Smyth the Loyalist
Last inspected: Nov 13, 2025
78
Score
Inspectors have visited Smyth the Loyalist 13 times, with records going back to 2016. On Nov 13, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited seven times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 13, 2025
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTED SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT RUSTED SHELVES OR REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE MOLD GROWTH AND BUILDUP ON THE COMPRESSOR, FAN COVERS AND DRIP TRAY IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. CLEAN THE DEBRIS BUILDUP INSIDE OF THE DOOR OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN THE 1ST FLOOR DISHROOM.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPLACE THE MISSING VINYL BASEBOARD BEHIND THE DISHWASHING MACHINES IN THE 1ST FLOOR DISHROOM.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE LOYALIST BAR.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN THE 1ST FLOOR DISHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHTBULBS THAT ARE NOT WORKING AND INCREASE LIGHTING WHERE DISHES ARE WASHED.
56
78
Jun 17, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE LOYALIST BAR AND FOOD PREP AREA UNDER THE CONVECTION OVEN AND ALONG THE WALLS.
55
95
Apr 30, 2024
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
95
Apr 23, 2024
Complaint
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE SPILLED ON THE GROUND NEAR THE GREASE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OUTSIDE WASTE GREASE AREA AND WASTE GREASE CONTAINER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.
54
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE ON A FIRST-FLOOR FRONT COFFEE BAR HAND WASH SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT, AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
78
Aug 28, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FLOORS, SPECIFICALLY IN THE CORNERS NEAR THE PRODUCE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS AND PREP TABLES AND TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP IN THE BASEMENT. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
95
Aug 21, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A WHITE PANEL INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE THAT TOUCHED ICE FILLED WITH A BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO WASH, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED.
16
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPER BEING STORED ON THE TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE STORED IN THE BASEMENT WITH THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACES EXPOSED. INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO STORE ICE SCOOP BETWEEN USES PROPERLY.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FLOORS, SPECIFICALLY IN THE CORNERS NEAR THE PRODUCE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS AND PREP TABLES AND TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP IN THE BASEMENT. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
82
Jun 29, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENT COVER HANGING FROM CEILING ABOVE BATHROOM TOILET (1ST FLOOR LEFT SIDE). MUST REPAIR.
55
95
Oct 14, 2021
Recent Inspection
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS LISTED ON MENU. INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOT NOTE THAT STATES: "ITEMS CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS" AND ADD A STATEMENT THAT READS: "CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED ANIMAL PRODUCTS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS." (REFER TO EXAMPLE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION & CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE ON CDPH WEBSITE) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
25
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11 OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN BASEMENT MOP SINK AND PREP TABLE WHERE BEVERAGES AND WHOLE FRUIT WAS STORED. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD TO AVOID CONTAMINATION.
39
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN ALL-GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM ON 1ST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
58
78
Sep 30, 2021
Suspected Food Poisoning
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS LISTED ON MENU. INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOT NOTE THAT STATES: "ITEMS CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS" AND ADD A STATEMENT THAT READS: "CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED ANIMAL PRODUCTS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS." (REFER TO EXAMPLE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION & CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE ON CDPH WEBSITE) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
25
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN BASEMENT MOP SINK AND PREP TABLE WHERE BEVERAGES AND WHOLE FRUIT WAS STORED. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD TO AVOID CONTAMINATION.
39
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN ALL-GENDER EMPLOYEE WASHROOM ON 1ST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
58
78
Nov 25, 2019
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
90
May 8, 2018
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT PREP AREA, WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST DISCONTINUE USING MILK AND BREAD CRATES AS STORAGE RACKS THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS AND WALK IN COOLER IN BASEMENT. PROVIDE CORRECT STORAGE RACKS FOR FOOD STORAGE.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR HOLE IN WALL IN MENS TOILET ROOM IN BASEMENT, SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON FAUCET OF UTILITY SINK IN BASEMENT.
38
82
Jul 19, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY LABEL BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH THE NAME OF THE PRODUCT.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT CLEAN DISHES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
31
90
Jul 7, 2016
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: UNFINISHED CEILING IN BASEMENT WHERE ICE MACHINE LOCATED. RAW BRICK AND WOOD SURFACES NOTED ON 1ST FLOOR NEAR WAIT STATION. INSTD TO HAVE SMOOTH, EVEN, NON POROUS, EVEN EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
35
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Smyth the Loyalist last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Smyth the Loyalist on file is from Nov 13, 2025. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Smyth the Loyalist?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Smyth the Loyalist.
Has Smyth the Loyalist's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Smyth the Loyalist have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Smyth the Loyalist 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 Smyth the Loyalist inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Smyth the Loyalist is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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