Nighthawk
Last inspected: Jun 26, 2025
67
Score
Going back to 2016, Nighthawk has six inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Jun 26, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
“Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 26, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITHOUT UP-TO-DATE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE PRESENT ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE PRESENT ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES OF OPERATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON-SITE WHILE TCS FOOD (COFFEE, DAIRY) IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER TRAINING AND ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES OF FOOD OPERATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINKS AT THE BAR AND WASHROOM AREAS MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A GAP GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR AND THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR OR INSTALL DOOR SWEEP TO ELIMINATE GAPS AND MAINTAIN ALL OUTER OPENINGS FREE FROM OPENINGS OR GAPS TO PREVENT ENTRY OF PESTS.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN BOTH GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOMS TO BE UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL WOMEN'S AND GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOMS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SANITARY PRODUCTS AND MAINTAIN.
53
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEES MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES PRESENT ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING TO ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN CERITFICATE(S) ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES.
57
67
Feb 26, 2018
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DAMAGED FLOOR IN THE ENTRANCE OF THE BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR MAKE THE FLOOR SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE. CLEAN THE FLOOR BEHIND THE BAR, STORAGE AREA, REAR AREA BY THE WATER TANK, ALONG THE WALL BASE BEHIND THE COOLERS,CABINET AND 4 COMPT SINK IN THE BAR AREA AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE WALLS AND CEILING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER, WALLS BY THE MOP SINK AREA, AND MAINTAIN.
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: INSTALL A SELF CLOSER DEVICE IN DOOR OF THE FIRST WASHROOM CLOSE TO THE PREP AREA/BAR AND MAINTAIN.
37
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MALE EMPLOYEE PREPARING FOOD IN THE PREP/BAR AREA,NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT TO CONFINE THE HAIR.
42
82
Nov 3, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 2, 2017
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER(S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
45
Previous serious violation corrected, 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2102578 DATED: 01/04/2017. 38 INSTALL A GREASE TRAP BOX UNDER THE 4 COMPT SINK. 09/14/2016. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT NOTED VIOLATION AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090.
14
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: SEE ABOVE CRITICAL VIOLATION #14.
29
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES MUST BE SANDED/BLEACHED OR REPLACED.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT IN NEED FOR A DETAIL CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
34
78
Oct 26, 2017
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: FOUND RODENT(MICE)DROPPINGS APPROXIMATELY 20 ON FLOOR ALONG THE WALLS AT REAR CLUTTERED SOUTHWEST CORNER AND APPROXIMATELY 5 MICE DROPPINGS ON LOWER SHELF OF THE LIQUOR STORAGE AREA NEAR THE WALK-IN-COOLER ALSO,LIVE FRUIT FLIES APPROXIMATELY 6 FOUND ON WALLS IN TOILET ROOMS.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS,ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER/CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES OR VALID DOCUMENTATION WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD.(HANDLES MILK).SERIOUS VIOLATION.7-38-012.
21
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 1932751 DATED:06/14/2016. 32 ALL RAW WOODS SUCH AS THE DOORS OF TWO WASHROOMS AND THE DOOR OF THE CLOSET FOR DRY STORAGE SUPPLY AND MOP SINK MUST BE SEALED OR PAINTED. 09/14/2016. 38 INSTALL A GREASE TRAP BOX UNDER THE 4 COMPT SINK. 09/14/2016. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT NOTED VIOLATIONS AND MAINTAIN BY 11/2/2017. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
29
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES MUST BE SANDED/BLEACHED OR REPLACED.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT IN NEED FOR A DETAIL CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS AT REAR STORAGE AREA AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER(S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
45
70
Jun 14, 2016
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOODS SUCH AS THE DOORS OF TWO WASHROOMS AND THE DOOR OF THE CLOSET FOR DRY STORAGE SUPPLY AND MOP SINK MUST BE SEALED OR PAINTED.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: INSTALL A COVING 4" THRU-OUT THE CLOSET FOR THE DRY STORAGE CLOSET AND ICE MAKER CLOSET. FINISH THE RIM ALONG THE DOOR OF THE DRY STORAGE AND MOP SINK CLOSET. MAKE IT SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD ON THE LIGHT BULB ABOVE THE ICE MAKER OR CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB WITH SHATTERED PROOFED LIGHT BULB.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTALL A GREASE TRAP BOX UNDER THE 4 COMPT SINK.
38
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Nighthawk last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Nighthawk on file is from Jun 26, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Nighthawk?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Nighthawk.
Has Nighthawk's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Nighthawk have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Nighthawk 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 Nighthawk inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Nighthawk is inspected about once every two years on average.
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