Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern
Last inspected: Jul 1, 2025
82
Score
Across the available record, Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern has 15 inspections on file, the first dated 2013. On Jul 1, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around four violations each, up from closer to two violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up nine times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, this is about average. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 1, 2025
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOK WITH BEARD AND WITHOUT A BEARD RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARDS.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS AT UTILITY CONNECTIONS AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND COOKING LINE. INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF DEEP FRYERS.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: GRIMES ON FLOOR UNDER THE LOW TEMP DISHMACHINE IN PREP AREA AND UNDER THE BAR COUNTER(BEHIND WATER PIPE)
55
82
May 23, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: GRIMES ON FLOOR UNDER THE LOW TEMP DISHMACHINE IN PREP AREA AND UNDER THE BAR COUNTER(BEHIND WATER PIPE)
55
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOK WITH BEARD AND WITHOUT A BEARD RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARDS.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS AT UTILITY CONNECTIONS AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND COOKING LINE. INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF DEEP FRYERS.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
82
Sep 17, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NOTED INDIVIDUAL BOWL WITH NO HANDLE USED FOR SCOOPING SERVING FOOD INSIDE THE REACH IN FREEZER AT THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TONGS, SERVING SPOONS, OR LADLE FOR SCOOPING FOOD.
39
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
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED CLUTTER ON FLOOR AND SHELVES AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTILCE, ELEVATE ALL BOXES AND FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALLS TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED CRACKS ON FLOOR AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ADN MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BSEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION, (EXPIRED CERTIFICATE). INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
78
Jan 11, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT EXTERIOR TOP OF GREASE BOX WITH RUST BUILD-UP UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP DISHWASHING AREA.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CRACKED LIGHTSHIELD ABOVE REAR PREP/HALLWAY AREA.
55
90
Oct 18, 2021
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 4 DEAD ROACHES BEHIND ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN FACILITY FREE OF DEAD PESTS.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE WALL-MOUNTED SOAP DISPENSER IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SMALL AMOUNT OF TRASH AND DEBRIS ON GROUND AROUND DUMPSTERS IN ALLEY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND KEEP CLEAN.
54
86
Sep 8, 2021
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 22, 2020
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN/MISSING DOOR HANDLES ON THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER AND COOKS LINE THREE DOOR COOLER. MUST REPLACE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING THROUGHOUT ENTRANCE TO KITCHEN DRY FOOD STORAGE, WOODEN WALL MOUNTED FRY SLICER AND WOODEN WALL MOUNTS FOR METAL RACK SHELVING AT THE DISH WASHING AREA MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED/NON-ABSORBENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MISSING CEILING WITH EXPOSED INSULATION IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER HALLWAY. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
55
82
Jul 15, 2020
Routine
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. FOOD SUCH AS BURGERS AND STEAKS. MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY THAT DISCLOSES AND REMINDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
25
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION #2288359 ON 5-7-19 NOT CORRECTED #58- NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGN IN THE WOMAN'S WASHROOM USED BY EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN/MISSING DOOR HANDLES ON THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER AND COOKS LINE THREE DOOR COOLER. MUST REPLACE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING THROUGHOUT ENTRANCE TO KITCHEN DRY FOOD STORAGE, WOODEN WALL MOUNTED FRY SLICER AND WOODEN WALL MOUNTS FOR METAL RACK SHELVING AT THE DISH WASHING AREA MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED/NON-ABSORBENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CEILING TILES AND VENTILATION ABOVE CLEAN DISH STORAGE AT DISH WASH AREA WITH EXCESSIVE DUST AND DIRT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----MISSING CEILING WITH EXPOSED INSULATION IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER HALLWAY. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
57
61
May 7, 2019
Routine
5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY WITH DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON MENU. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY WITH DISCLOSURE (1. ASTERIK NEXT TO THE FOOD AND 2. STATEMENT ABOUT THE FOOD) AND REMINDER ON MENU OR TABLE TENTS/PLACARDS ON ALL TABLES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER NOT CALIBRATED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CALIBRATE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS AND KEEP ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REFRIGERATED TCS FOODS WITHOUT SELL BY DATES ON LABELS. INSRTRUCTED MANAGER REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOOD, PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD GREATER THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE SELL BY DATE ON LABELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: DISWASH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MIDDLE COMPARTMENT STOPPER NOT WORKING. MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPER FOR SAID SINK.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING TILES/CEILING VENTILATION COVER ABOVE DISHWASH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND DUST/FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS AT DISWASH AREA. MUST CLEAN ALL UNCLEAN CEILING TILES AND WALLS THROUGHOUT DISHWASH AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED BY SOUTH STAIRCASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE ITEMS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
50
Jan 10, 2018
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOOD NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE AND DISPLAY: OBSERVED VACUUM PACKAGED FOODS (STEAKS, CHORIZO, ETC.) STORED IN THE FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT AND REFRIGERATORS WITHOUT A IDPH OR CDPH APPROVED HACCP PLAN ON THE PREMISES. THE VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT HAS BEEN TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CDPH APPROVED HACCP PLAN IS NEEDED BEFORE VACUUM PACKAGING ANY FOOD. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED THE VACUUM PACKAGED FOODS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005A
16
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COBWEBS AND DEBRIS ON THE WALL ACROSS FROM THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT NEAR THE STAIRS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ON THE CEILING VENT ABOVE THE REACH-IN COOLER IN THE PREP AREA AND THE WALL BEHIND THE COOLER TO THE RIGHT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.
35
82
Jan 3, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: BOTH LOW TEMPERATURE BAR GLASS MACHINE AND LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE NOT SANITIZING, BOTH AT 0 PPM CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER BOTH BAR GLASS MACHINE AND DISHMACHINE MUST SANITIZE AT 100 PPM CHLORINE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
8
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALL LIGHT SWITCH COVER MISSING AT PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SWITCH COVER FOR WALL.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED ALONG SOUTH WALL. MUST ELEVATE OR REMOVE ITEMS.
41
86
Apr 22, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN CEILING FAN ABOVE THE DISH MACHINE TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ALWAYS LABEL SANITIZING SPRAY BOTTLES BEING STORED IN CLEANING MATERIAL STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE OFF PREMISES NON-WORKING OR NON-UTILIZED EQUIPMENT FROM PREMISES SO AS TO NOT HAVE CLUTTER IN THE KITCHEN AND THE FINISHED BASEMENT PREP AREA.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: MUST HAVE NEW EMPLOYEES OBTAIN THEIR IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATES AT ALL TIMES. PROVIDED PROOF FOR NEW HIRE.MUST PROVIDE FOR THE NEXT ROUTINE INSPECTION.
45
86
Sep 30, 2015
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: FLAT WARE STORED IMPROPERLY, INSTRUCTED TO INVERT, TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION,
31
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: BASEMENT AREA FLOOR NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN, MUST REPAIR BROKEN BRICK TILE AT READ DOOR,
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: SLOW DRAINING EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND BAR AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR,
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: BASEMENT AREA CLUTTERED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN, PROVIDE SHELVING FOR WANTED ITEMS, MUST STORE ITEMS 6 INCHES FROM FLOOR AND WALL,
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING IN ILLINOIS CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, MUST PROVIDE,
45
78
Jan 28, 2014
License
No violations found.
100
Nov 4, 2013
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern on file is from Jul 1, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern.
Has Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern 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 Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Roscoe-Damen, Corp. — Commonwealth Tavern is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants