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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Uncle Remus

5611 W Madison St

Last inspected Jun 26, 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

6 inspections

Canvass

Jun 26, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TCS FOOD (CHICKEN 170.8F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT FRONT HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLEAN MULTI-USE CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RE-WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AND PROPERLY STORE CONTAINERS OFF FLOOR.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVERS IN PREP AND WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVERS IN ALL AREAS.

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 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

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 26, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Feb 9, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 9, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

May 29, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-201.11 OBSERVED CEILING TILE IN FRONT OF PREP AREA WITH BROWN WATER DAMAGE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE/REPAIR.

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 29, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

May 21, 2025

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CEILING TILE IN FRONT PREP AREA WITH BROWN WATER DAMAGE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE/REPAIR.

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 VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2594325 DATED: 5/2/24 NOT CORRECTED; #38-OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOORS LEADING TO RECEPTACLE AREA WITH AT LEAST 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. #49-OBSERVED INTERIOR SURFACES OF 2-DOOR COOLER WITH EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF DRIED FOOD RESIDUE AS WELL AS 2-DOOR FREEZER LOCATED IN FRONT PREP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #56-NOTED WALK-IN COOLER BULB NOT PROPERLY WORKING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION (FLICKERING) INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 21, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

May 9, 2024

Pass

7 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-601.11 OBSERVED LARGE BUCKET CONTAINING MIXED SEASONINGS WITHOUT A LABEL, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COMMON NAME AND MAINTAIN.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15 OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOORS LEADING TO RECEPTACLE AREA WITH AT LEAST 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY

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

4-101.19 OBSERVED CARDBOARD ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS USED ON PREP TABLE LINERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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

4-601.11(C) OBSERVED INTERIOR SURFACES OF 2-DOOR COOLER WITH EXCESSIVE SMOUNS OF DRIED FOOD RESIDUE AS WELL AS 2-DOOR FREEZER LOCATED IN FRONT PREP. 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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

6-501.19 OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR IN PLACE FOR UNISEX TOILET ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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

6-303.11 NOTED WALK-IN COOLER BULB NOT PROPERLY WORKING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION (FLICKERING) INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

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

2-102.13 OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR ALL NEW EMPLOYEES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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, May 9, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

May 2, 2024

Fail

8 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LARGE BUCKET CONTAINING MIXED SEASONINGS WITHOUT A LABEL, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COMMON NAME AND MAINTAIN.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CARDBOARD ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS USED ON PREP TABLE LINERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR ALL NEW EMPLOYEES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOORS LEADING TO RECEPTACLE AREA WITH AT LEAST 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, COLE SLAW, FISH). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE CFM ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED INTERIOR SURFACES OF 2-DOOR COOLER WITH EXCESSIVE SMOUNS OF DRIED FOOD RESIDUE AS WELL AS 2-DOOR FREEZER LOCATED IN FRONT PREP. 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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR IN PLACE FOR UNISEX TOILET ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 WALK-IN COOLER BULB NOT PROPERLY WORKING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION (FLICKERING) INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE

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, May 2, 2024 · Original Source

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