CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at LARDON & THE UNION TAPROOM & THE MEADOWLARK in an inspection dated 08/12/2025.
Located at 2200-2202 N CALIFORNIA AVE in the Logan Square area, the establishment serves the local community. The Logan Square neighborhood maintains numerous food service establishments that undergo regular health monitoring.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation involved thermal management. Inspectors documented: City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate - Comments: Observed Facility Without a Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate Posted Onsite for Food Employees. Informed Person in Charge of the City of Chicago Original Food Service Certificate Must Be Posted Along with the Certified Manager on Site When Time and Temperature Control for Safety(tcs) Foods Are Stored. Priority Foundation Violation #7-38-012. Citation Issued.. 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. Improper temperature control can lead to bacterial growth including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
The second violation concerned food storage. Inspectors documented: Required Records Available: Shellstock Tags, Parasite Destruction - Comments: Observed No Dates on Shellfish Tags Must Provide the Date on All Shellfish Tags, When the Last Shellstock From the Container Is Sold or Served. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals.
The third violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: and Store All Shellfish Tags in Chronological Order for at Least 90 Days From the Sale Date. Priority Foundation Violation #7-38-005. Citation Issued.. Non-compliance with safety standards may create conditions that compromise food safety.
The fourth violation concerned cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Food-contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized - Comments: Observed Ice Machine Located in Rear Prep with a Build-up of Black Slime Substance, Dripping Onto Ice Cubes Stored Below the Ice Bin.ice Is U. 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.
Establishments receiving violations must submit correction plans and may face additional inspections. Failure to address violations can result in fines, permit suspension, or closure.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/12/2025 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: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.; REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED NO DATES ON SHELLFISH TAGS MUST PROVIDE THE DATE ON ALL SHELLFISH TAGS, WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED; AND STORE ALL SHELLFISH TAGS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS FROM THE SALE DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR PREP WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED BELOW THE ICE BIN.ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. ALSO BLACK SLIME AT THE EXTERIOR OF THE UNIT BETWEEN THE ICE BIN AND THE TOP PART OF THE UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED; CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED MENU WITH A FOOTNOTE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU AND MISSING DISCLOSURE BY ASTERICKS FOR RELATED MENU ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNCOOKED ANIMAL-BASED FOOD ITEMS OFFERED (EX. DUCK BREAST, PORK CHOP, AND BURGERS). (REFER TO ONLINE CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.PIC IN CHARGE GAVE HATS TO FOOD HANDLERS.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEST STRIPS/TESTING DEVICE ON SITE TO ADEQUATELY ENSURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE (160�F) AFTER THE FINAL RINSE FOR HIGH-TEMP DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS AT ALL BARS AND DISH AREA ENCRUSTED WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE, NSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY ALSO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A HANGING LIGHT SHIELD IN THE LIQUOR WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2607561 CONDUCTED ON 11/18/2024 PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED: (#36)4-204.112(B) OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT THE KITCHEN AREA DISH MACHINE TO BE SOILED WITH DEBRIS AND NOT EASILY-READABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT DISH MACHINE AND MAINTAIN WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES EASILY-READABLE AT ALLTIMES. (36)4-204.112(A, D) OBSERVED PREP AND REACH-IN COOLERS THROUGHOUT MAIN KITCHEN AREA AND BASEMENT PASTRY KITCHEN AREA MISSING INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. (47)4-501.11: OBSERVED LINE COOLER LIDS ON BOTH PREP COOLERS AT THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE IN POOR REPAIR, LID LATCHES DAMAGED AND PARTIALLY MISSING GASKETS ALONG EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LINE COOLER LIDS FOR ALL PREP COOLERS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT IN GOOD REPAIR AND PROPER ADJUSTMENT. (#54)5-501.116: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR GREASE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOILS AND PREVENT ATTRACTION OF INSECTS AND RODENTS AND MAINTAIN. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED SHARED MEADOWLARK/LARDON INDIVIDUAL RESTROOMS MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED PREP AND REACH-IN COOLERS THROUGHOUT MAIN KITCHEN AREA AND BASEMENT PASTRY KITCHEN AREA MISSING INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT THE KITCHEN AREA DISH MACHINE TO BE SOILED WITH DEBRIS AND NOT EASILY-READABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT DISH MACHINE AND MAINTAIN WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES EASILY-READABLE AT ALLTIMES.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED LINE COOLER LIDS ON BOTH PREP COOLERS AT THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE IN POOR REPAIR, LID LATCHES DAMAGED AND PARTIALLY MISSING GASKETS ALONG EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LINE COOLER LIDS FOR ALL PREP COOLERS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT IN GOOD REPAIR AND PROPER ADJUSTMENT.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR GREASE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOILS AND PREVENT ATTRACTION OF INSECTS AND RODENTS AND MAINTAIN.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULTED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS AND FOOD SPILL INSIDE PREP AREA COOLER (UNDER GRILL). MUST CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ICE BUILD ON JUICE REACH IN 2-DOOR COOLER CONDENSER AT BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP INSIDE SAID COOLER AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED ONE FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE..
Improper temperature control can lead to bacterial growth including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals. 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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