Fat Cat
Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025
100
Score
The health department has logged 17 inspections at Fat Cat, the earliest from 2012. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 3, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean”, showing up seven times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 3, 2025
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jun 17, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 23, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES (BEHIND UPPER PANEL) OF ICE MACHINE) WITH CALCIUM BUILD-UP.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF FRONT AND SIDE DOOR.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF SODA GUN HOLDER BEHIND THE BAR.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF DISHMACHINE WITH BLACK MOLD LIKE ACCUMULATION IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CONDENSER FAN COVER AND CEILING WITH DUST ACCUMULATION INSIDE (SECOND FLOOR) BEER WALK-IN COOLER.
55
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK INSIDE MEN AND WOMEN WASHROOM.
10
74
Apr 18, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT BOTH EXPOSE HANDSINKS LOCATED IN THE FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HANDSINKS AND MAINTAIN.
10
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 INCREASE THE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
90
Jun 1, 2022
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT FRONT AND SIDE ENTRANCE/EXIT DOOR SWEEPS. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOORS.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: SOME PREP AREA COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED PREP AREA COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME PREP AND DISHWASH AREA CEILING LIGHT BULBS NOT WORKING. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING CEILING LIGHT BULBS.
56
86
Apr 27, 2021
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: GREASE INSIDE THE DEEP FRYER,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MISSING GROUT BETWEEN FLOOR TILES INDISH ROOM,INSTRUCTED TO RE-GROUT SAID TILES.
55
86
Apr 21, 2020
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AT KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
55
95
Mar 6, 2019
Routine
No violations found.
100
Aug 7, 2018
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE ON TOP OF CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(B)
54
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED LOOSE LID AT THE SERVICE PREP LINE COOLER OF THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES.
58
82
Nov 7, 2017
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE WOMANS WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE.
35
95
Oct 30, 2017
Complaint
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20-30 SMALL FLIES UNDER BAR EXPOSED HAND SINK AND ICE BIN FLYING FROM AND ABOVE A FLOOR DRAIN. ALSO NOTED 3 FLIES IN WASHROOM HALLWAY AND 8 FLIES ON WALLS THROUGHOUT THE 2ND FLOOR AND LIQUOR STORAGE. RECOMMEND HAVING PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT FOR FLIES AND MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE FLY ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE PLASTIC WRAP AS A MEANS OF REPAIR TO SECURE PLUMBING UNDER THE BAR. MUST REMOVE. TORN ELECTRICAL TAPE AROUND TUBING UNDER BAR. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR. MUST NOT USE TINFOIL AS LINER INSIDE BAR COOLER.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: TABLE TOP CAN OPENER AND WALL MOUNTED FRY SLICER WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE. EXTERIOR OF THE DISH MACHINE WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. FOOD TRAY CART ON THE COOKS LINE DIRTY WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE GREASE ALONG FLOOR BASEBOARDS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT ON COOKS LINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE WOMANS WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE. WALL BEHIND DISH MACHINE SPRAYER/SCRAPER SINK DIRTY WITH FOOD SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
45
70
Jul 13, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Rusty shelves inside the reach-in cooler across the cooking equipment, need to replace. Surface must be smooth, cleanable and non-absorbent material. Cup with no handle is used to pick up dry food. Instructed to provide utensils with handles. Missing bottom component of the insect light trap unit in the kitchen, must repair or replace.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Grease on wheels of cooking units, on pipes behind the cooking equipment and inside the deep fryers. Instructed to clean and maintain
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Debris and dust on light shield in the kitchen, also re-adjust light shield at light fixture. Light at second floor food and utensil storage room is not shielded. Must install light shield or shatter resistant bulb.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Back flow prevention device at water sprayer behind the bar, for top loading frozen drink machine, has water leaking. Need to repair and maintain.
