Non-Inspection
Jun 22, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 22, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Chez Joel
1119 W Taylor St
Last inspected Jun 22, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
No Entry
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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
7 inspectionsNon-Inspection
Jan 15, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 15, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Aug 19, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 19, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Aug 12, 2025
Fail
2 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED 3 LIVE COCKROACHES ON THE WALL OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA AROUND THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
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 insectsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER AND OVENS.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 12, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Aug 5, 2025
Fail
6 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LIVE INSECTS AND EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROX. 50 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS IN AND AROUND THE COUNTERTOP IN FRONT OF THE COFFEE SERVICE AREA AND IN THE BASEMENT. ALSO OBSERVED APPROX. 100 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR, IN THE MOTOR CAVITY OF THE CHEST FREEZER, ON THE WOOD AND LEDGES IN THE BASEMENT SURROUNDING THE WATER HEATER, ICE MACHINE, IN THE DRY STORAGE AND DRESSING ROOM. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT. ALL MOUSE DROPPINGS MUST BE CLEANED AND REMOVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
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 insectsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED RUST AND CHIPPED PAINT ON THE STORAGE SHELVES IN THE BASEMENT MEAT WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES.
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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER AND OVENS.
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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE TOP CAP MISSING FROM THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND THE DEVICE TO BE LEAKING WATER FROM THE TOP. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MULTIPLE AREAS OF CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING DRYWALL IN THE 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE AND REPAINT THE AFFECTED 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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN 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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 5, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jun 14, 2024
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
NOTED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (PASTA). THE INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CONTENTS' NAMES.
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 problemsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDE FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 14, 2024 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Jun 11, 2024
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 11, 2024 · Original Source