Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark

2200-2202 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Bar / Pub
Last inspected: Aug 18, 2025
100
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark has six inspections on file, the first dated 2021. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 18, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.

The pattern that stands out is “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, which has been cited two times.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark is doing better than most peers. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 18, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 12, 2025
Routine
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DATES ON SHELLFISH TAGS MUST PROVIDE THE DATE ON ALL SHELLFISH TAGS, WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK FROM THE CONTAINER IS SOLD OR SERVED; AND STORE ALL SHELLFISH TAGS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS FROM THE SALE DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
14
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEST STRIPS/TESTING DEVICE ON SITE TO ADEQUATELY ENSURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE (160�F) AFTER THE FINAL RINSE FOR HIGH-TEMP DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
48
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2607561 CONDUCTED ON 11/18/2024 PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED: (#36)4-204.112(B) OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT THE KITCHEN AREA DISH MACHINE TO BE SOILED WITH DEBRIS AND NOT EASILY-READABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT DISH MACHINE AND MAINTAIN WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES EASILY-READABLE AT ALLTIMES. (47)4-501.11: OBSERVED LINE COOLER LIDS ON BOTH PREP COOLERS AT THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE IN POOR REPAIR, LID LATCHES DAMAGED AND PARTIALLY MISSING GASKETS ALONG EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LINE COOLER LIDS FOR ALL PREP COOLERS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT IN GOOD REPAIR AND PROPER ADJUSTMENT. (#54)5-501.116: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR GREASE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOILS AND PREVENT ATTRACTION OF INSECTS AND RODENTS AND MAINTAIN. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HANGING LIGHT SHIELD IN THE LIQUOR WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
56
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.PIC IN CHARGE GAVE HATS TO FOOD HANDLERS.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS AT ALL BARS AND DISH AREA ENCRUSTED WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE, NSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY ALSO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS
55
55
Nov 18, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SHARED MEADOWLARK/LARDON INDIVIDUAL RESTROOMS MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREP AND REACH-IN COOLERS THROUGHOUT MAIN KITCHEN AREA AND BASEMENT PASTRY KITCHEN AREA MISSING INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
36
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT THE KITCHEN AREA DISH MACHINE TO BE SOILED WITH DEBRIS AND NOT EASILY-READABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INSTRUMENT GAUGES AT DISH MACHINE AND MAINTAIN WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE INSTRUMENT GAUGES EASILY-READABLE AT ALLTIMES.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LINE COOLER LIDS ON BOTH PREP COOLERS AT THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE IN POOR REPAIR, LID LATCHES DAMAGED AND PARTIALLY MISSING GASKETS ALONG EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LINE COOLER LIDS FOR ALL PREP COOLERS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN LINE AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT IN GOOD REPAIR AND PROPER ADJUSTMENT.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR GREASE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN EXTERIOR OF OUTDOOR WASTE RECEPTACLES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOILS AND PREVENT ATTRACTION OF INSECTS AND RODENTS AND MAINTAIN.
54
78
Jul 25, 2023
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULTED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS AND FOOD SPILL INSIDE PREP AREA COOLER (UNDER GRILL). MUST CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE BUILD ON JUICE REACH IN 2-DOOR COOLER CONDENSER AT BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP INSIDE SAID COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
49
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
58
82
Jul 14, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 27, 2021
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT 2202 N CALIFORNIA DOOR SWEEP AND AT SOUTHWEST EXIT DOOR. MUST RODENT PROOF DOORS/MAKE TIGHT FITTED.
38
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark on file is from Aug 18, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark?

Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark.

Has Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark 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 Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark is inspected roughly once per year on average.