Protein Bar
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
95
Score
The health department has logged 17 inspections at Protein Bar, the earliest from 2013. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 22, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded six times.
Protein Bar's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE BURNED OUT CEILING LIGHT BULB ABOVE PREP AREA BETWEEN HANDWASH SINKS. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING CEILING LIGHT BULB.
56
95
Dec 4, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 26, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Employees personal items placed on prep table, instructed to keep off food prep tables.
56
95
Apr 20, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CRATES USED FOR ELEVATION IN PREP AREA AND UNDER BEVERAGE DISPENSER CABINET IN DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SMOOTH AND EASILTY CLEANABLE SHELVING.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT LEAK ON PIPING UNDER RINSE BASIN @ 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT REP AREA UNDER ALL HOT COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Feb 1, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT, INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.
40
95
Jan 25, 2021
Recent Inspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS UNDER AND AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT AND BY THE UTILITY SINK, ALSO ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE MALE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
86
Jan 19, 2021
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS UNDER AND AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT AND BY THE UTILITY SINK, ALSO ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE MALE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
86
Jan 12, 2021
Routine
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY. OBSERVED ABOUT 10 SMALL FLIES LOCATED ON THE CEILING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
38
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: 2-101.11 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: 2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN, RICE) ARE BEING PREPARED HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.
2
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS UNDER AND AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT AND BY THE UTILITY SINK, ALSO ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE MALE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
64
Nov 6, 2019
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CAN OPENER IN REAR PREP AREA COVERED IN RUST AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN OR REPLACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 WHITE CUTTING BOARDS IN REAR PREP AREA ATTACHED TO PREP TABLES WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME AROUND THE CAULK OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND DISCONTINUED DRY GOODS BEING STORED IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND ORGANIZE STORAGE AREA.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST OBTAIN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
78
Sep 24, 2018
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: 2-102.12 NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ORGINAL CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (BEEF, CUT GREENS, ETC.) ARE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ORGINAL CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
2
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17(A) INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL REFRIGERATED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOOD, PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR 24 HOURS OR GREATER MUST BE LABELED/SHELF LIFE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12 PREP AREA CUTTING BOARD IN POOR REPAIR/STAINED AND PITTED ABOVE 1-DOOR REACH IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINES.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15(B) DISHWASH HANDWASH BOWL DRAIN PIPE LEAKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 NO FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIEDF FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
67
Sep 22, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARD NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRAINTS, INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.
42
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: BULK FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: ICE BUILD-UP NOTED ON PREP FREEZER, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND KEEP DOOR RUBBER GASKETS IN GOOD SEAL CONDITIONS.
32
86
Jan 23, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: DISPOSABLE PLASTIC KNIVES AND PAPER CUPS USED AS A MULTI-USE UTENSULS. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSILS.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: HEAVY DUST ON PIPE ABOVE ICE MAKER, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MINOR LEAK NOTED UNDRER 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
38
86
Apr 15, 2015
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN VENT COVER IN WALK-IN COOLER OF DUST BUILD UP.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND BASEMENT STORAGE BIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN LIGHT SHIELD PANELS AT CEILING IN DISH AREA AND PREP AREA OF DUST BUILD UP.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER, CLEAN/ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE BIN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
82
Nov 17, 2014
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLY ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. APPROXIMATELY 10 LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE WALLS AND CEILING OVER THE GREASE TRAP AND MOP SINK AND 2 FRUIT FLIES FLYING AROUND THE DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL 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: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, YOGURT, TOFU) WAS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
21
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE PREP AREA BEING USED WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLOWN LIGHT BULB INSIDE OF THE REACH IN DOOR OF THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
36
82
Jan 3, 2014
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED.
30
95
Apr 8, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 1, 2013
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE CONDIMENT COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 80F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE COOLER SO THAT IT MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
2
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Protein Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Protein Bar on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Protein Bar?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Protein Bar.
Has Protein Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Protein Bar have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Protein Bar 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 Protein Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Protein Bar is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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