Original Pancake House
Last inspected: Jun 24, 2025
90
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Original Pancake House, the earliest from 2017. On Jun 24, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly seven violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 24, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINERAL BUILD UP INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2-3 CRACKED FLOOR TILES BY FLOOR DRAIN NEAR DISH MACHINE. MUST REPAIR.
55
90
Jul 8, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES ON PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE CUSTOMER'S WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOO IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.
40
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHILEDS COVERS ABOVE PREP TABLES IN FRONT PREP AREA AND ABOVE FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Nov 28, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOPS IN THE UTILITY SINK. HANG MOPS TO DRY AFTER USE TO DETER INSECT BREEDING GROUNDS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: STORE ALL CLEANING SUPPLIES, INCLUDING MOP BUCKETS AND RACKS FOR RUGS, IN THE SERVICE AREA AWAY FROM FOOD-RELATED ITEMS.
55
90
Feb 8, 2022
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER:-SAUSAGE 48.6F, CHICKEN SAUSAGE 46.6F, CHEESE 50.7F, SLICED TOMATOES 44.1F. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
22
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASH SINK BY THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING MACHINES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: ALL ESTABLISHMENT MUST PROVIDE A WRITTEN POLICY/PROCEDURE FOR CHECKING VACCINATION STATUS OF CUSTOMERS.
64
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: THE ESTABLISHMENT MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF EMPLOYEE VACCINATION OR PROOF OF WEEKLY TESTING PER CITY ORDER.
64
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE SERVICE COOLER UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.
36
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED HIGH-TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE GAUGE NOT MAINTAINING FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE OF 180F PER CODE; HOWEVER, THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE STRIP READING WAS 180F. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, MONITOR, AND MAINTAIN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE OF THE FINAL RINSE.
47
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL BUSINESSES MUST POST SIGNAGE REQUIRING ALL CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES TO PROPERLY WEAR MASK
64
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: ALL ESTABLISHMENT MUST PHYSICALLY AND VISUALLY VERIFY PROOF OF VACCINATION UPON ENTERING THE RESTAURANT TO DINE IN (DINE IN ONLY - 10 MINUTES)
64
55
Mar 16, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNIDENTIFIABLE LIQUID IN SPRAY BOTTLE AND UNIDENTIFIABLE WHITE POWDER IN CONTAINER BEING USED. OBSERVED NO LABEL TO IDENTIFY SUBSTANCE. MUST PROVIDE PROPER LABEL FOR ALL CHEMICALS USED IN FACILITY. DISCARDED POWDER AND LIQUID. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-015
28
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON HANDLED SCOOPS WITHIN FOOD PRODUCT. MUST HAVE HANDLED SCOOPS AND DO NOT STORE SCOOPS WITHIN FOOD PRODUCT.
39
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
82
Apr 3, 2020
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: 2.5 LBS OF COOKED CUT BREAKFAST SAUSAGE STORED INSIDE THE PREP COOLER AT TEMP OF 50.1F TO 61.9F. ALSO FOUND 26 EACH FRESH EGGS STORED INSIDE THE PREP COOLER AT TRAYLINE AT TEMP OF 52.2F TO 53F. COLD TCS MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 41F AND BELOW. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED 5 POUNDS. VALUE 15 . PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005
22
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING THE PREPARATION AND CONSUME BY/DISCARD DATE (MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS TOTAL) OF ALL REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24HRS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#: 7-38-005.
23
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND PROCEDURE/PLAN ON SITE HOWEVER KIT NOT COMPLETE MISSING SOLUTION TO CONTROL NOROVIRUS FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, ALSO MISSING MOP,ETC INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: HANDWASHING SINK BETWEEN DISHROOM AND REAR PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE TO HAND WASHING, A LONG MOBILE CART FULL WITH FLOOR RUBBER MATS AT SIDE OF HANDWASHING SINK BLOCKING THE PASSAGE FROM DISHROOM AND HANDWASHING SINK, IN FRONT OF SAID SINK TWO YELLOW MOP BUCKETS. UPON MY REQUEST MANAGER ON DUTY REMOVED MENTIONED ITEMS, SAID SINK IS ACCESSIBLE FOR HANDWASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-030
10
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MUST INDICATE ON MENU "COOK TO ORDER" PHRASE FOR EGGS,STEAKS, ETC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005,
25
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: PINK SUBSTANCE AT INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE BIN FRONT WHITE PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT.
