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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

The Hat

1604 W North Ave

Last inspected May 18, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

5 inspections

Canvass

May 18, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 23Food source and labeling

Official wording

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER DATE MARKING ON COOKED/ READY TO EAT FOOD PREPARED TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (PREPACKAGED SALADS, RIB TIPS, AND CHICKEN) NOT PROPERLY DATED STORED LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN MULTIPLE COOLERS FOUND ON SITE. NO DATES WERE OBSERVED ON THE FOOD MENTIONED FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR RTE FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES FOUND IN USE AND STORAGE IN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. CARDBOARD BOXES ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER, STORED ON THE SIDE OF STORAGE SHELF NEAR WALK-IN COOLER, AND UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE 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 18, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Mar 28, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 28, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 19, 2025

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BEEF HELD AT AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 47 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. THE MANAGER DISCARDED 10 POUNDS OF BEEF ($55), AND A PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION WAS 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OUTSIDE DUMPSTER RECEPTACLE UNABLE TO CLOSE FULLY. THE DUMPSTER WAS FILLED PAST CAPACITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE LIDS ARE CLOSED AND TIGHT FITTING AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B).

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, Mar 19, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 17, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 17, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 13, 2024

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MILK HELD AT AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 48 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. THE MANAGER DISCARDED 1/2 GALLON OF MILK ($3), AND A PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION WAS 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

OBSERVED COOLER WITH AN INADEQUATE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 48 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS HAVE AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED 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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 15 SMALL FLIES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY, INCLUDING IN THE DINING ROOM, NEAR THE STORAGE AND DISH AREA OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MINIMIZE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY. PEST CONTROL SERVICE RECOMMENDED. 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH LIGHT GREASE BUILD-UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.

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 FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR AROUND VARIOUS EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS GRIDDLES AND COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.

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, Jun 13, 2024 · Original Source

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