Non-Inspection
Aug 31, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 31, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Honky Tonk Barbeque
1800 S Racine Ave
Last inspected Aug 31, 2026 · 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
9 inspectionsComplaint
Aug 26, 2026
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE HOT HOLDING UNIT IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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 issuesnotedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED UNDER TABLE WITH HOT HOLDING UNITS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD ITEMS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE AND MAINTAIN.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER THE DISHWASHING MACHINE WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 26, 2026 · Original Source
Complaint
Aug 10, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 10, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Oct 2, 2025
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
4-402.12: OBSERVED THE A SMALL OPENING IN THE CREVICES OF THE LOWER WALL/FLOOR BEHIND THE BULK DRY INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE LIDS ON THE BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS WITH DEBRIS AND ONE LID WAS CRACKED. ALSO FOUND GREASE BUILD UP ON THE SHELF UNDER THE GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
2-102.13: FOUND NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO TAKE ALLERGEN COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
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, Oct 2, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Sep 11, 2025
Fail
6 recorded violations
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
UPON ENTRY, I OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE, WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE BEFORE THE CONCLUSION OF THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, 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 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE (NOT IN USE AT THIS TIME) REACHING PROPER FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE. FOUND THE FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE AT 175F ON FINAL RINSE GAUAGE AND 125F ON THE IRREVERSIBLE THERMOMETER DISK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. UNIT TAGGED AND MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL TAG IS REMOVED. PLEASE REVIEW COMMENTS FOT TAG REMOVAL. DISHWASHING MACHINE WAS CONVERTED TO CHEMICAL, ADVISED NOT TO USE HOT WATER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025, NO 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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY TWO LIVE ROACHES AND 3 BIG FLIES. FOUND THE ROACH ACTIVITY IN THE LOWER CREVICES BEHIND THE BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. THE BIG FLIES WERE OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP/SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE ROACH AND FLY ACTIVITY AND RECOMMEND CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. 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 THE A SMALL OPENING IN THE CREVICES OF THE LOWER WALL/FLOOR BEHIND THE BULK DRY INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE LIDS ON THE BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS WITH DEBRIS AND ONE LID WAS CRACKED. ALSO FOUND GREASE BUILD UP ON THE SHELF UNDER THE GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
FOUND NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO TAKE ALLERGEN COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
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, Sep 11, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Jun 17, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 17, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Jun 7, 2024
Fail
4 recorded violations
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
4-501.112(A:1&2) OBSERVED THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING AT 180F; AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION, THE FACILITY WAS NOT SANITIZING ANY EQUIPMENT OR UTENSILS IN THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND WAS WASHING, RINSING, AND SANITIZING AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SO THAT THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IS PROPERLY SANITIZED AT 180F AT ALL TIMES. THE MANAGER SWITCHED THE DISH MACHINE TO LOW TEMPERATURE, AND BY THE END OF THE INSPECTION, THE DISH MACHINE WAS PROPERLY SANITIZED AT 100 CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED 7-38-025.
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 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES BY THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
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 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s notes
4-204.115 OBSERVED THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE GAUGES IN POOR REPAIR AND NOT MEASURING THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURES FOR THE WASH AND RINSE CYCLES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
6-501.12 OBSERVED DIRT DEBRIS IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE, UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS.
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 7, 2024 · Original Source
Complaint Re-Inspection
Oct 11, 2023
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 11, 2023 · Original Source
Complaint
Oct 4, 2023
Fail
6 recorded violations
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
FOUND AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACE OF THE ICE MACHINE. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MUST CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
FOUND APPROX. 30 - 40 SMALL FLIES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. NOTED FLIES AT BAR ABOVE HANDWASHING SINK, IN ALL DINING AREAS AND IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MINIMIZE FLY ACTIVITY. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. 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 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
FOUND CONTINUED NON- COMPLIANCE FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2563362 CONDUCTED ON 9/8/22. THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS WERE NOT CORRECTED: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NOT ALL MANAGERS WITH AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT. 6-202.15 OBSERVED SIDE ENTRANCE DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING WITH A 1/4 INCH GAP AT THE FAR LEFT BOTTOM CORNER AND FAR LEFT TOP CORNER OF SAID DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE SAID DOOR TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY . 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 findingnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING CLEANSER AT HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED AT BAR. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH HAND CLEANING LIQUID AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. 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.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
FOUND SPRAYER DRAIN PIPE LEAKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
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 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF UNISEX EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM AND UNISEX CUSTOMER TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
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, Oct 4, 2023 · Original Source