Highway House
Last inspected: Aug 18, 2025
100
Score
Highway House appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2019. Highway House was last inspected on Aug 18, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around three violations to closer to one violation per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surfaces” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Highway House is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 18, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 11, 2025
Complaint
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. ALL ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED.
16
90
Mar 19, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD OF FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL MOUNTED POTATO CUTTER IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 FOOD HANDLER CARD ON SITE IS EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
90
Mar 28, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED SPRAYER AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK HANGING BELOW THE RIM OF THE SINK AT THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE DEVICE TO HOLD THE SPRAYER ABOVE THE WATER RIM OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MISSING ICE BIN COVERS AT FRONT BAR ICE BIN. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ICE BIN COVERS.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SHELVES AND FLOORS INSIDE HE SERVICE PREP COOLER BY THE PREP SINK WITH STICKY SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS AND DIRT.
49
74
Oct 17, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 4, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE NOT MAINTAINED, SANITIZING AT 0 PPM CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE MUST SANITIZE BETWEEN 50 PPM AND 100 PPM CHLORINE. MUST TEMPORARILY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. DISHMACHINE TAGGED BY CDPH AT THIS TIME.
16
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A CLEAN CONTAINER FOR ICE SCOOP.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE/FOOD BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD. MUST CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASH SINK PIPE LEAKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
74
Aug 10, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSRERVED NO VISIBLE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON WATER INTAKE LINE FOR ICE MACHINE. BE ABLE TO POINT OUT BACK FLOW DEVICE TO INSPECTOR.
51
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CURRENT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE AN ANSI APPROVED FOOD HANDLER CERTICATE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
86
Aug 11, 2021
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED PINK MINERAL BUILD UP INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12 OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD IN MAIN PREP AREA WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-303.11 OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT AT VENTILATION HOOD IN MAIN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING LIGHT BULB.
56
86
Jul 28, 2021
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 55.8F IN PREP COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE IN PREP COOLER. RAW STEAK FOUND AT 47.1F, RAW SHRIMP FOUND AT 46.4F, DICED TOMATOES FOUND AT 45.9F, RAW CHICKEN WINGS FOUND AT 46.7F, RAW FISH FOUND AT 43.5F. OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER IN BASEMENT. RAW CHICKEN FOUND AT 53.6F, RAW GROUND BEEF FOUND AT 51.3F, SHELLED EGGS FOUND AT 46.3F, HEAVY WHIPPED CREAM (PRAIRIE FARMS) FOUND AT 45.1F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE FOR TCS FOOD ITEMS MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. FOOD IS DISCARDED AND DENATURED. ALL FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 300 LBS AT A COST OF $400.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF PREP COOLER AT 44.6F. OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER IN BASEMENT AT 46.7F. ALSO OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF REFRIGERATOR AT 46.2F. PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
33
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN BASEMENT NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZER LEVEL IS READING 00 PPM. SANITIZER LEVEL MUST READ AT LEAST 50 PPM TO PROPERLY SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025. MACHINE IS TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION.
16
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED FROM LAST INSPECTION ON 6/5/2019, REPORT #2290919. INSTRUCTED TO POST RECENT SUMMARY REPORT VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-010(B).
61
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PINK MINERAL BUILD UP INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD IN MAIN PREP AREA WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT AT VENTILATION HOOD IN MAIN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING LIGHT BULB.
56
50
Jun 5, 2019
License
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN-UP POLICY/PROCEDURE IN PLACE BUT IN-COMPLETE KIT SUPPLIES. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN NECESSARY CLEANING ITEMS(FACE MASKS,DISPOSABLE MOPS,APPROPRIATE SANITIZER).PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING IN NEWLY INSTALLED OUTSIDE STORAGE SHED TO ELEVATE BOXED NAPKINS/CUPS/PAPER SUPPLIES ETC. MUST BE ELEVATED AT LEAST 6" OFF FLOOR AND TO MAINTAIN.
39
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT WATER LINE FOR ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT AREA.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A VISIBLE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR MENTIONED AREA.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED (SOUTHBEND) CONVENTION OVEN IN BASEMENT PREP/DISH WASHING AREA MUST BE UNDER VENTILATION, WHEN THE EQUIPMENT IS MORE THAN 7.5 KILOWATTS.
56
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Highway House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Highway House on file is from Aug 18, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Highway House?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Highway House.
Has Highway House's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Highway House 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 Highway 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 Highway House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Highway House is inspected around two times per year on average.
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