Middle Brow
Last inspected: May 29, 2025
95
Score
Inspectors have visited Middle Brow 10 times, with records going back to 2019. The most recent report on file is from May 29, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near one violation each time.
The pattern that stands out is “insects, rodents, & animals not present”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Middle Brow is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 29, 2025
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 2-402.11 FOODHANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.MUST PROVIDE.
40
95
Apr 16, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOODHANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.MUST PROVIDE.
40
95
Apr 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ESPRESSO MACHINE.MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.
51
95
Aug 9, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2560768 ON 7/14/22 NOT CORRECTED: 58 - OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE PREP TABLE IN THE REAR PREP AREA AND EXTERIOR OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS.
49
86
Jul 14, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
95
Aug 6, 2020
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 28, 2020
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALLS OF THE PREP AREA, DISH WASHING AREA, DRY STORAGE/OFFICE AREA AND BEER PREP AREA. ALSO OBSERVED 3 LIVE HOUSE FLIES FLYING AROUND IN THESE AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL OR PAINT THE WOOD UNDERNEATH THE BREAD SLICER.
47
86
May 21, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER OF THE RISK OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS ON MENU.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
25
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL GAP AT FLOOR DRAIN IN BEER BARREL STORAGE AREA .MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE CAULKING ALONG FLOOR AND WALL IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP AT HOOD OF PIZZA OVEN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTFICATES FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
57
74
Jan 8, 2019
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: OBSERVED AN APPX"1/2" GAP ALONG TOP OF BEER DELIVERY DOOR,ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR MAN DOOR AND SIDES OF OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR.MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD TRIM ON EXTERIOR OF WALK IN COOLERS AND WOOD TRIM AT CAGED FENCED AREA (BEER KEGS).
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST SEAL GAPS AROUND FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT BAR/PREP AREA , REAR DISH WASHING AREA AND CONCRETE FLOOR IN BEER BARREL STORAGE AREA
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET FOR EMPLOYEES .MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN
57
82
Jan 3, 2019
License
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT PREP AREA COUNTER AND BAR SEATING AREA FROM CUSTOMERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD TRIM ON EXTERIOR OF WALK IN COOLERS AND WOOD TRIM AT CAGED FENCED AREA (BEER KEGS).
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN LEAKY PIPE AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.
51
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN APPX"1/2" GAP ALONG TOP OF BEER DELIVERY DOOR,ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR MAN DOOR AND SIDES OF OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR.MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL GAPS AROUND FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT BAR/PREP AREA , REAR DISH WASHING AREA AND CONCRETE FLOOR IN BEER BARREL STORAGE AREA.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET FOR EMPLOYEES .MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
57
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Middle Brow last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Middle Brow on file is from May 29, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Middle Brow?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Middle Brow.
Has Middle Brow's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Middle Brow have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Middle Brow 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 Middle Brow inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Middle Brow is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants