CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at FRIEND'S BBQ during a routine inspection conducted on 04/07/2023.
Located at 2358 S WENTWORTH AVE in the Bridgeport area, the establishment serves the local community. The Bridgeport neighborhood maintains numerous food service establishments that undergo regular health monitoring.
The inspection identified 9 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.
The first violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Management, Food Employee and Conditional Employee. Non-compliance with safety standards may create conditions that compromise food safety.
The second violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Knowledge, Responsibilities and Reporting - Comments: No Employee Health Policies on Premises As Required. Regulatory standards exist to minimize health risks to consumers.
The third violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Must Provide. Instructed the Person in Charge to Provide Documentation of Employees Responsibility to Report Any Illness Transmissible Through Food. Priority Foundation Violation 7-38-010.. Violations of health codes can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
The fourth violation involved pest control. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed Tape at Bottom of Rear Exit Door to the Kitchen. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine.
The fifth violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Instructed to Remove and Provide a Proper Door Sweep. Observed a 1/4 Inch Opening at Bottom of the Front Door. Health code violations require correction to maintain safe operating conditions.
The sixth violation related to pest prevention. Inspectors documented: Instructed to Rodent Proof Door to Seal Opening.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.
The seventh violation related to pest control. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed 8-10 Baby Roaches Inside of Deep Fryer in the Kitchen. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Pest droppings and debris can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in sensitive individuals.
The eighth violation concerned sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Instructed to Clean Fryer. Found 80 or More Mouse Droppings on the Floor and Wall Ledge in the Basement Area. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The 9th violation concerned pest prevention. Inspectors documented: Instructed to Clean All Droppings. Have Pest Control Company Service Establishment for Roaches and Mice Prior to Reinspection. Priority Foundation Violation 7-38-020. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Pest droppings and debris can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in sensitive individuals.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/07/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-501.112: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE WOOD PLANKS AND FLOORS NEAR THE DEEP FREEZER CHEST IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED SLIGHT FOOD SPLATTERS INSIDE THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: 5-501.115: OBSERVED THE OUTDOOR GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. PILES OF TRASH NEAR RECEPTACLES OBSERVED DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS NEAR THE ICE MACHINE AND UNDER THE DEEP-FRYING UNIT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH GREASE BUILD UP AND A STICKY SUBTANCE IN THE MENTIONED AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS NEAR THE ICE MACHINE AND UNDER THE DEEP-FRYING UNIT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH GREASE BUILD UP AND A STICKY SUBTANCE IN THE MENTIONED AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE WOOD PLANKS AND FLOORS NEAR THE DEEP FREEZER CHEST IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES AND MAINTAIN.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 MICE DROPPINGS AND 2 LIVE ROACHES ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. THE MICE DROPPINGS WERE OBSERVED ON THE LOWER SHELVES UNDER A FOOD PREP TABLE NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR AND IN THE FLOORS WHERE THE CHEMICALS ARE STORED NEARTHE REAR EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. THE LIVE ROACHES WERE OBSERVED ON THE FLOORS SURROUNDING THE FREEZER CHEST IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE ROACH ACTIVITY AND REMOVE MICE DROPPINGS AND MAINTAIN. PEST CONTROL ARRIVED ON SITE, DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SLIGHT FOOD SPLATTERS INSIDE THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THE OUTDOOR GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. PILES OF TRASH NEAR RECEPTACLES OBSERVED DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOORS NEAR THE ICE MACHINE AND UNDER THE DEEP-FRYING UNIT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH GREASE BUILD UP AND A STICKY SUBTANCE IN THE MENTIONED AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE LOWER SHELVES UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES WITH BROKEN DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES. ALSO, OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE REAR CHEMICAL STORAGE AREA, NEAR THE EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS, DECLUTTER, AND MAINTAIN.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED TAPE AT BOTTOM OF REAR EXIT DOOR TO THE KITCHEN; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE A PROPER DOOR SWEEP. OBSERVED A 1/4 INCH OPENING AT BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF DOOR TO SEAL OPENING.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT (COOKING, REFRIGERATION UNITS, PREP TABLES).; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT, CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. CLEAN WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. CLEAN CEILING TILE/PANELING. CLEAN CEILING VENT FANS IN WASHROOMS TO REMOVE DUST.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS NEED THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS NEED THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.; MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED TAPE AT BOTTOM OF REAR EXIT DOOR TO THE KITCHEN; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE A PROPER DOOR SWEEP. OBSERVED A 1/4 INCH OPENING AT BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF DOOR TO SEAL OPENING.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 8-10 BABY ROACHES INSIDE OF DEEP FRYER IN THE KITCHEN; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FRYER. FOUND 80 OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR AND WALL LEDGE IN THE BASEMENT AREA; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL DROPPINGS. HAVE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT FOR ROACHES AND MICE PRIOR TO REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: FOUND A DEAD MOUSE ON THE BASEMENT FLOOR; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT (COOKING, REFRIGERATION UNITS, PREP TABLES).; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT, CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. CLEAN WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. CLEAN CEILING TILE/PANELING. CLEAN CEILING VENT FANS IN WASHROOMS TO REMOVE DUST.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN BASEMENT AREA; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TO AVOID CLUTTER AND RODENT HARBORAGE.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEEDS CLEANING TO REMOVE DUST/GREASE OBSERVED.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS NEED THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS NEED THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING..
Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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