Black Dog Gelato
Last inspected: Oct 3, 2025
45
Score
Going back to 2010, Black Dog Gelato has 14 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 3, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around five violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up six times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Black Dog Gelato's 45 doesn't quite reach. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
14
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 3, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY MALE FOOD HANDLER OBSERVED HIM GO INTO WALK IN FREEZER AND COME BACK OUT,THEN PUT A MAGNET ON SIDE OF WALK IN COOLER THEN PUT ON PLASTIC GLOVES AND HANDLED A TURKEY SANDWICH THAT WAS ON TOPSIDE OF PREP COOLER TO PUT IN DELI PAPER WITHOUT WASHING HANDS.MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
8
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLER WASH HIS HANDS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK FAR RIGHT COMPARTMENT SINK,AFTER BEING INSTRUCTED TO WASH HIS HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION .INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS AT DESIGNATED HAND WASHING SINK. (COS)(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
8
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED.HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (SLICED TURKEY,PESTO,ARUGULA,PASTRAMI,GELATO,ETC)MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)
2
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN TOILET ROOM AND LEAKY CONDENSER IN WALK IN COOLER.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD SPLATTER FROM WALL IN WALK IN FREEZER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE IN WALK IN COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR IN BASEMENT AND STANDING WATER ON FLOOR BEHIND REACH IN FREEZER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIROITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)
1
Gloves used properly
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLER.
46
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN WALK IN COOLER AND 1ST FL. DRY STORAGE AREA.
47
45
Jul 3, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SCOOP STORED IN SUGAR WITH HANDLE DIRECTLY TOUCHING SUGAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE SCOOP WITH HANDLE FACING UP OR OUTSIDE OF CONTAINER ON A FOOD-GRADE SURFACE.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE WITH DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING GROUT AT HAND WASHING SINK IN TOILET ROOM. THE SINK APPEARS DETACHED FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
51
86
Jun 2, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 1, 2019
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: STOPPERS NEEDED AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE AT THE ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENING INTO CEILING IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WALL BASEBOARD BEHIND AND NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT DISHWASHING AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
56
74
May 30, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: NOTED THE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
37
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKS AT THE FAUCET FIXTURES ON THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
90
May 26, 2017
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING LATCH FOR THE EMPLOYEE BATHROOM BEHIND THE PREP AREA.
37
95
May 19, 2016
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 8, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RUBBER GASKETS IN NEED OF REPAIRING ON REACH IN COOLER. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS UNDER 1 COMP SINK AT 1 ST FLOOR IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
34
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE CERTIFICATES AT ALL TIMES.
45
86
May 22, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPAIR, SEAL OPENINGS, AND PAINT NORTH WALL IN PREP AREA.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND HOT WATER HANDLE ON 1-COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
90
Aug 7, 2012
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: (a) All food establishments, and all theaters at which food is prepared or served, shall employ and have present on the premises at all times that potentially hazardous food is being prepared or served, a person who holds a department of health certificate of registration in food handling and sanitation.Every such certificate of registration shall be posted conspicuously in that part of the retail food establishment to which the public has access.Serious violation 7-38-012(a).
21
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: All clean single service utensils must be stored with handles up.
31
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Must Seal noticeable openings on walls in basement areas were noted.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Clean and organize dry storage area shelvings in basement must be made accessible for inspection.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: Food handlers must have hair restraints when working around open food.
42
78
Aug 2, 2011
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST REPAIR LEAK UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, BASEMENT DISH AREA
38
95
Jun 23, 2010
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 16, 2010
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: Equipment and utensils should get proper exposure to the sanitizing solution during the rinse cycle. Bactericidal treatment shall consist of exposure of all dish and utensil surfaces to a rinse of clean water at a temperature of not less than 180F.HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER NOT INSTALLED FOR TABLE TOP TAYLOR ICE CREAM MACHINES,NO TAYLOR CLEANING MANUALS ON SITE.
8
95
Jun 3, 2010
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: Equipment and utensils should get proper exposure to the sanitizing solution during the rinse cycle. Bactericidal treatment shall consist of exposure of all dish and utensil surfaces to a rinse of clean water at a temperature of not less than 180F.HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER NOT INSTALLED FOR TABLE TOP TAYLOR ICE CREAM MACHINES,NO TAYLOR CLEANING MANUALS ON SITE.
8
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.4" INCH COVING NOT INSTALLED IN FOOD PREP,DISHROOM.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.WALLS THROUGHOUT FOOD PREP BEHIND SERVICE COUNTERS,DRY STORAGE NOT SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE.
35
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Black Dog Gelato last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Black Dog Gelato on file is from Oct 3, 2025. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Black Dog Gelato?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Black Dog Gelato.
Has Black Dog Gelato's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Black Dog Gelato have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Black Dog Gelato 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 Black Dog Gelato inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Black Dog Gelato is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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