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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

The Harding Tavern

2732 N Milwaukee Ave

Last inspected Dec 10, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

2 inspections

Canvass

Dec 10, 2025

Pass

7 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A GAP IN CENTER OF FRONT DOUBLE ENTRY DOORS MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN PREP AREA AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.

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

MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINET AND OVEN.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE A LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL TILES ABOVE SINK IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM,LOOSE CEILING TILE HANGER IN PREP AREA,LOOSE CAULKING AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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

MUST CLEAN GREASE FROM HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR SOME EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 10, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 22, 2024

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT BAR AREA 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND BAR AREA DUMP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE HAND SOAP FROM 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND DUMP SINK AND PROVIDE SOAP, DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS, OR OTHER HANDWASHING AIDS EXCLUSIVELY TO SINKS DESIGNATED AS HANDWASHING SINKS 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COOKED CHICKEN WINGS IN THE 2-DOOR LINE COOLER IN THE KITCHEN AREA STORED COVERED BY FOOD-GRADE PLASTIC WRAP WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP AND STORE ITEMS LOOSELY-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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER PROVIDED IN THE BAR AREA 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER OR KITCHEN AREA 3-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWEABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UTENSILS AND SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES (STYROFOAM TO-GO CONTAINERS) STORED NOT INVERTED/UNCOVERED AT THE KITCHEN AREA SERVICE LINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CLEAN EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, AND SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES COVERED OR INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE INSTALLED AT THE UTILITY SINK IN POOR REPAIR, BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT THE UTILITY SINK 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 OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLE LIDS TO BE CRACKED AND IN POOR REPAIR, LIDS STILL FULLY COVER RECEPTACLES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLE LIDS AND MAINTAIN WASTE RECEPTACLES IN GOOD REPAIR.

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 22, 2024 · Original Source

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