CHICAGO, IL - Food safety inspectors found regulatory violations at Jerk 48 during an inspection on 08/05/2025.
Jerk 48 is positioned at 548 E 67Th Street Chicago Illinois in the Woodlawn area, drawing neighborhood patrons and tourists.
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Health department documentation states: "Observed food items improperly thawing in standing water. 38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present - comments: observed over 100 mice droppings scattered on shelves behind front counter, inside boxes, on floor under shelving unit, inside bottom..." Such infractions require correction to meet regulatory standards.
Health department officials noted violations related to hand washing, which require attention for public health compliance.
Restaurant industry standards emphasize hand washing as fundamental to food safety protocols Data compiled by food safety institutions reveals that The CDC emphasizes that inadequate hand washing contributes to approximately 89% of foodborne illness outbreaks. Per FDA Hand Washing Standards, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
The examination revealed violations related to pest control, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Food safety professionals regularly stress the essential nature of adequate pest control procedures. As outlined in FDA Pest Control Guidelines, Federal food safety regulations require all food service establishments to maintain comprehensive pest exclusion programs. These federal guidelines guarantee that restaurants adhere to strict health requirements.
The examination revealed violations related to sanitation, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Industry best practices require establishments to maintain rigorous cleaning schedules and equipment maintenance According to FDA Sanitation Standards, Federal regulators use FDA sanitation guidelines as the benchmark for evaluating food service establishment compliance. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
Health department officials noted violations related to temperature control, which require attention for public health compliance.
Industry research indicates that improper food temperatures can allow dangerous bacteria to multiply rapidly Data compiled by food safety institutions reveals that Temperature abuse remains the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings. Per HACCP Temperature Monitoring, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
These types of violations require attention to maintain compliance standards for the establishment and its customers. Health officials note that addressing such conditions helps maintain public confidence in food service establishments.
Local regulatory authorities have ordered that Jerk 48 swiftly remediate the documented deficiencies before reopening to customers. Additional review is planned to confirm remediation.
Regular health inspections serve as critical safeguards for public health in Chicago's dining landscape. Transparency in reporting inspection findings ensures that community members can make informed decisions about their dining options.
📋 Complete Inspection Data
| Inspection ID | 2621748 |
| DBA Name | JERK 48 |
| AKA Name | JERK 48 |
| License # | 2630679 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 548 E 67TH ST |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60637 |
| Inspection Date | 08/05/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Short Form Complaint |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IMPROPERLY THAWING IN STANDING WATER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY THAW FOOD UNDER REFRIGERATION |
| & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments | OBSERVED OVER 100 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON SHELVES BEHIND FRONT COUNTER |
| CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED | 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments | OBSERVED FOOD HANLDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES IF COOKING EQUIPMENT |
| FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. | 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments | OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER REAR HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. | 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED |
| & CLEANED - Comments | OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE WASHROOM. | 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | OBSERVED SPILLS AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT |
| ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. | 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments | OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION FAN INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN. | 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. | 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING. |
| Latitude | 41.77315781192575 |
| Longitude | -87.6111108612534 |
| Location | (41.77315781192575 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this inspection conducted?
This inspection was conducted on August 5, 2025.
Who conducted this inspection?
Chicago Department of Public Health
What violations were found during this inspection?
The following violations were found: hand-washing, pest-control, sanitation, temperature-control.
Why are these violations concerning?
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.