Dear Margaret

2965 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
American
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2025
90
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, Dear Margaret has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2020. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 11, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around two violations each.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible”, showing up two times.

Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Dear Margaret is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED SLOW DRAIN AT HANDSINK NEAR FRONT COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASH SINKS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP/KITCHEN/ DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
90
Mar 6, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE UPDATED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES.
58
95
Jan 27, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OUTER OPENING NOT PROTECTED. GAP OF 1/4" AT BOTTOM OF ENTRANCE DOOR.REPAIR ISSUE.
38
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOK WITH BEARD AND WITHOUT A BEARD RESTRAINT,DURING FOOD PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARDS.
40
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PRESET TABLES WITH EXPOSED UTENSILS.INSTRUCTED TO COVER/PROTECT UTENSILS(FORKS,SPOONS,GLASSES,ETC),TO MINIMIZE SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION
44
86
Sep 20, 2021
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 31, 2021
License
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A HANDWASHING SINK THAT PROPERLY DRAINS WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER, SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS BEHIND THE BAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
10
90
Jun 17, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: EXTREMELY SLOW DRAINING HAND WASHING SINK AT THE DISH WASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR TO PROPERLY DRAIN.
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: GROUNDS SURROUNDING THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA WITH PLANT DEBRIS. UNUSED PILED WOODEN PALLETS AT SAME AREA MUST BE REMOVED AND MAINTAINED.
54
90
Dec 29, 2020
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: FOUND TOILET RESTROOM DOORS NOT SELF CLOSING.MUST PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND WALLS AND CEILING NOT SMOOTH AN EASY TO CLEAN AT BASEMENT DRY STORAGE.(TORN DRYWALL) MUST REPAIR/PAINT.
55
90

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dear Margaret last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Dear Margaret on file is from Mar 11, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Dear Margaret?

Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Dear Margaret.

Has Dear Margaret's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Dear Margaret have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Dear Margaret 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 Dear Margaret inspected?

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