38
82
Aug 4, 2016
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: LABEL(NAME OF THE PRODUCT) ALL FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER WITH READY TO EAT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS,(NOTED ALL CONTAINERS WITH DATE ONLY). ALSO LABEL ALL DRY FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE STORAGE AREA AND UNDER THE PREP TABLE AND MAINTAIN.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CAULK WORN OUT AROUND THE EXPOSED HAND SINK . MUST RE CAULK AND MAINTAIN. RELOCATE THE SODA GUN HOLDER ON BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND THE BAR. (SODA GUN HOSE IS HANGING RIGHT ON THE EXPOSED HAND SINK WHICH IS HARDER TO WASH HANDS).
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MAKER AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND THE COOKING STOVES,DEEP FRYER AND GRILL, AND FLOOR THRU-OUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA,(WITH DEBRIS AND GREASE ACCUMULATED ALONG THE WALL BASE ALL CORNER) AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: DAMAGED CEILING INSIDE THE LADIES WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. DUST BUILD -UP ON THE EXHAUST AND THE CEILING IN BOTH WASHROOM. MUST CLEAN,REMOVE DUST AND MAINTAIN.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD ON THE LIGHT BULB INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER FOR BEER/OLIVES ETC.
36
74
Aug 20, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE DEEP FRYER IS SOILED WITH GREASE BUILDUP AND THE CAN OPENER/HOLSTER HAS FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE SHARP PUNCTURE POINT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: THE LIGHT SHIELD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER IS CRACKED BUT STILL HELD TOGETHER BY THE SHATTER PROOF MATERIAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB BEFORE THE PIECES BREAK APART AND POTENTIALLY COME IN CONTACT WITH FOOD STORED IN COOLER.
36
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS ON PREMISES REQUIRE AN INTERNAL THERMOMETER.
40
86
Apr 15, 2014
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RUST AND ALUMINUM FOILS STUCK AT BASE INSIDE THE BEER CHEST FREEZERS,BEHIND THE BAR AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: GREASE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE DEEP FRYER BY THE WALL,BURNED FOOD INSIDE 4 BURNER STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR INSIDE THE OFFICE/LIQUOR STORAGE,SECOND FLOOR STORAGE, BEHIND THE ATM MACHINE, AND BAR AREA WITH DEBRIS AND DUST BUILD-UP; ALSO CLUTTER ITEMS ARE STORED ON FLOOR,INSTRUCTED TO RE-ORGANIZE ELEVATE ITEMS NEEDED 6"OFF THE FLOOR IN SAID AREAS FOR GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, FLOOR DRAINS UNDER THE BAR AREA WITH GRIMES BUILD-UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MISSING CEILING TILES BY THE OFFICE/PREP AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: BROKEN LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE KITCHEN INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE,ALSO DEBRIS INSIDE THE LIGHT SHIELD, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAKING FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS BEHIND THE NORTH-WEST BAR AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
38
74
May 28, 2013
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO THERMOMETER INSIDE BAR COOLERS. MUST PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS.
40
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: SOME BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS AND LABEL/DATE FOODS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER (FIRST IN FIRST OUT).
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED (ALONG COOKLINE) AND OBSERVED TIN FOIL ON SHELF UNDER FLAT TOP GRILL. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR ALL DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS AND REMOVE TIN FOIL, SHELF SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE FRYER (RIGHT SIDE FRYER), FOOD/WATER BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS, (ALONG COOKLINE), FOOD/DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA SHELVES AND SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SYRUP SPILL ON FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND SODA SYRUP BOXES AND FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND ALONG WALLS/CORNERS OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: 1-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE AND MENS WASHROOM LEFT SIDE HANDWASH BOWL WATER PRESSURE LOW. MUST REPAIR/MAINTAIN SINKS.
38
74
May 7, 2012
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE PREP COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN GASKETS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND MAINTAIN ALSO MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT STORAGE ROOM.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: BAR 4-COMPARTMENT SINK LEFT SIDE COMPARTMENT PIPE DRAINING SLOWLY. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR IN STORAGE ROOM, MUST BE ABLE TO CLEAN FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND ALL ITEMS.
41
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Fat Cat last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Fat Cat on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Fat Cat?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Fat Cat.
Has Fat Cat's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fat Cat have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Fat Cat 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 Fat Cat inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Fat Cat is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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