Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley
Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026
43
Score
Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley appears in inspection records four times, starting in 2025. The most recent visit was on Mar 4, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 11 violations per visit versus roughly two violations earlier in the record.
When inspectors have written things up, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley trails the local norm. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
4
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 4, 2026
Complaint
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS IN REAR KITCHEN AND DISH AREA MAINTAINING IMPROPER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES. 1 SINK MAINTAINING IMPROPER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 73.8F AND OTHER SINK MAINTAINING MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 70.9F. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BOTH SINKS AND MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS SO THAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER PRESSURE AT A RANGE BETWEEN 100-120F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 SHELLSTOCK TAG ON SITE FROM OCTOBER OF 2025. TAG WAS NOT DATED WITH DAY LAST ITEM WAS USED. INSTRUCTED TO DATE SHELLSTOCK TAGS AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR A MINIMUM OF 90 DAYS AS REQUIRED BY LAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
14
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2627537 DATED 11/24/2025: #58 " OBSERVED (2) TWO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SUMMARY FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2627537 DATED 11/24/2025 POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
61
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT WASHBOWL SINK LOCATED IN UPSTAIRS EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SOAP AT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC. NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT ISSUES: SOAP DISPENSER AT SERVER STATION HAS BROKEN BATTTERY AND 2 DOOR COOLER UNDERNEATH HAS TORN GASKETS ON INTERIOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR USED COOKING OIL CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
54
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF CARBON AND DEBRIS ON FILTERS IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON CEILING OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
43
Nov 24, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.OBSERVED COOKED COLLARD GREENS WITH TURKEY AT 54.2F, GUMBO AT 50.7F, JERK SOUP AT 44.9F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 120#'S OF FOOD WORTH $950.00. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
22
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACK INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED (2) TWO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR MAIN KITCHEN PREP WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
37
74
Jul 28, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-204.12--OBSERVED MISSING ICE BIN COVERS AT BAR ICE BINS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TIGHT FITTING LIDS/COVERS FOR ICE BINS BEHIND THE BAR.
47
95
Jul 22, 2025
License
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO TURN ON ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS AND FREEZER FOR TCS FOODS.OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 90.0F. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF 41.0F OR COLDER AND -0.0F FOR FREEZER.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
33
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD AT BAR HAND SINK NEXT TO ICE BIN.MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AND MAINTAIN.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING ICE BIN COVERS AT BAR ICE BINS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TIGHT FITTING LIDS/COVERS FOR ICE BINS BEHIND THE BAR.
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM LOCATED IN THE MEZZANINE 2ND FLOOR.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE STORAGE ROOMS AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL MISSING CEILING TILESIN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION NOT WORKING IN THE WASHROOMS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley.
Has Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
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