License
Aug 26, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 26, 2025 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Earl's BBQ
4835 N Austin Ave
Last inspected Aug 26, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
6 inspectionsComplaint Re-Inspection
Aug 26, 2025
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ONE MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CEILING TILE WHICH MUST BE TIGHT FITTED.
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 26, 2025 · Original Source
Complaint
Aug 19, 2025
Fail
2 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED 2 LIVE ROACHES ON PREP AREA FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REMOVE ALL ROACH ACTIVITY ON PREMISES BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). ADVISED TO CALL PEST CONTROL OPERATOR FOR SERVICE.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ONE MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CEILING TILE WHICH MUST BE TIGHT FITTED.
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 19, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Apr 22, 2025
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official wording
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS STORED IMPROPERLY FOR CUSTOMER SELF SERVICE. STORE SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES FACING OUT IN ORDER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 22, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Apr 30, 2024
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTBULBS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 30, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Apr 23, 2024
Fail
4 recorded violations
notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
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 issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
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 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTBULBS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
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 issuesnotedCode 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2579377 DATED 8/1/2023: #38 "OBSERVED GAP AT BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE" #51 "OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCETS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN." #53 "OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE OF UNISEX WASHROOM LOCATED NEAR ROOM WITH MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN." #57 "OBSERVED ONLY ONE VALID CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES." #58 "OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER WITH EXPIRED OR NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGERS." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 23, 2024 · Original Source