CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at THE BLACK BARREL TAVERN in an inspection dated 04/10/2023.
Located at 1061 W MADISON ST in the West Loop area, the establishment serves the local community. The West Loop neighborhood maintains numerous food service establishments that undergo regular health monitoring.
The inspection identified 3 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation related to temperature control. Inspectors documented: City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate - Comments: Observed No Certified Manager on Duty While Tcs Foods (hamburgers, Chicken) Were Prepared and Served. Instructed to Maintain an Employee Holding a Valid City of Chicago Foodservice Manager Certificate on Site at All Times. Priority Foundation Violation 7-38-012. Citation Issued. the City of Chicago Food Manager Arrived on Site at the Inspection End.. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus can produce toxins in improperly stored food that are not destroyed by reheating.
The second violation concerned hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied and Accessible - Comments: Observed No Soap at the Basement Prep/dish Area Handwashing Sink. Instructed Management That All Handwashing Sinks Must Be Supplied with Soap. Priority Foundation 7-38-030-(c). Citation Issued. Management Provided Soap at Said Sink.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food.
The third violation related to hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied and Accessible - Comments: Observed No Paper Towels at the Basement Prep/dish Area Handwashing Sink. Instructed Management That All Handwashing Sinks Must Be Equipped with a Hand Drying Provision at All Times. Priority Foundation 7-38-030(c). Combined Wi. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food.
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 04/10/2023 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: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE WASHROOM AT THE WASHBOWL SINK OR THE HAND-SINK IN THE BAR PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWELS FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE KITCHEN REFRIGERATOR, SUCH AS 10LBS OF EGG ROLLS AT 47.2F AND 2LBS OF EGGS AT 53.8F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 12LBS AT $120. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 48.1F AT REFRIGERATOR IN KITCHEN. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). TAGGED UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT PREP AND STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLERS OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR THE HAND SINK DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE KITCHEN PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 5LBS OF BEEF SHORT RIBS AT 48.2F. THE MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 5LBS AT $50. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.; HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HOT WATER ON PREMISES. HOT WATER IS NOT OBSERVED AT THE FOLLOWING SINKS: ALL PREP HANDSINKS, ALL WASHBOWL SINKS, 1-COMPARTMENT SINK, AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. THE INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF HOT WATER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE PEAK HOT WATER DEMANDS THROUGH THE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. HOT WATER WAS RESTORED DURING THE INSPECTION. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND DISH MACHINE, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP AND - OR GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS (HAMBURGERS, CHICKEN) WERE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT THE INSPECTION END.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT THE BASEMENT PREP/DISH AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE SUPPLIED WITH SOAP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030-(C). CITATION ISSUED. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED SOAP AT SAID SINK.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE BASEMENT PREP/DISH AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). COMBINED WITH ABOVE CITATION. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS AT SAID SINK.; CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED AN INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOODS ON THE CURRENT MENU - THE ADVISORY IS MISSING A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ADD A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO THE CURRENT ADVISORY THAT SAYS "ITEMS CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS" AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED OVER 75 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE BASEMENT AREAS. FOUND APPROXIMATELY 50 ON THE WALLS, CEILING, EQUIPMENT, AND COUNTERS IN THE BASEMENT DISH/PREP AREA, 15 ON THE WALLS AND CEILING IN THE EMPLOYEE/TO-GO ITEM STORAGE HALLWAY, AND 10 IN THE BASEMENT BAR ON SINKS AND THE CEILING. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY FROM THE PREMISES AND TO CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-501.11 OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON THE DOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A BUILD-UP OF DIRT AND GRIME ON THE WALL IN THE BASEMENT DISH AREA AND A WALL-MOUNTED POTATO CUTTER IN THE SAME AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION..
Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus can produce toxins in improperly stored food that are not destroyed by reheating. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food. Inadequate handwashing can transmit Norovirus, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens directly to food.
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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