard

1841 W Howard St

Last inspected Sep 26, 2025 · 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

2 inspections

Canvass

Sep 26, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND 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
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE LONG EDGE OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF 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 FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER NEAR CASHIER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED STORAGE AREA AND ENCLOSURE FOR REFUSE, RECYCLABLES, OR RETURNABLES LITTERED WITH UNNECESSARY ITEMS (EX. CRATES, WOODEN PALLETS, ETC). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN A MENTIONED AREAS SHALL BE MAINTAINED FREE OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS.

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

NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

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, Sep 26, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 18, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

13 recorded violations

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

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
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.

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
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING POTS, PANS AND UTENSILS AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT SANITIZING AS THE FINAL RINSE. SINK NOT PROPERLY SET TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. WASH BASIN ONLY WAS SET UP. REVIEWED PROPER SINK SET UP WITH MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY SET SINK AND REWASH ALL UNSANITIZED DISHWARES AND PANS. 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 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS COOKED RIB TIPS BEING HELD ON THE COOKS LINE STEAM TABLE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. RIBS NOTED RANGING IN TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 118.9 TO 129.5F. ALL DISCARDED. 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 APPROXIMATELY 3 LBS RANCH DAIRY BASED DRESSING HELD AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 52.5F IN THE FRONT COUNTER SMALL REFRIGERATION UNIT. ALL DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION #21 FOR CITATION.

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 23Food source and labeling

Official wording

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE. COOKED RIB TIPS AND PREPARED COLESLAW WITH NO LABELS. NOT LABELED WITH PREP OR EXPIRATION DATES. REVIEWED REQUIRED LABELING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED A LARGE PAN OF FROZEN FOOD THAWING ON A PREP TABLE IN THE REAR PREP. MANAGER REMOVED AND PUT THE FOOD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER TO PROPERLY THAW UNDER REFRIGERATION.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

NOTED BULK FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. ALL FOODS NOT STORED IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

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

NOTED TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKET ON THE WALK-IN FREEZER DOOR. MUST REPLACE.

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

INTERIOR DOOR AND COOLER SURFACES OF THE COOKS LINE THREE DOOR COOLER IN POOR REPAIR WITH HOLES, EXPOSED INSULATION AND RAW WOOD. ALSO NOTED THE COOKS LINE ONE DOOR CHICKEN COOLER REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

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

MISSING HOT AND COLD HANDLE ON THE FAUCET OF THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM WASHBOWL SINK. MUST REPLACE.

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 NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOORS ON THE COOKS LINE AND THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY-----NOTED BLACKENED MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPLACE.---NOTED DAMAGED, PEELING CEILING ABOVE THE REAR PREP AREA PREP TABLE. PEELING PAINT ON THE WALL AT THE COOKS LINE HOT HOLDING UNIT. MUST REPAIR.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE FRONT WAITING AREA AND THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE.

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

INOPERABLE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR.

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, Dec 18, 2024 · Original Source

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