CHICAGO, IL - City health officials cited the Original Uncle Johns Barbecue for health violations during an inspection on 08/04/2025.
the Original Uncle Johns Barbecue is positioned at 8247-8249 S Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago Illinois in the Chatham area, drawing neighborhood patrons and tourists.
The inspection details: "6. Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use - comments: observed employees eating in food prep area. Observed no hand washing sign at front hand washing sink." These circumstances require correction according to industry standards.
The inspection found infractions involving hand washing, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Public health officials identify poor hand hygiene as a primary factor in foodborne illness transmission Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that Proper hand hygiene represents the single most effective method for preventing cross-contamination in food service. The CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
Among the findings were infractions involving pest control, a key component of food safety protocols.
Industry experts consistently emphasize the critical importance of proper pest control protocols. The HACCP Prevention Guidelines clearly states that The FDA Food Code mandates that food storage areas remain free from pest contamination at all times.
Among the findings were infractions involving sanitation, a key component of food safety protocols.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive sanitation practices. Studies from public health organizations show that Federal regulators use FDA sanitation guidelines as the benchmark for evaluating food service establishment compliance. The Food Safety Modernization Act offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
Among the findings were infractions involving temperature control, a key component of food safety protocols.
Industry experts consistently emphasize the critical importance of proper temperature control protocols. The HACCP Temperature Monitoring clearly states that Temperature abuse remains the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings.
The implications extend to broader community food safety standards. Health department data shows that correction of violations helps maintain community health standards.
Under current regulations, the Original Uncle Johns Barbecue faces additional penalties if violations are not promptly corrected. The health department maintains detailed records of all inspection results for public transparency.
The broader restaurant industry can learn valuable lessons from such cases, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance to food safety standards. Consumer awareness remains a crucial component in maintaining community food safety.
| Inspection ID | 2621685 |
| DBA Name | THE ORIGINAL UNCLE JOHNS BARBECUE |
| AKA Name | THE ORIGINAL UNCLE JOHNS BARBECUE |
| License # | 2900877 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 8247-8249 S COTTAGE GROVE AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60619 |
| Inspection Date | 08/04/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 6. PROPER EATING |
| OR TOBACCO USE - Comments | OBSERVED EMPLOYEES EATING IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEE MEALS OUTSIDE OF PREP AREA. | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES. | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD. | 38. INSECTS |
| & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments | OBSERVED OVER 100 MICE DROPPINGS ON SHELVING UNITS |
| STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments | OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT |
| ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. | 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments | OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. |
| Latitude | 41.744403764576134 |
| Longitude | -87.6048992274111 |
| Location | (41.744403764576134 |
This inspection was conducted on August 4, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: hand-washing, pest-control, sanitation, temperature-control.
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
All inspection data for this report is sourced directly from the Chicago Department of Public Health . View the original data source .
Food safety standards referenced in this report are based on:
Important Note: This article is based on official inspection reports at the time of inspection. Current conditions may differ. Always check the most recent inspection results before dining. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
