Bust Outs

5200 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

American

Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Bust Outs appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2023. The most recent visit was on Mar 4, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around three violations to closer to one violation per visit.

“Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 4, 2026

Reinspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES.

Jan 22, 2026

Routine

2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 45 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED 1/4TH POUND MOZZARELLA CHEESE AND 1/4 POUND COOKED ONIONS ($10) PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOLER UNDERNEATH GRIDDLE WITH TEMPERATURES FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 45 AND 48 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COOLERS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. COOLER TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-48-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DRAIN PLUGS/STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINERAL BUILD UP ON INTERIOR OF DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS AND SOIL BUILD UP ON FLOORS AROUND WATER HEATER AND DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FREEZER CHEST WITH LID HELD TOGETHER WITH TAPE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR LID.

Mar 11, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Apr 8, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF.

Apr 24, 2023

License

6 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DRAIN STOPPERS FOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN PREP/DISHROOM AREA WITH NO DRAINBOARD, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE TRAP NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH BUILDUP ON OUTSIDE. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINERS AND BOXES FROM CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS OUTSIDE OF DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND MAINTAIN CLUTTER FREE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAIN NEXT TO ICE MACHINE IN FRONT WITHOUT A COVER FOR DRAIN INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED TILES IN REAR MOP CLOSET UNDERNEATH DOOR CRACKED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bust Outs last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Bust Outs on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Bust Outs?

Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Bust Outs.

Has Bust Outs' inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Bust Outs have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Bust Outs 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 Bust Outs inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Bust Outs is inspected around two times per year on average.

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