Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Mr. J's

Name: Mr. J's
Address: 822 N State St, Chicago, IL

822 N State St

Last inspected Jun 23, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Mr. J's has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist

More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Canvass

Jun 23, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARD IN FRONT OF THE HOT PREP STATION YELLOW STAINED WITH DEEP CUTTING GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINTAION.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE TWO DOOR LOWER REACH IN COLD PREP COOLING UNIT IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. 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 problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE AIR VENT COVERS IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING FROM HEAVY DUST BUILD UP THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY (FRONT SITTING AREA, REAR COOKING AREA AND DISH WASHING AREA) INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

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, Jun 23, 2026 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Dec 16, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 16, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Jun 18, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER:-HAMBURGERS 52.8F/55F, HOT DOGS 53.6F, POLISH SAUSAGE 55F, ITALIAN BEEF 51.7F, CHICKEN 59F/54.3F, MILK 51F, CHEESE 57F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 80 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $350.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE. NOTED TEMPERATURE OF SERVICE COOLER AT THE PREP AREA TO BE IMPROPER AT 55F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE EQUIPMENT UNTIL MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE 2 DOOR FREEZER AT THE KITCHEN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.

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

NOTED DIRTY AND DUSTY ACCUMULATION ON CEILING FANS AT THE REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS. 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 problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

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, Jun 18, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 23, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MULTIPLE BADLY STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE LOBBY AREA OVER THE TABLES WHERE CUSTOMERS EAT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HOOD VENTILATION FILTERS WITH A BLACK, GREASE STAINED BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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, Jan 23, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Feb 16, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 16, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 8, 2024

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 20 OR MORE SMALL LIVE FLIES LOCATED IN WASHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY, CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE ON OR AFTER 2/8/2024. 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ONLY FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NON WORKING METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WORKING METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES TO ENSURE ATTAINMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF FOOD TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS SHELF LINER IN BASE OF TWO DOOR FREEZER IN REAR AND TOWEL UNDERNEATH JAR OF SPORTS PEPPERS ON SHELF IN REAR STORAGE ABOVE PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TOWEL AND CARDBOARD AS LINER NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES SHALL BE SMOOTH FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2571564 DATED 02/22/2023 NOT CORRECTED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED. BACKFLOW PREVENTION NOT FOUND ON MOP SINK. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE