Mother's Ruin
Last inspected: Aug 26, 2025
90
Score
The health department has logged six inspections at Mother's Ruin, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Aug 26, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately and about seven violations before that.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up 12 times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Mother's Ruin is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 26, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (DEEP FRYERS, GRIDDLE) IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL FACILITIES TO BE SOILED: WALL BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA SOILED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, WALL BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BAR AREA SOILED WITH FRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Aug 21, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING HANDWASHING SINKS TO PROVIDE WATER AT LESS THAN THE REQUIRED MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 75.0F AT THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA HANDWASHING SINK, 78.0F AT THE LEFT-HAND UNISEX WASHROOM, 88.0F AT THE RIGHT-HAND UNISEX WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LISTED HANDWASHING SINKS TO PROVIDE MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100.0F AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30-40 RODENT DROPPINGS AND RODENT FUR PRESENT DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR BASEMENT AREA (ACROSS FROM WATER HEATERS). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RODENT DROPPINGS AND FUR, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREA(S), AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO ELIMINATE ALL EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (DEEP FRYERS, GRIDDLE) IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL FACILITIES TO BE SOILED: WALL BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA SOILED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, WALL BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BAR AREA SOILED WITH FRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
55
70
Dec 9, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS, SUCH AS CHICKEN, WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GROOVES AND DARK STAINS ON CUTTING BOARD IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW WATER PRESSURE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
51
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOTH COOKS IN REAR KITCHEN PREP AREA WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
74
Mar 27, 2023
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REPAINT OR REPLACE METAL STORAGE RACKS INSIDE MAIN WALK-IN COOLER.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES OR LEVEL INFRONT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR KITCHEN, BAR AND IN BASEMENT STORAGE/PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALL WITH DRIED FOOD SPILLAGE AROUND THE BAR AREA.
55
82
Mar 20, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HANDSINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH HAND SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICE ADJACENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO BASEMENT PREP AREA WHERE COFFEE AND LIME/LEMON JUICE IS PREPARED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TODETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR BOTTOM PANEL OF (2) ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT.
16
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REPAINT OR REPLACE METAL STORAGE RACKS INSIDE MAIN WALK-IN COOLER.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID/COVER FOR (2) ICE BIN BEHIND THE BAR.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BEHIND OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA WITH SOME LITTER BEHIND THE DUMPSTER.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES INFRONT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR KITCHEN, BAR AND IN BASEMENT STORAGE/PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING VENT WITH EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION INSIDE (2) WASHROOM.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALL WITH DRIED FOOD SPILLAGE AROUND THE BAR AREA.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WITH INCOMPLETE NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
57
55
Feb 8, 2022
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK UNDERNEATH THE BAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO RE-GROUT FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN AREA AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES ON SOUTH WALL IN BASEMENT AND INSTALL MISSING 4" INCH COVING ALONG BASEBOARDS ALL ALONG THE BASEMENT WALK-IN-COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES/UNUSED KITCHEN EQUIPMENTS ETC. STORED OUTSIDE ALONG THE REAR DIRECTLY BEHIND THE BUSINESS DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mother's Ruin last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mother's Ruin on file is from Aug 26, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mother's Ruin?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 12 times, more than any other issue at Mother's Ruin.
Has Mother's Ruin's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Mother's Ruin have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mother's Ruin 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 Mother's Ruin inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mother's Ruin is inspected around two times per year on average.
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