Kong Dog
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
55
Score
The health department has logged six inspections at Kong Dog, the earliest from 2023. The most recent report on file is from Jan 22, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 11 violations lately compared to roughly three violations before.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing 10 times across the record.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
12
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Reinspection
12 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 : MUST CLEAN DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP FROM WALLS,CEILING TILES AND CEILING VENTS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114 : MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: : 6-501.14 : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-202.11 : MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHTS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 : OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19 : MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND WALK IN COOLER AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.MUST ELIMINATE CARDBOARD FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND PREP TABLES TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FROM ROLLING CARTS,WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND FAN GUARD COVERS,FRYER CABINETS,STORAGE CABINETS AND SHELVING UNITS AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, REACH IN FREEZER.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12 : OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINES TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17 : MUST PROVIDE A LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN CUSTOMERS TOILET ROOM.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PRMISES INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 : MUST SEAL HOLE IN WALL BASE INSIDE OF WALL CLOSET.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES.
55
55
Jan 21, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 19 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT RUNNING WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND SINK IN CUSTOMERS UNISEX TOILET ROOM AT 54.3F MUST HAVE HOT RUNNING WATER AT 100.0F MUST PROVIDE AN DMAINTAIN.(PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICE AT HAND SINK IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA. PAPER TOWELS WERE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)
10
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (POTATOS,DICED TOMATOS,BEEF HOT DOGS,ETC)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)
2
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TAKING INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
36
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED A ROLLING CART,FLOOR FAN IN FRONT OF AND A PLASTIC GLOVE INSIDE OF SAID SINK. ARTICLES WERE REMOVED DURING INSPECTION.MUST KEEP HAND SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIROITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SLIMY YELLOWISH DEBRIS BUILD UP ON INTERIOR WATER SUPPLY PUMP AND DRIPPING INTO ICE BIN AND CALCIUM BUILD UP ON INTERIOR WALL PANELS. MUST REMOVE , CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.(PRIROITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND WALK IN COOLER AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.MUST ELIMINATE CARDBOARD FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND PREP TABLES TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FROM ROLLING CARTS,WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND FAN GUARD COVERS,FRYER CABINETS,STORAGE CABINETS AND SHELVING UNITS AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, REACH IN FREEZER.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINES TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A LID ON GARBAGE CAN IN CUSTOMERS TOILET ROOM.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PRMISES INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL HOLE IN WALL BASE INSIDE OF WALL CLOSET.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP FROM WALLS,CEILING TILES AND CEILING VENTS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHTS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
29
Apr 7, 2025
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOPPINGS FOR DOGS AND SMOOTHIES IN UNCOVERED CONTAINERS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA ON TOP OF COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED TO COVER TOPPINGS TO PROTET FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINDATION.
39
95
Aug 12, 2024
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING AS A LINER IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND REACH-IN SMOOTHIE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD OR REPLACE WITH A MATERIAL THAT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS, CUSTOMER SEATING AND OFFICE AREAS.
55
90
Apr 24, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK AND IN THE EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE DISH WASHING AREA BLOCKED BY LARGE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOPS WITH A BOTTLE OF CLEANSER AND NAPKINS INSIDE AT THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS MAKE HAND WASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO ALLOW FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS FROM THE HAND WASHING SINK DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SMALL BROWN-LIKE SUBSTANCE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE CLOSEST TO THE CASH REGISTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. FOOD EMPLOYEE LABELED CRUMBLE CONTAINER.
37
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE USE CORN DOG BOXES STORED FACING UP ON THE SHELVING AT THE END OF COOKLINE. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE IN THE CAULKING AROUND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OR REPLACE CAULKING.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN THE EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS AND ORGANIZE THE AREA.
55
64
May 9, 2023
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Unable to locate backflow prevention device for ice makers, instructed to install in a conspicuous location.
51
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kong Dog last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Kong Dog on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Kong Dog?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Kong Dog.
Has Kong Dog's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Kong Dog have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Kong Dog 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 Kong Dog inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Kong Dog is inspected around two times per year on average.
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