Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Smoque BBQ

Name: Smoque BBQ
Address: 3800 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

3800 N Pulaski Rd

Last inspected Apr 14, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass w/ Conditions

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Smoque BBQ 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

Apr 14, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP OF YELLOW SLIME IN INTERIOR OR ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR OF THE FREEZER IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.

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 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WASTE WATER SPILLING ONTO FLOOR FROM DRAIN PIPES WHEN DRAINING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DRAIN SLOWLY WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE PLUMBER TO COME FIX IT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO GET PIPES CLEANED TO PREVENT BACK UP ONTO FLOOR OF FACILITY. PLUMBER ARRIVED ON SITE WHILE DOING REPORT TO FIX THE PLUMMING ISSUES. PRIORITY. 7-38-030(c). CITATION ISSUED.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 2 BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS ON THE SMOKERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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, Apr 14, 2026 · Original Source

License

Apr 14, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 14, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 12, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP OF YELLOW SLIME IN INTERIOR OR ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 12, 2025 · Original Source

License

Aug 12, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 12, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 6, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOOD ITEMS (COOKED PASTA, BRISKET, CHILI) IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR WALK-IN COOLERS STORED COVERED BY CONTAINER LIDS WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS LOOSLY-COVERED OR UNCOVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING AND MAINTAIN.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOT PEDALS AT FRONT AREA HANDWASHING SINK IN POOR REPAIR, BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HANDWAHSING SINK FOOT PEDALS AT FRONT AREA AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GRATE AT OUTDOOR WASTE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLE HEAVILY-SOILED WITH BUILD-UP GREASE DEPOSITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OUTDOOR WASTE AND GREASE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL OR GREASE 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

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WOODEN DOOR FRAME AT REAR EXTERIOR DOOR (NEAR CATERING PREP AREA) IN POOR REPAIR AND NOT EASILY-CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR FRAME AT REAR EXTERIOR DOOR AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES ADJACENT TO FOOD PREP AREAS EASILY-CLEANABLE.

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, Feb 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 15, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR NOT COMPLETELY RODENT PROOFED AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLETELY RODENT PROOF DOOR BY SEALING 1/4 GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT (DEEP FRYER) BEING STORED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE 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, May 15, 2024 · Original Source