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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Red Pepper's Lounge

426 E 87th St

Last inspected Aug 17, 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

3 inspections

Complaint Re-Inspection

Aug 17, 2026

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13//OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN COPY 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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 17, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Aug 7, 2026

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED REAR ICE MACHINE WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED AT BELOW ICE BIN.ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, 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 problems
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

NOTED REAR VERTICAL CHEST FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE BUILD UP.

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

NOTED SLOW DRAIN AT ALL COMPARTMENTS OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO UNCLOG 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN COPY 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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 7, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 21, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

ICE SCOOP NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE AT THE FRONT WEST BAR. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN BIN/CONTAINER OR IN THE ICE HANDLE UP WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

BAR GUN HOLDER IN THE FRONT EAST BAR WITH PINKISH BUILD UP. -INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR WITH A BLACK AND PINKISH BUILD UP ON THE WHITE PANEL. -INTERIOR OF THE MOP SINK WITH BLACK STAINS. -REAR REACH IN FREEZER WITH THICK ICE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

HOT WATER PRESSURE AT THE REAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IS LOW. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE 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

FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE BAR, STORAGE AND PREP AREAS WITH FOOD, DIRT AND 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 problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

THE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE TOILET ROOMS NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN WORKING VENTILATION.

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, Oct 21, 2024 · Original Source

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