16
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FAUCET NECK AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS LEAKING. REPAIR CAUSE
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: INSIDE AREA WASTE OIL CONTAINER WITH EXCESS SOLID WASTE OIL ON TOP THE UNIT AND CEMENT FLOOR,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
54
50
May 13, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER HANDLE/REMOVE TOASTED BREAD, COOKED READY TO EAT FOOD, FROM COMMERCIAL TOASTER WITH BARE HAND CONTACT, AT EXPO LINE AREA IN KITCHEN. ALSO OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER AT COOK LINE AREA TOUCH/ARRANGE COOKED PANCAKES WITH BARE HAND CONTACT, INSIDE STYROFOAM TOGO CONTAINER. INFORMED MANAGER THAT BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS IS NOT ALLOWED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO USE BARRIERS SUCH AS TONGS AND OR SINGLE USE GLOVES TO PREVENT BARE HAND CONTACT. VIOLATION CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION # 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
9
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY TO EAT/TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS, PREPARED ON SITE, STORED IN COLD HOLDING UNITS WITHOUT LEGIBLE DATE MARKING TAGS, GRAVY, ETC. STORED IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS, OVER NIGHT, WITHOUT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INFORMED MANAGER THAT TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS STORED FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE PROPER LABEL AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24HOURS. MANAGER CORRECTED VIOLATION DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE/REMINDER INDICATED ON MENU OF RAW/UNDER COOKED FOODS, FOR CUSTOMER VIEW. INFORMED MANAGER THAT THE DISCLOSURE/REMINDER STATEMENT AND INDICATOR MUST BE IN PLAIN VIEW OF THE CUSTOMER, INDICATED ON MENU OF RAW/UNDER COOKED FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY SIGNAGE, DISCLOSURE/REMINDER INDICATED. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION # 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: UNABLE TO IDENTIFY/OBSERVED GREASE TRAP OR CATCH BASIN INSTALLED/LOCATED AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA OR ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO IDENTIFY OR INSTALL GREASE TRAP IN SAID AREA AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
52
67
Mar 29, 2018
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED SINK LOCATED NEXT TO MOP SINK DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FEW READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS NOT PROPERLY LABELED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROPERLY LABEL ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME, PREPARED BY DATE AND/OR USED BY DATE.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT ON THE INTERIOR PANELS OF ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPING AND HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.
42
78
Dec 11, 2017
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT UTENSILS AT COFFEE/WATER BUS STATION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST DISCONTINUE USING MILK CRATES AS STORAGE RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER AND IN PREP AREA.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES IN PREP COOLERS, LOWER SHELVES ON PREP TABLES, AND SLICER.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOORS IN PREP AREA, DRY STORAGE, STAFF TOILET ROOM AND BREAKROOM, AND IN WALK IN COOLER.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE HANGING FROM FILTERS ABOVE THE GRILL IN THE PREP AREA.
35
Linen: clean and soiled properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE LINENS/RAGS IN SANITIZER WATER WHILE NOT IN USE.
39
74
May 22, 2017
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, DUST AND DEBRIS PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
34
95
May 19, 2017
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: MUST DESIGNATE EXISTING DUMP SINK IN PREP AREA, AS EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA, WITH SPLASH GUARDS, SOAP AND DRYING DEVICE AND/OR PAPER TOWELS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
12
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 6' WIDE OPEN ENTRANCE FROM DINING AREA TO PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT BY PROVIDING DOORS, OR A BARRIER, TO PREVENT PUBLIC ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
16
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROTECTIVE, WASHABLE BARRIER ON SIDE OF STORAGE RACK ADJACENT TO THE MOP SINK TO PROTECT POT/PANS, AND MAINTAIN.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, DUST AND DEBRIS PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
34
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Original Pancake House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Original Pancake House on file is from Jun 24, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Original Pancake House?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Original Pancake House.
Has Original Pancake House's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Original Pancake House have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Original Pancake House 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 Original Pancake House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Original Pancake House is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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