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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Handlebar Chicago

2311 W North Ave

Last inspected Nov 20, 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

3 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 20, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 20, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 12, 2025

Fail

12 recorded violations

notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES FOR SOME EMPLOYEE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 issues
notedCode 8Handwashing

Official wording

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY SEVERAL FOOD HANDLERS SUCH AS FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WAS PLACING PEPPERS ON SKEWERS AND LEFT FROM BAR AREA PREPPING AND CAME BACK INTO AREA WITH GLOVES ON AND CONTINUED TO HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS,THE SAME EMPLOYEE WAS WASHING DISHES AT THE BAR AND THEN HANDLED TWO GLASSES OF ICE WATER,THEN ANOTHER FEMALE EMPLOYEE LEFT MAIN PREP AREA AND CAME BACK AND PUT ON GLOVES WITHOUT WASHING HANDS MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAIMINTAION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(COS)(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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINKS NOT ACCESSIBLE SUCH AS IN BAR AREA HAND SINK BASIN WAS FILLED WITH ICE CUBES AND MAIN PREP AREA SINK HAD A LARGE STRAINER INSIDE OF BASIN AND TONGS HANGING FROM FAUCET.ARTICLES WERE REMOVED DURING INSPECTION MUST KEEP HAND SINKS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS .5LBS. COOKED STEW-89.6F ON LOWER SHELF OF STEAM TABLE IN A POT. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE. APPX. .5LBS.$10(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)

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 IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS COOKED FOODS DATED 11/10/25 INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER SUCH AS 5 GALLONS-COOKED BLACK BEANS-45.1F AND 3.5 GALLONS-GROUND STEW-45.3F.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.APPX.8.5 GALLONS $180. (PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 25 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND IN BAR AREA,ON PAPER GOODS AND BOXES LEADING TO BASEMENT ON CEILING AND WIRES AT MOP SINK AREA IN BASEMENT .RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 11/12/25 (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 insects
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUCKETS OF FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER MUST ELEVATE AND STORE PROPERLY TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLE IN BASEMENT.

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 46Other

Official wording

GLOVES USED PROPERLY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLERS.(COS)

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON BASEMENT JUICE COOLER AND 1- DOOR DESSERT REACH IN FREEZER.

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL NEAR MOP SINK AND BAR AREA HAND SINK,EPOXY FLOORING IN BASEMENT IN POOR REPAIR MUST MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.MUST GROUT FLOOR TILES IN BAR AREA.

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 12, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 19, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GRILLED ONIONS AT 115.5F STORED IN METAL FOOD CONTAINER AT THE HOT HOLDING TABLE IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD GRILLED ONIONS AT IMPROPER HOT-HOLDING TEMPERATURE AND MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE FOR HOT-HOLDING. APPROXIMATELY 2 LBS OF FOOD VALUED APPROXIMATELY $10.00 DISCARDED ON SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED GRILLED ONIONS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. 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 THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING: GUACAMOLE AT 49.7F AND COLESLAW AT 46.8F AT THE MAIN PREP AREA ICE BIN, COOKED MUSHROOMS AT 45.5F IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD TCS FOOD AT IMPROPER COLD-HOLDING TEMPERATURES AND MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOOD ITEMS AT 41.0F OR BELOW FOR COLD-HOLDING. APPROXIMATELY 23 LBS OF FOOD VALUED APPROXIMATELY $90.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED LISTED TCS FOOD ITEMS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

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 SEVERAL TCS FOOD ITEMS THROUGHOUT FACILITY STORED COVERED IN FOOD-GRADE PLASTIC WRAP WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS UNCOVERED OR LOOSELY-COVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING AND MAINTAIN.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLEAN LINENS AND EQUIPMENT STORED ON DRYING RACK NEXT TO HANDWASHING SINK IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA HALLWAY WITHOUT ADEQUATE SPLASH PROTECTION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SPLASH GUARD ON HANDWASHING SINK IN THIS AREA OR RELOCATE CLEAN LINENS AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO SPLASH OR OTHER CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ALONG EDGES OF MAIN KITCHEN AREA VENTILATION HOOD AND VENT FILTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.

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, Nov 19, 2024 · Original Source

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