Cultivate by Forbidden Root
Last inspected: Sep 24, 2025
86
Score
Inspectors have visited Cultivate by Forbidden Root seven times, with records going back to 2021. The latest inspection on file is from Sep 24, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited seven times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The record reflects steady performance over time.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 24, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAKY FAUCET AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE IN THE SINGLE CUSTOMER RESTROOM LOCATED AT THE END OF HALLWAY AND AT THE HADNWASHING SINK AT THE END OF COOKING LINE NEAR KITCHEN ENTRY.
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF BROWN RESIDUE ON THE INSIDE PANEL OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO SCHEDULE A CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
16
86
Dec 11, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GASKET OF REACH IN COOLER NEAR THE HEARTH AREA TO BE HEAVILY TORN FROM DOOR AND VERY LOOSE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TORN/LOOSE GASKET.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND SINK DRAIN PIPE LEAKING BELOW AT THE HAND SINK NEXT TO THE DISH MACHINE IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN HAND SINK TO BE FREE OF LEAKS.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH CAN IN THE REAR EMPLOYEE BATHROOM IN KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH CAN IN ANY UNISEX OR FEMALE BATHROOM.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS BELOW FRYER TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH BUILT UP GREASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP.
55
82
Oct 27, 2023
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ANY OF THE EXPOSED HANDSINKS IN THE PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HANDSINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
10
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF PREP COOLERS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED BRICK WALL IN THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO SEAL SO THAT WALLS ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAINED.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MISSING AN ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE OBTAINS ALLERGY AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE.
58
82
Apr 3, 2023
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTIPLE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN THEM.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT, AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEANING AND INCREASED THE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
90
Dec 5, 2022
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT BUILD UP ON STORAGE ROOM FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS. MUST CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT STORAGE ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Nov 28, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PINK AND BLACK SLIME/DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. ALL ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2-DOOR REACH IN PREP COOLER RUBBER DOOR GASKETS LOOSE AT EDGES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER SAID COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS MUST BE TIGHT FITTED.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: FOUND SOME PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS WITH ACCUMULATED DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT BUILD UP ON STORAGE ROOM FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS. MUST CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT STORAGE ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Nov 2, 2021
License
1 major violation. 16 minor violations.
View 17 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION WAS ISSUED.
3
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OUTER OPENING NOT PROTECTED. GAP OF 1/4" AT BOTTOM OF EXIT DOOR AT COFFEE STATION REPAIR ISSUE.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE COFFEE STATION. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL
39
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A BARRIER BEHIND THE SHELF WITH CLEAN POTS, PANS, AND A STAIRCASE BY THE EXIT REAR DOOR. THE SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL OR RELOCATE MENTIONED SHELF.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: RUSTY SHELVES INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AND REAR STORAGE. ALSO PREP TABLE BASE IS RUSTY UNABLE TO CLEAN. THE SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE DOOR OF SEVERAL REACH-IN COOLER IN KITCHEN REPAIR/REPLACE
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS AT EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, UTILITY CONNECTIONS, AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND COOKING LINE. REMOVE GRIMES AT THE RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE REACH-IN COOLERS IN THE KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: SEVERAL DRAIN PIPES ARE LEAKING UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AND BAR. REPAIR CAUSE. REMOVE DUCT TAPE UNDER THE DRAINBOARD AT THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK AND REPAIR THE CAUSE
51
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OPENING AROUND GREASE TRAP AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK
52
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NEED TO PROVIDE RECEPTACLES WITH COVERS INSIDE THE 7 WASHROOMS.
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE PROVIDED AT WASHROOM DOORS(4 WASHROOMS AT HALLWAY BY THE MAIN BAR AND AT REAR STAFF WASHROOM), INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE FLOOR AT THE BEER BAR AREA IS STAINED, NOT SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE. REPAIR ISSUE. DEBRIS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT INCLUDED BREWERY AREA.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BREWERY AREA HAS EXCESS ITEMS FROM CHAIRS,FURNITURE, FILLED BOXES ,ETC. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND KEEP AREA CLEAN.RELOCATE ITMS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL LIGHTING IS NEEDED IN THE DISHROOM, REAR STORAGE ROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: PROTECTIVE LIGHT SHIELD WITH EXCESS DARK WATER STAINS.CLEAN/REPLACE SAID LIGHT SHIELD.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ARE REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS
58
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cultivate by Forbidden Root last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cultivate by Forbidden Root on file is from Sep 24, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cultivate by Forbidden Root?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Cultivate by Forbidden Root.
Has Cultivate by Forbidden Root's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cultivate by Forbidden Root have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cultivate by Forbidden Root 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 Cultivate by Forbidden Root inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cultivate by Forbidden Root is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants