Chicago Oyster House
Last inspected: Jun 10, 2025
100
Score
Across the available record, Chicago Oyster House has 15 inspections on file, the first dated 2013. On Jun 10, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.
Looking across the full record, “allergen training as required” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Chicago Oyster House on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 10, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 8, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-904.11: OBSERVED TABLEWARE (FORKS AND PLATES) NOT INVERTED STORED IN THE CABINET UNDER THE SERVER STATION NEAR THE LIQUOR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL MENTIONED ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11: OBSERVED THE BOTTOM OF THE WALL BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED TILES ALONG THE ENTIRE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID TILES TO SEAL OPENINGS AND TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
90
Mar 1, 2024
Complaint
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK LIKE SUBSTANCE BUILD UP ON THE INTERIOR PANEL ABOVE THE ICE ON THE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MUST REMOVE BUILD UP, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
16
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TABLEWARE (FORKS AND PLATES) NOT INVERTED STORED IN THE CABINET UNDER THE SERVER STATION NEAR THE LIQUOR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL MENTIONED ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE BOTTOM OF THE WALL BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED TILES ALONG THE ENTIRE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID TILES TO SEAL OPENINGS AND TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
82
Mar 9, 2023
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FAUCET AT THE ONE COMP SINK IN THE KITCHEN LEAKING AT THE BASE; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. (A NEW FAUCET WAS PURCHASED AND PLUMBER IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE SOON).
51
95
Mar 2, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: LIGHTS IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF SHEILDS. SHEILDS IN POOR REPAIR. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
56
95
Jun 14, 2021
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
51
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 REQUIREMENT.
58
90
Jun 7, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE WITH FOOTNOTE ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED OR RAW (BEEF, OYSTERS, SUSHI) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE WITH FOOT NOTE FOR THESE ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
25
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.14 OBSERVED HAND WASHING SIGNS ARE NEEDED AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND BY THE SUSHI BAR AND BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
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 REQUIREMENT.
58
74
May 16, 2019
Routine
6 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: FOUND SOME READY TO EAT TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE MARKED; MUST PROVIDE DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE DATE MARKED WITH THE DAY THAT THE FOOD WILL BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NEWLY PRINTED MENUS WITH NO CONSUMER ADVISORY OR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. GAVE THE PERSON IN CHARGE A CONSUMER ADVISORY INFO SHEET. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: NO LAB LETTER ON PREMISES VERIFYING THE PH AND WATER ACTIVITY LEVEL OF THE SUSHI RICE; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LETTER MUST BE PROVIDED BY AN APPROVED LABORATORY VERIFYING THAT THEIR SUSHI RICE HAS BEEN TESTED AND THAT IT MUST BE UPDATED EVERY FIVE YEARS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
29
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE ON PREMISES HAS NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE ON A GIVEN DAY OR SHIFT ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
2
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: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
50
Mar 21, 2018
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: AIR VENTS IN DINING ROOM IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
33
95
Jan 6, 2017
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: TOILET IN WOMENS WASHROOM NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
11
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE IN KITCHEN.
33
90
Mar 4, 2016
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: THE VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN VENTS.
35
95
Oct 13, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: NO LAB TESTING LETTER FOR SUSHI RICE PH ON SITE, INSTRUCTED MGR TO OBTAIN. FACILITY NOT OPERATING AT THIS TIME NO SUSHI RICE IS PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
30
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: DRAIN LINE FROM SUSHI COOLER IS IN CONTACT WITH CUTTING BOARD AT SUSHI STATION, INSTRUCTED TO REAMOVE.
38
90
Dec 12, 2014
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: ONE LIGHT BULB OUT UNDER THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN; REPLACE BLOWN BULB IN THE MIDDLE.
36
95
Aug 7, 2014
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE RUBBER GASKETS AT THE DOORS OF THE TWO DOOR COOLER; REPLACE GASKETS.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE IN CENTER OF KITCHEN FLOOR WHERE NEEDED.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPLACE MISSING WALL COVING ALONG WALLBASE BEHIND THE GREASE RECEPTOR IN THE KITCHEN AT THE THREE COMP SINK. VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN VENTS.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO SETS OF LIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN WITHOUT SHIELDS; PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR THE LIGHTS.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HOT WATER FAUCET AT THE THREE COMP SINK LEAKING AND A LEAK FROM THE CENTER OF THE PIPE UNDER THE THREE COMP SINK; REPAIR. BOTH GREASE RECEPTORS IN KITCHEN ATTACHED TO THE SINKS NEED TO BE CLEANED AND PAINTED; CLEAN AND PAINT BOTH GREASE RECEPTORS.
38
78
Sep 30, 2013
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NEW CUTTING BOARDS NEEDED AT SUSHI COUNTER. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING: COOKING EQUIPMENT, REACH IN COOLER, PREP SINKS AND HAND SINKS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS THROUGH OUT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING THROUGH OUT. UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. FLOOR TILES IN NEED OF REPLACING WHERE MISSING. COVING IN NEED OF REPLCING UNDER BAR AREA. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS AND CEILING IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT IN NEED OF SHIELDING IN PREP AREA. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: VENTILATION UNIT ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. THE FOLLOWING PLUMBING ISSUES IN NEED OF CORRECTING: LEAK AT P-TRAP AT HAND SINK, LEAK AT P-TRAP AND AT FAUCET 1 COMP SINK, LEAK AT FAUCET AT 3 COMP SINK. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
Linen: clean and soiled properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL CLEAN LINEN MUST BE ORGANIZED AND STORED AWAY FROM DIRTY LINEN. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
39
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chicago Oyster House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Chicago Oyster House on file is from Jun 10, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Chicago Oyster House?
Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Chicago Oyster House.
Has Chicago Oyster House's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Chicago Oyster House have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Chicago Oyster 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 Chicago Oyster House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Chicago Oyster House is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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