Almost Home Tavern & Grill
Last inspected: Oct 30, 2025
45
Score
Going back to 2022, Almost Home Tavern & Grill has eight inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Oct 30, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around six violations lately and about 11 violations before that.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded 14 times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Almost Home Tavern & Grill's 45 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
5
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 30, 2025
Routine
5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES ON PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
5
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFIECATE WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED SUCH AS HAMBURGERS, CHICKEN WINGS SOUPS ETC. INSTRUCTED TO OPERATE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCE IN THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE DRIPPING DOWN INTO ICE. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TURN OFF ICE MACHINE REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLEAN AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
3
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION
1
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AND MAINTAIN.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN PREP COOLERS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. OBSERVED REAR EXIT SIDE DOOR WITH 1/2 INCH OPENING ON BOTTOM DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR RODENT PROOF TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP ON WALLS AND CEILINGS ABOVE PREP TABLES AND COOLERS. ALSO OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS ABOVE FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND PREP COOLERS. MUST CLEAN DUST AND DIRT AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. ALSO OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO FLOOR WALLS AND CEILING ON BASEMENT BY ICE MACHINE AND REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN. MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS 6 INCHES OF THE FLOOR.
55
45
Jun 17, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 13, 2024
Reinspection
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NOTED AT THIS REINSPECTION APPROXIMATELY OVER 300 SMALL DRAIN FLIES SWARMING THE BAR FLO0R DRAIN AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AT DRAIN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ALL FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMEND HAVING PEST CO. SERVICE FOR FLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A)
38
Previous priority foundation violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 6-6-24 REPORT #2595818. #60- 8-404.13(B:4) PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2580075 ON 8-14-23 NOT CORRECTED.#55- 6-501.12-- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING AREA, AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.#55- 6-501.114-- NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
59
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11--- MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE THE TWO BASEMENT BOX FREEZERS OR MOVE TO AN AREA WITH A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: NOTED COOK ON SITE WITHOUT A HAIR OR BEARD RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES WHILE PREPARING AND HANDLING FOODS.
40
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-903.11 (A;B;D)--- ALL POTS, PANS, SERVING BOWLS, TO GO CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED INVERTED/PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11--- DIRT AND DEBRIS BEHIND AND AROUND THE KITCHEN DISH WASHING MACHINE AND KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK GREASE TRAP.----ALL FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE BAR NOTED DIRTY WITH DEBRIS AND BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE.----FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER WITH FOOD SPILLAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.-----BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPLACE.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13---- MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
64
Jun 6, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED THE KITCHEN CHLORINE CHEMICAL DISH WASHING MACHINE NOT PROPERLY DISPENSING SANITIZER. NOTED 0 PPM CHLORINE. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND PROPERLY DISPENSES CHLORINE, C.D.P.H CONTACTED FOR RE-INSPECTION AND TAG REMOVAL. INSTRUCTED TO USE THE BAR DISH WASHING MACHINE OR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE DISH WASHING MACHINES. NO QUATERNARY CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE SANITIZER BEING USED AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS. MUST PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
48
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2580075 ON 8-14-23 NOT CORRECTED.#55- 6-501.12-- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING AREA, AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.#55- 6-501.114 Inspector Comments: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NOTED A ONE INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD OF THE KITCHEN EXIT DOOR LEADING TO THE OUTSIDE. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE THE TWO BASEMENT BOX FREEZERS OR MOVE TO AN AREA WITH A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: ALL POTS, PANS, SERVING BOWLS, TO GO CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED INVERTED/PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE FROM PREMISES THE POROUS STONE PESTLE AND MORTAR BOWL USED FOR FOODS. UNABLE TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE THE STONE BOWL.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: RAW WOODEN SHELVING AT THE SERVER STATION MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.----WOMEN'S WASHROOM DOOR REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED AT THE OUTDOOR SOILED LINEN CONTAINER MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT RODENT/PEST ACTIVITY.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DIRT AND DEBRIS BEHIND AND AROUND THE KITCHEN DISH WASHING MACHINE AND KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK GREASE TRAP.----ALL FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE BAR NOTED DIRTY WITH DEBRIS AND BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE.----FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER WITH FOOD SPILLAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.-----BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPLACE.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NOTED NUMEROUS EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE UPDATED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER AT THE BAR. MUST REPLACE.
55
41
Aug 14, 2023
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATION ON AND AROUNG THE GREASE TRAP AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DTAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
52
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED MULTIPLES HOLES AND OPENINGS AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS TO PREVENT ENTRY PLACES FOR PEST.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING AREA, AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
78
Aug 9, 2023
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED HAND WASH SINK AT THE DISHWASHING AREA IN POOR REPAIRS WITH MISSING KNOB AT THE COLD WATER FAUCET(WATER THEREFORE TURNED OFF).INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASH SINK ALL TIMES WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION#7-38-030(C).CITATION ISSUED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO PAPER TOWELS AT PREP HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE BAR HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HAND WASHING SIGN AT LL HAND WASHING SINKS.
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED INNER LINING OF THE ICE MACHINE WAS NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.
36
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES AT THE PREP AREA AND DINING TABLES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE BIN ON ICE AT THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP HOLDER.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE SPRAYER OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. ALSO NOTED LOW WATER PRESSURE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO MEET THE WATER PRESSURE OF THE FOOD CODE.
51
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATION ON AND AROUNG THE GREASE TRAP AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DTAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
52
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED MULTIPLES HOLES AND OPENINGS AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS TO PREVENT ENTRY PLACES FOR PEST.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING AREA, AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
45
Nov 17, 2022
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 TWO LEAKS AT THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK BEHIND THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED REPAIR OF SAID LEAKS AND MAINTENANCE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-202.18 BENCHES ON THE OUTDOOR PATIO ARE NOT UNDER THE OVERHEAD PROTECTION SOURCE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE OVERHEAD PROTECTION FOR ALL THE SEATS NOT PROTECTED ON THE OUTDOOR PATIO AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Nov 10, 2022
License
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A DRINK DISPENSING STATION NEAR THE BAR AREA WITHOUT A HANDWASHING SINK IN THIS AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HANDWASHING SINK WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AND THE REQUIRED TEMPERATURES FOR HOT AND COLD WATER THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE SAID AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C), NO CITATION ISSUED AT THIS TIME.
10
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO LEAKS AT THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK BEHIND THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED REPAIR SAID LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BENCHES ON THE OUTDOOR PATIO ARE NOT UNDER THE OVERHEAD PROTECTION SOURCE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE OVERHEAD PROTECTION FOR ALL THE SEATS TAHT ARE NOT PROTECTED ON THE OUTDOOR PATIO AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Almost Home Tavern & Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Almost Home Tavern & Grill on file is from Oct 30, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Almost Home Tavern & Grill?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 14 times, more than any other issue at Almost Home Tavern & Grill.
Has Almost Home Tavern & Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Almost Home Tavern & Grill have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Almost Home Tavern & Grill means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Almost Home Tavern & Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Almost Home Tavern & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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