Brown Bag Seafood Company
Last inspected: Dec 9, 2025
95
Score
Across the available record, Brown Bag Seafood Company has 17 inspections on file, the first dated 2014. The most recent report on file is from Dec 9, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited six times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Brown Bag Seafood Company on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 9, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND BUILDUP ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA AND HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON SIDES OF GREASE TRAP AND FLOOR IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK, HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS IN ALL STORAGE CLOSETS IN HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS IN ALL STORAGE CLOSETS IN HALLWAY AND MAINTAIN
55
95
Nov 6, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE SANITIZING AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 92F. CORRECTED ON SITE 'HELD FOR INSPECTION' TAG PLACED ON HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED ONCE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND IS SANITIZING PROPERLY AT A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 180F E-MAIL FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG TO REQUEST TAG REMOVAL PRIOR TO USING UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED
16
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DATA PLATE FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READABLE DATA PLATE AFFIXED TO THE MACHINE BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT INDICATES THE MACHINE'S DESIGN AND OPERATION SPECIFICATIONS.
48
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND BUILDUP ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA AND HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON SIDES OF GREASE TRAP AND FLOOR IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK, HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS IN ALL STORAGE CLOSETS IN HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS IN ALL STORAGE CLOSETS IN HALLWAY AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Apr 21, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRTY/PEELING CAULKING AROUND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OR REPLACE CAULKING.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
90
Sep 12, 2024
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE DAMAGED/STAINED CUTTING BOARD AT THE FOOD PREP LINE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD RESIDUE FROM SHELVING AND DUST FROM FAN GUARDS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD-UP FROM FLOORS UNDER, BETWEEN, AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
55
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT ALL CARDBOARD CONTAINERS TO PROTECT FROM POSSIBLE OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.
45
82
Apr 23, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME FOOD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
40
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERED A SLOW DRAINAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE PICK-UP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
90
Aug 3, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: Found 20 lbs of clam chowder soap held in a large covered container at 56.4f, soup placed in walk-in cooler a day before. Instructed manager to hold such foods at 41f or lower. Priority violation 7-38-005. Food discarded valued at $30.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: Improper cooling method used in cooling down hot heavy cream soups, large container with covered lid when placed in walk-in cooler. instructed to break down hot food in smaller portions and cover loosely to facilitate cooling down process, Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.
33
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Counter under grill with food debris and grease waste, instructed to clean and maintain.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Missing Tiles in dish washing area, instructed to provide smooth easy to clean floors
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Food debris and grease build-up noted a long wall base and behind cooking equipment, Instructed to clean and maintain.
55
67
Nov 7, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT UNISEX EMPLOYEE BATHROOM HANDWASHING SINK. TEMPERATURE OF WATER WAS 80.5F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES IN PREP AREAS WHEN FOOD IS BEING PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED SOME USE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AT THE DISHWASHING AREA, AND CASH AREA. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. ALL FOOD ITEMS MUST ALSO BE STORED 6" AWAY FROM THE WALL
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
64
Mar 10, 2021
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: DISH ROOM HAND WASH SINK NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS NOTE, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO HANDS WASHING SIGNS IN TOILET ROOMS, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FLY TRAP INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO CLEAN UTENSILS, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP AWAY.
38
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: SPOONS STORED IN STANDING WATER, INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN DRY CLEAN CONTAINER OR UNDER RUNNING WATER.
43
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
56
78
Jan 7, 2020
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST POST HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO POST AND MAINTAIN.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES IN PREP AREAS WHEN FOOD IS BEING PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
40
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: UNABLE TO IDENTIFY BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE BEHIND BAR, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL OR LOCATE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH 3-COMP SINK IN DISH AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAIN AT HANDWASHING SINK IN BAR AREA, INSTRUCTED TO ROD, AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR NON-WORKING VENTILATION SYSTEM IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS. To keep rooms free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke, and fumes, mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity shall be provided as required by LAW. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN GREASE ACCUMULATION FROM HOOD FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
70
Jan 10, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MENU WITHOUT A REMINDER AND DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNCOOKED ANIMAL-BASED FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SELF-SERVICE COOKIES ON DISPLAY MISSING PROPER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. MUST PROVIDE EITHER LABEL OR SIGNAGE WITH FOOD NAME, INGREDIENTS, NET CONTENTS, SOURCE AND LIST OF ALLERGENS. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR FOOD ITEMS INCLUDING PREPACKAGED BROWNIES OFFERED AT CHECKOUT COUNTER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
37
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BURNED OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE FRONT DISPLAY COOLER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING IN THE UNIT.
56
78
Jan 19, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES OPEN DRINKS STORED ON PREP TABLE, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP ONLY CONTAINERS WITH LID.
41
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: TONGS STORED ON SPLASH GUARD OF FRONT HAND SINK, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP AWAY IN A CLEAN AREA.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DUSTY FAN COVER IN WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
86
Mar 27, 2017
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Feb 27, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GRILL AND INTERIOR OF FRYERS WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS. OBSERVED SODA GUN HOLDER WITH MINOR DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS, OBSERVED FLOORS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH MINOR FOOD DEBRIS . INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG ALL WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK SUBSTANCE ON THE WALL AROUND THE 3 COMARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST ON THE FAN OF THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
35
86
Jan 7, 2016
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Caulk around 3 compartment sink in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced. Caulk around exposed hand sink in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Walk in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices). Non food contact surfaces of pop dispensing unit not clean, need detailed cleaning. Cooler shelving/racks not clean, need cleaning(detailed).
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Floors under cooking equipment, heavy equipment not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners), floors under storage shelving, pop dispensing unit not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners). Hole on floor in front bar area under wood board shall be repair/sealed.
34
86
Oct 6, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR OF THE BAR ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE SLIGHT GRIME BUILD-UP.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE TWO MISSING FLOOR TILES IN THE BAR SERVICE AREA ACROSS FROM AND UNDER THE HAND SINK. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
34
90
Nov 24, 2014
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: BULK-FOOD CONTAINER NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
30
95
Apr 17, 2014
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Brown Bag Seafood Company last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Brown Bag Seafood Company on file is from Dec 9, 2025. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Brown Bag Seafood Company?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Brown Bag Seafood Company.
Has Brown Bag Seafood Company's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Brown Bag Seafood Company have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Brown Bag Seafood Company 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 Brown Bag Seafood Company inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Brown Bag Seafood Company is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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