Hoots of South Loop
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
64
Score
Inspectors have visited Hoots of South Loop 12 times, with records going back to 2020. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up nine times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Hoots of South Loop trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN THE WAREWASHING AREA IN POOR REPAIR, NOT PROVIDING SANITIZER DURING FINAL RINSE. FACILITY STAFF AWARE OF ISSUE PRIOR TO INSPECTOR ARRIVAL AND PLACED SIGNAGE ON MACHINE INSTRUCTING STAFF NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND ABLE TO PROVIDE CHLORINE SANITIZER FINAL RINSE CONCENTRATION BETWEEN 50 PPM AND 200 PPM. TAGGED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT CDPH FOR RE-INSPECTION ONCE MACHINE IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND PRIOR TO USE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025 NO CITATION ISSUED.
16
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED AT THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AND MAINTAIN AVAILABLE FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS TO FRONT PREPARATION AREA HANDWASHING SINK ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOOD ITEM (BUTTERMILK BATTER) IN BULK STORAGE CONTAINER STORED TIGHTLY-COVERED BY FOOD CONTAINER LID WHILE COOLING IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO COOL TCS FOOD ITEMS USING APPROVED COOLING METHODS SUCH AS LEAVING FOOD ITEMS LOOSELY-COVERED/UNCOVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING AND MAINTAIN.
33
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: FRYER LEAKING CAUSING GREASE/OIL ON FLOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING, WRAPPED WITH TAPE. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CRACKED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH FRYERS AND NEXT TO UTILITY SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR TILES.
55
64
Jan 13, 2026
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: FRYER LEAKING CAUSING GREASE/OIL ON FLOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING, WRAPPED WITH TAPE. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CRACKED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH FRYERS AND NEXT TO UTILITY SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR TILES.
55
86
Apr 14, 2025
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Feb 27, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. THE SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNIT UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (CDPH). TAGGED UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FAN COVER HANGING OPEN IN CEILING OF EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Apr 15, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 60 LBS OF CHICKEN AT 47.5F AND 2 LBS OF SHRIMP AT 48.2F. THE MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 62LBS AT $160. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
22
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT, AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
82
May 16, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLEAN TOWELS BEING STORED INSIDE THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT LAUNDERED LINENS/TOWELS MAY NOT BE STORED INSIDE TOILET ROOMS. MUST RELOCATE AND MAINTAIN.
44
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLIGHT BUILD-UP INSIDE THE POP MACHINE ICE CHUTE LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN ICE CHUTE AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
86
Jun 27, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST DEFROST HEAVY ICE BUILD UP ON CONDENSOR UNIT IN WALK IN FREEZER.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON VENT IN EMPLOYEE BATHROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN WATER FROM FLOORS IN DISH WASHING ROOM.
55
86
Sep 15, 2021
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE REACH IN PREP COOLERS WHERE RAW CHICKEN IS STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT AND PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS, FLOUR BUILDUP AND SPILLS ON THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, DISH AREA AND PREP. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY TO REMOVE SPILLS, BUILDUP, AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
86
Mar 16, 2021
Reinspection
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSONS ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE WHILE RAW CHICKEN WAS BEING HANDLED. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE. (REFER TO REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE). PROVIDED SAMPLE COPY TO FACILITY DURING INSPECTION on 2/24/21. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 NOTED NO LABEL FOR BULK FLOUR STORAGE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER AND AROUND DISHWASHING AREA, HOT-HOLDING UNITS, PREP TABLES AND DEEP FRYERS TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT AND GREASE BUILDUP. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
74
Feb 24, 2021
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. EQUIPMENT MUST PROPERLY SANITIZE AT A MINIMUM OF 50 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNIT UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (CDPH). TAGGED UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSONS ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE WHILE RAW CHICKEN WAS BEING HANDLED. FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE. (REFER TO REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE). PROVIDED COPY TO FACILITY DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE.
1
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: NOTED NO LABEL FOR BULK FLOUR STORAGE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER AND AROUND DISHWASHING AREA, HOT-HOLDING UNITS, PREP TABLES AND DEEP FRYERS TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT AND GREASE BUILDUP. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
61
Jul 21, 2020
Reinspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
86
Jul 14, 2020
License
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: FOUND THE WALK-IN FREEZER AT 33F; MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN FROZEN FOODS AT PROPER TEMPERATURE. REPAIR SERVICE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
33
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NO LOG BOOK AS REQUIRED FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY; MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C).
38
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hoots of South Loop last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hoots of South Loop on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hoots of South Loop?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Hoots of South Loop.
Has Hoots of South Loop's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Hoots of South Loop have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Hoots of South Loop means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Hoots of South Loop inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hoots of South Loop is inspected around two times per year on average.
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