Health Inspection Report
UNCLE MIKE'S PLACE in CHICAGO, IL Failed Its Health Inspection on 08/13/25
CHICAGO, IL
Published: August 21, 2025
CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at UNCLE MIKE'S PLACE in an inspection dated 08/13/2025.
The facility operates from 1700 W GRAND AVE in Ukrainian Village, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation involved equipment maintenance. Inspectors documented: 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: 3-304.12 : OBSERVED CUPS STORED INSIDE OF BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.. Worn dishwasher components may not properly sanitize dishes and utensils.
The second violation concerned cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(C) : MUST DEFROST ICE BUILD UP FROM SOME CHEST FREEZERS WHERE LIDS ARE AJAR FOR LIDS TO CLOSE TIGHTLY.. 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.
The third violation involved sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN GREASE, FOOD DEBRIS AND WATER BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES OF ALL EQUIPMENT.. 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. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
The fourth violation involved hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: 2-102.13 : OBSERVED EXPIRED AND MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.. 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. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.
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 08/13/2025 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this inspection conducted?
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Who conducted this inspection?
Chicago Department of Public Health
What violations were found during this inspection?
The following violations were documented: HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLER OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLER COMING INTO KITCHEN AND STARTED COOKING EGGS,HANDLING PLATES AND FEMALE DISH WASHER HANDLING DIRTY DISHES AND THEM REMOVING CLEAN DISHES FROM DISH MACHINE WITHOUT WASHING HANDS.MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIROITY 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED); PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 9LBS. COOKED SAUSAGES-49.6F-83.7F .10LBS. COOKED B.B.Q. PORK-55.4F. INSIDE OF REACH IN & PREP COOLERS. THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0�F OR BELOW. APPX.19LBS.$63.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED); CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER ON MENU ASTERISKING FOOD ITEMS. MANAGER STATES THE FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE CONSUMED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-39-005); PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 1-DOOR GLASS REACHING 46.9�F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE.A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON THE UNIT.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 41.0F OR BELOW. ONCE REPAIRED, EMAIL: FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)AIR TEMPERATURE IS NOW 40.0F. MAY RESUME USAGE.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 30 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS AND ON WALLS. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 8/6/25.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED); IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED CUPS STORED INSIDE OF BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST DEFROST ICE BUILD UP FROM SOME CHEST FREEZERS WHERE LIDS ARE AJAR FOR LIDS TO CLOSE TIGHTLY.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE AND MISSING WALL BASES IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.MUST GROUT FLOOR IN MAIN PREP AREA NEAR HAND WASHING SINK.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE, FOOD DEBRIS AND WATER BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES OF ALL EQUIPMENT.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED EXPIRED AND MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED ALUMINUM TRAYS STORED FACING UP ON THE PREP TABLES IN THE KITCHEN AND IN WAIT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TRAYS TO PROTECT FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY USING CARDBOARD AS A LINER ON THE BOTTOM SHELF OF PREP TABLE IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR REPLACE WITH A MATERIAL THAT IS SMOOTH AND EASILTY CLEANABLE.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP UNDER HOT STEAM TABLE EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SPILLED FOOD DERBIS ON THE FLOORS BEHIND COOLERS, COOKING AND FRYING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE..
Why are these violations concerning?
Worn dishwasher components may not properly sanitize dishes and utensils. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.