Canvass
Jul 24, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 24, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Will's Northwoods Inn
3032-3034 N Racine Ave
Last inspected Jul 24, 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 inspectionsCanvass
Jul 1, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
10 recorded violations
notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
Inspector’s notes
PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
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 issuesnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE NOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVIE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED SUCH AS HAMBURGERS, CHICKEN WINGS ETC. INSTRUCTED ABOVE TO OPERATE WITH A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER AND PROVIDE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANIATION CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. 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 issuesnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN FRONT AND OUTSIDE BAR AREAS AND INSIDE THE UNISEX CUSTOMERS/EMPLYEES WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE SIGNS OR POSTERS.
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 problemsnotedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED ON THE BASEMENT. OBSERVED RAW BURGERS AT INTERNAL TEMPERATURE RANGING BETWEEN 51.2F TO 52.7F AND RAW CHICKEN AT TEMPERATURE OF 49.9F TO 52.6F. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS AT TEMPERATURE OF 41.00F OR BELOW. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 90# OF FOOD VALUE OF $316. 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 temperaturenotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR WITH A GAP BETWEEN DOOR AND FRAME. MUST MAKE DOOR RODENT PROOF 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 insectsnotedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF SINKS IN FRONT BAR AREAS AND ON PREP TABLES IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
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 problemsnotedCode 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE ICE BINS IN FRONT BAR AREA AND OUTSIDE BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT 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 issuesnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE SHELVING.
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 problemsnotedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDE INSIDE THE UNISEX CUSTOMERS/EMPLYEES WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE A COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE 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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN 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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 1, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Aug 28, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
3 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN PREPARATION COOLER IN REAR KITCHEN: BURGERS AT 50.1F, CHICKEN AT 48.9F, MSAUSAGE AT 50.1F, AND EGGS AT 52.3F. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED ALL ITEMS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. APPROX. 15 LBS WITH A $75 VALUE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES.
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 temperaturenotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND SINK IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON LEFT SIDE TO PREVENT AGAINST POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR EACH CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR EACH CERTIFIED MANAGER ON PREMISES.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 28, 2024 · Original Source