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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Joe's Breakfast & Grill

1156 1/2 W 51st St

Last inspected Mar 4, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

Mar 4, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 9Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

Inspector’s notes

Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food items, Observed several food handlers handling toasted slices of bread, cheese and bacon with bare hands. Instructed manager not to use bare hands when handling such foods. Priority violation 7-38-010.

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

Observed clean utensils placed on cloth towels after washing, instructed not to use cloth in drying process.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 4, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 25, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AND DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT THE FRONT PREP AREA 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SIGNAGE AND PAPER TOWELS FROM 2-COMPARTMENT SINK AND PROVIDE HANDWASHING AIDS AND DEVICES SUCH AS PAPER TOWEL DISPENSERS ONLY AT SINKS DESIGNATED FOR HANDWASHING AND MAINTAIN.

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 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS STORED ABOVE CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE ITEMS AND STORE EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS IN A LOCATION THAT DOES NOT POSE RISK OF CONTAMINATION TO FOOD OR CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BOX OF SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES (PLASTIC CUPS AND LIDS) IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE CUPS AND LIDS AND MAINTAIN ALL SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT WITHOUT RINSING BETWEEN STEPS AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO USE DISTINCT, SEPARATE WATER RINSE AFTER WASHING AND BEFORE SANITIZING DURING WAREWASHING WHEN UTILIZING A 3-COMPARTMENT SINK 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 problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE ON THE FLOOR BENEATH DEEP FRYER AND GRIDDLE AT THE MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS BENEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE 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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 9, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MINOR LEAK FROM PIPE UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO 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 problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

NOTED CLUTTER OF UNUSED ITEMS AND CARBOARD BOXES ON FLOORS IN STORAGE ROOMS.MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS TO ALLOW CLEANING AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (HAMBURGERS, EGGS) HAS BEEN PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. 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 issues
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINER WITH DRY PRODUCTS (GRAVY) WITHOUT PROPER COMMON FOOD NAME MARKINGS. MUST LABEL BULK AND WORKING FOOD CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS COMMON NAME. MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 9, 2024 · Original Source

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