Sanders BBQ
Last inspected: Oct 22, 2025
90
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Sanders BBQ, the earliest from 2024. The most recent visit was on Oct 22, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to three violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited eight times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 22, 2025
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALL AND FLOOR AREA NEAR THE DEEP FYER UNITS WITH A BUILD UP OF FOOD SPLATTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SODA SITTING ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR AS A MEANS OF MAKING THE AREA EASY TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN... ALSO OBSERVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED THEY ***MUST ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE FROM THE FLOOR AT LEAST SIX INCHES OR REMOVE*** AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING A HARBORING SPACE FOR PEST AND INSECTS.
55
90
Sep 26, 2025
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALL AND FLOOR AREA NEAR THE DEEP FYER UNITS WITH A BUILD UP OF FOOD SPLATTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SODA SITTING ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR AS A MEANS OF MAKING THE AREA EASY TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN... ALSO OBSERVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED THEY ***MUST ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE FROM THE FLOOR AT LEAST SIX INCHES OR REMOVE*** AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING A HARBORING SPACE FOR PEST AND INSECTS.
55
90
Jun 11, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF FOOD SPLATTER ON THE WALLS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AS WELL AS ON THE FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE TOILET ROOM NEAR THE PATIO DOOR WITH A MISSING SELF CLOSING DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HAND WASHIND SINK LOCATED NEXT TO THE ICE MACHINE WITH A BUILD UP OF A DARK SUBSTANCE OF SOME SORT ALL OVER THE SINK, FAUCET AND HANDLES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HEAVY BUILD UP OF DUST ON THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM AND FILTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES BELOW AND ANY FOOD ITEMS COOKED IN THE AREA.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO OF THE LIGHTS OUT UNDER THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LIGHTING FOR CLEANING AREA.
56
78
Jan 10, 2025
Routine
16 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: ALL HANDWASHING SINKS IN NEED OF SIGNS FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OLD FLY STRIP IN 3 COMP SINK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND NOT REPLACE.
28
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: ALL FROZEN FISH MUST BE THAWED OUTSIDE OF PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
35
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED IN CONTAINERS MUST BE PROPERLY IDENTIFIED WITH COMMODITY NAME. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER MUST BE STORED ON STORAGE RACK. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: ALL SINGLE SERVICE PLASTIC WARE MUST BE INVERTED TO ELIMINATE ANY CONTAMINATION. INVERT OR OBTAIN INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED ARTICLES.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOOD IN NEED OF SEALING TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, TABLE LEGS, WHEELS ON EQUIPMENT AND BOTTOMS OF PREP TABLES ALL IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: UNUSED OPEN DRAIN UNDER PREP TABLE IN NEED OF SEALING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: UNISEX TOILET ROOMS IN NEED OF COVERED WASTE CAN RECEPTICLE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
53
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: WASTE CAN NEEDED AT ALL HANDSINK TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF PAPRE TOWEL. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL WEL MOPS AND BROOMS MUST BE CLEANED AND INVERTED TO PROPERLY AIR DRY. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN BASEMENT MUST BE REMIVED AND OR ORGANIZED AND UP OFF THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: HOOD VENTILATION IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE DUST, GREASE AND CONDENSATION. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
39
45
Aug 8, 2024
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jun 21, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 13, 2024
Complaint
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED, CONTAINERS ARE OPEN AND OVERFLOWING WITH GARBAGE, GARBAGE ON THE GROUND. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT GARBAGE COMPANY FOR PICK UP AND ADD ADDITONAL PICK UPS REGULARLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED
54
90
Apr 26, 2024
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sanders BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sanders BBQ on file is from Oct 22, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sanders BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Sanders BBQ.
Has Sanders BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sanders BBQ have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sanders BBQ means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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