Best BBQ House
Last inspected: Jun 11, 2025
86
Score
The health department has logged six inspections at Best BBQ House, the earliest from 2019. Best BBQ House was last inspected on Jun 11, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near five violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “allergen training as required” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Best BBQ House is doing better than most peers. The record reflects steady performance over time.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 11, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN LIGHT HOUSING WITH NON-FUNCTIONAL LIGHT INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
86
Jul 24, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
2
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LITTLE CONTAINERS OF FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE WITH NO COVERING, WHILE NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO COVER TO PREVENT FROM CONTAMINATION.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED KNIVES AND OTHER COOKING UTENSILS STORED ON THE SIDE OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND MAINTAIN.
43
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FACILITY MISSING THREE SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
48
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE ACCUMULATION ON THE OUTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEEP-FRYING UNIT IN THE PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH A SLOW DRAIN. WATER FILLS UP SINK BEFORE COMPLETION OF WASHING HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS UNDER THE AND AROUND THE COLD HOLDING UNITS IN THE PREP AREA WITH SLIGHT LIQUID BUILD UP AND NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
55
67
Mar 30, 2023
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES.
40
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: FOUND GREASE AT THE BOTTOM INTERIOR OF DEEP FRYER; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN BOTTOM INTERIOR OF FRYER.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
82
Oct 27, 2021
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON-SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.14 OBSERVED A HAND WASHING SIGN IS NEEDED AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: 4-502.13 OBSERVED FOODS BEING STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN THE REACH-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY STORE ALL FOODS IN FOOD-GRADE CONTAINERS AND FOOD-GRADE BAGS.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DUST DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF A UNUSED FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OR REMOVE THE FRYER.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.13 OBSERVED FLOORS WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS UNDER AND AROUND REFRIGERATION UNITS AND UNDER THE CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
58
64
Apr 26, 2019
Reinspection
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BIOHAZARD KIT ON PREMISES USED FOR BODILY FLUID CLEAN UP. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HE MUST WRITE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP AS REQUIRED TO ACCOMODATE THE KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE DRAIN STOPPER ON PREMISES FOR THE THREE COMP SINK; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF THREE STOPPERS FOR PROPER SET UP TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE UTENSILS.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
74
Apr 16, 2019
License
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: NO HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT ON PREMISES FOR HOT FOODS. MENU SHOWS VARIOUS MEATS THAT WILL BE SKEWERED AND COOKED TO ORDER AND MEAT SERVED IN CASSEROLES. INSTRUCTED THAT HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT WILL NEED TO BE ON PREMISES AT THE LICENSE REINSPECTION AND MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN FOODS AT 135F OR ABOVE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
21
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BIOHAZARD KIT ON PREMISES USED FOR BODILY FLUID CLEAN UP. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HE MUST WRITE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP AS REQUIRED TO ACCOMODATE THE KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK OR SERVICE CONTRACT ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A SIGNED CONTRACT AND PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR HIS BUSINESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 738-020(A).
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE DRAIN STOPPER ON PREMISES FOR THE THREE COMP SINK; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF THREE STOPPERS FOR PROPER SET UP TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE UTENSILS.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Best BBQ House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Best BBQ House on file is from Jun 11, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Best BBQ House?
Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Best BBQ House.
Has Best BBQ House's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Best BBQ House have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Best BBQ House means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Best BBQ House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Best BBQ House is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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