CHICAGO, IL - Multiple violations were discovered at Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark during a health inspection on 08/12/2025.
Situated at 2200-2202 N California Avenue Chicago Illinois in Logan Square, the restaurant serves a diverse clientele in one of Chicago's bustling districts.
Inspectors documented: "Observed facility without a valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate posted onsite for food employees. 012." This finding indicates a need for compliance with established food safety protocols.
Among the findings were infractions involving hand washing, a key component of food safety protocols.
Industry experts consistently emphasize the critical importance of proper hand washing protocols. The Chicago Health Department Requirements clearly states that The CDC emphasizes that inadequate hand washing contributes to approximately 89% of foodborne illness outbreaks.
Among the findings were infractions involving sanitation, a key component of food safety protocols.
Industry best practices require establishments to maintain rigorous cleaning schedules and equipment maintenance Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that Proper sanitation practices prevent cross-contamination and maintain the integrity of food preparation environments. The FDA Sanitation Standards provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
The examination revealed violations related to temperature control, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Professional food safety experts consider temperature monitoring essential for preventing foodborne illness According to USDA Safe Temperature Standards, Maintaining proper food temperatures is the most effective method for preventing bacterial growth and foodborne illness. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving pest control, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive pest control practices. Studies from public health organizations show that Federal food safety regulations require all food service establishments to maintain comprehensive pest exclusion programs. The HACCP Prevention Guidelines offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
The implications extend to broader community food safety standards. Health department data shows that correction of violations helps maintain community health standards.
Regulatory authorities have scheduled an extensive follow-up review to confirm that every infraction has been adequately corrected. Management are required to show complete correction before these violations will be deemed closed.
This inspection emphasizes the fundamental necessity of strict regulatory adherence in dining establishments. Area customers have the right to access compliance documentation when selecting food service establishments.
| Inspection ID | 2622089 |
| DBA Name | LARDON & THE UNION TAPROOM & THE MEADOWLARK |
| AKA Name | LARDON & THE UNION TAPROOM & THE MEADOWLARK |
| License # | 2712521 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 2200-2202 N CALIFORNIA AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60647 |
| Inspection Date | 08/12/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Canvass |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 2. 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. | 14. 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. | 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES | CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR PREP WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE |
| AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED | 25. 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 |
| AND BURGERS). (REFER TO ONLINE CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. | 40. 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. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| 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. | 48. 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. | 55. 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 | 56. 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. | 60. 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. |
| Latitude | 41.921723514279485 |
| Longitude | -87.69746847935866 |
| Location | (41.921723514279485 |
This inspection was conducted on August 12, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: hand-washing, sanitation, temperature-control, pest-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.
