Leon's BBQ
Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025
86
Score
Inspectors have visited Leon's BBQ 19 times, with records going back to 2010. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 18, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.
Looking across the full record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” is the recurring theme, flagged nine times.
Leon's BBQ's latest score of 86 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
19
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 18, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOILET RESTROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN THE SELF-CLOSING RESTROOM DOOR
53
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK IN PREP AREA SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
53
86
Jul 23, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOILET RESTROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN THE SELF-CLOSING RESTROOM DOOR.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ABOVE THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
86
Jul 21, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS FLOOR MATS AT FRONT PREP AREA IN FRONT OF PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING OF WALK IN COOLER HAS FOOD DERBRIS SPLATTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Oct 19, 2022
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND SINKS IN PREP AREAS & TOILET ROOM MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
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 PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE HANDLE ON HOT HOLDING CABINET IN FRONT PREP AREA.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP INTERIOR CABINET OF FRYERS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCET AT FAR RIGHT SINK OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BOXES BEING USED AS INSIDE GARBAGE CANS IN FRONT PREP AREA ELIMINATE AND PROVIDE PROPER GARBAGE CANS.
54
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN WALK IN COOLER.
56
70
May 14, 2021
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 8, 2020
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Mar 19, 2020
Complaint
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA FOR .MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
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 REMOVE FOIL AND CARDBOARD LINED ON SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT PREMISES ON SHELVING UNITS AND PREP TABLES.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP INSIDE OF MICROWAVE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINETS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL HOLES IN WALL NEAR COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELDS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS.
56
67
Jul 10, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARHEAL EVENTS, BUT MISSING SOME EQUIPMENT, AND A DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE LIGHT OUT IN THE REAR WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGERS.
58
82
Oct 17, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD IN FRONT CHOPPING STATION WITH DEEP GROVES, PITTED, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF MICROWAVE, 2 BURNER STOVE, AND THE FRONT AND REAR UPRIGHT FREEZER INTERIOR, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE REAR LIGHT SHIELDS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
35
86
Jun 1, 2016
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE WALL AND REPLACE THE CEILING TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA WHERE THE WALL HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR THE NEW WALK-IN COOLER. CLEAN THE WALLS IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA.
35
95
Sep 16, 2015
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 LARGE DEEP BUS PANS OF COOKED RIBS IN WALK-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 58.8-86.7F. ALL PRODUCT DISPOSED OF AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 50LBS. $250 VALUE. CITATION ISSSUED 7-38-005A CRITICAL.
3
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: COOKED FOODS (RIBS, HOT LINKS) NOT LABELED OR DATED IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTD TO PROPERLY LABEL SAME.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVES ON SITE. INSTD TO PAINT SAME WITH NON TOXIC PAINT.
32
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO RECORDS OR LOGS ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER REQUIREMENTS.
45
82
Nov 24, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW WOOD IN DRY STORAGE AND IN OUTDOOR WALK IN COOLER. ALL RAW WOOD MUST BE PAINTED, SEALED AND MAINTAINED.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF REACH IN FREEZER UNCLEAN WITH FOOD DEBRIS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF REACH IN FREEZER
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING VENTS NEAR SMOKER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING VENTS.
35
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALL NEAR REACH IN FREEZER IN FRONT COKING AREA UNCLEAN WITH FOOD SPLATTER. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALL IN A SANITIARY CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
35
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON COUNTER. ALL WIPING CLOTHS NEED TO BE STORED IN SANITIZER SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
78
Apr 24, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD USED FOR RIBS IS WORN AND PITTED. REPLACE WORN CUTTING BOARD.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CART USED IN KITCHEN CONTAINING DUCT TAPE. REMOVE DUCT TAPE AND RESTORE CART TO AN EASILY CLEANABLE SMOOTH SURFACE OR REPLACE.
32
90
Mar 6, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 27, 2013
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT#1202354 DATE 07-12-2012 NOT CORRECTED(32)REPLACE THE GASKET AROUND THE WALK-IN COOLER DOOR IT IS RIPPED AND TORN(33)CLEAN THE THREE FRYER CABINETS UNDER THE FRYERS AND THE FILTERS ABOVE CLEANTHE REACHIN FREEZER HAS FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE IT
29
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LABELS ON BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN REAR AREA
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AT FRONT PREP AREA NEXT TO HOT HOLDING UNIT HAS OPEN SEAMS
32
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED OUTSIDE IN REAR AND INSIDE REACH-IN FREEZER IN REAR OF PREMISES
40
82
Jul 12, 2012
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPLACE THE GASKET AROUND THE WALKIN COOLER DOOR IT IS RIPPED AND TORN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE THREE FRYER CABINETS UNDER THE FRYERS AND THE FILTERS ABOVE. CLEAN THE REACHIN FREEZER HAS FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE IT.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: THE VENT IN THE TOILET ROOM IS NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE IT.
38
86
Jul 7, 2011
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: LIGHTSHIELDS THRU-OUT REAR NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME. PEELING PAINT ON WALL IN REAR. REMOVE SAME AND REPAINT.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: PROVIDE THERMOMETER IN WALK-IN COOLER.
40
90
Sep 1, 2010
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST PROVIDE A SCREEN AT WINDOW EXHAUST FAN.MUST REPLACE MISSING HANDLE ON OUTSIDE WALK IN COOLER DOOR.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF DEEP FRYERS,WHEEL BASES OF EQUIPMENT.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST REPLACE MISSING CEILING TILE IN REAR AREA.MUST SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES.MUST ADJUST REAR DOOR SWEEP.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR IN CORNER OF GREASE RECEPTACLE INSIDE.
41
82
Mar 19, 2010
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.DEEP FRYER,FILTERS ,CART,LIGHT SHIELDS.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES,REPAIR OR REPLACE TORN SCREEN ON SCREEN DOOR,MISSING & STAINED CEILING TILES,LOWER WALL IN POOR REPAIR FRONT PREP AREA,LOOSE WALL BASES.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.LOOSE FAUCET AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Leon's BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Leon's BBQ on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains 19 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Leon's BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Leon's BBQ.
Has Leon's BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Leon's BBQ have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Leon's BBQ 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 Leon's BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Leon's BBQ is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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