Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Mother's Ruin

Name: Mother's Ruin
Address: 2943 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

2943 N Milwaukee Ave

Last inspected Aug 26, 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

Complaint Re-Inspection

Aug 26, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (DEEP FRYERS, GRIDDLE) IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL 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 THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL FACILITIES TO BE SOILED: WALL BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA SOILED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, WALL BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BAR AREA SOILED WITH FRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS 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, Aug 26, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Aug 21, 2025

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING HANDWASHING SINKS TO PROVIDE WATER AT LESS THAN THE REQUIRED MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 75.0F AT THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA HANDWASHING SINK, 78.0F AT THE LEFT-HAND UNISEX WASHROOM, 88.0F AT THE RIGHT-HAND UNISEX WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LISTED HANDWASHING SINKS TO PROVIDE MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100.0F AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY 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.

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30-40 RODENT DROPPINGS AND RODENT FUR PRESENT DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR BASEMENT AREA (ACROSS FROM WATER HEATERS). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RODENT DROPPINGS AND FUR, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREA(S), AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO ELIMINATE ALL EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON-SITE. 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 insects

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

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

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, Aug 21, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 9, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS, SUCH AS CHICKEN, WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GROOVES AND DARK STAINS ON CUTTING BOARD IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED REPAIR OR REPLACE 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 problems

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LOW WATER PRESSURE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BOTH COOKS IN REAR KITCHEN PREP AREA WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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

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