Tavern on Rush
Last inspected: Feb 25, 2026
100
Score
Inspectors have visited Tavern on Rush six times, with records going back to 2024. The most recent report on file is from Feb 25, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around one violation, down from roughly five violations earlier in the record.
When inspectors have written things up, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Tavern on Rush on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 25, 2026
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 18, 2026
Complaint
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 44.1 F AND 48.0 F INSIDE DELI PREP COOLER ON 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA- SALAD DRESSING, CRAB MIX, FETA CHEESE AND RICOTTA WHIPPED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0 F OR BELOW IF HELD COLD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. ALL SAID OUT OF TEMPERATURE TCS FOODS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. FOODS DISCARDED WEIGHT- 20 LBS, VALUED AT $150.00.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: FOUND 2ND FLOOR DELI PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 48.0 F. FOUND SALAD DRESSING, FETA CHEESE, ETC. HELD INSIDE COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR COOLER, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0 F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
33
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED BLACK DIRT BUILD INSIDE 2ND FLOOR AND BASEMENT ICE MACHINES, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINES BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. ALL ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINES VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED.
16
67
Jun 26, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19 OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING UTILIZED AS SHELVING IN LIQUOR ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE CARDBOARD IS NOT USED. MUST USE NON-ABSORBENT EASILY CLEANABLE, AND NON TOXIC MATERIAL.
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95
Jun 10, 2025
Complaint
8 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN COFFEE SERVICE AREA WITH NO PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE PAPER TOWELS ARE PROVIDED AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH PREVIOUS VIOLATION.
10
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SHELLSTOCK TAGS WITHOUT THE DATE LISTING WHEN THE LAST OF THE SHELLSTOCK WAS SOLD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THE DATE IN WHICH THE LAST OF THE SHELLSTOCK IS SOLD IS TO BE DOCUMENTED ON THE SHELLSTOCK TAG. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
14
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOLLUSCAN SHELLSTOCK WITHOUT TAGS AFFIXED TO CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE SHELLSTOCK TAGS ARE AFFIXED TO CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER DISCARDED 20 POUNDS OF MUSSELS ($100) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH PREVIOUS VIOLATION.
14
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF BASEMENT ICE MACHINES NOT CLEAN TO SIGHT AND TOUCH. ICE MACHINES HAD BLACK BUILD UP ON WHITE INTERIOR PANELS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MORE THAN 20 SMALL FLIES THROUGHOUT FACILITY INCLUDING IN BAR AREA, IN KITCHEN PREP AREA, IN DISH AREA, IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM, AND IN UPSTAIRS BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MINIMIZE SMALL FLY POPULATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINKS BLOCKED BY STRAINERS AND UTENSILS STORED IN HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE HAND WASHING SINKS ARE USED FOR NO PURPOSE OTHER THAN HAND WASHING. MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS FROM HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ON SITE FOR MEASURING UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF HOT WATER DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
48
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 HAND WASHING SINKS WITH NO HAND SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE HAND SOAP IS PROVIDED AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. MANAGER STOCKED SOAP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH PREVIOUS VIOLATION.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK FOOD CONTAINERS OF RICE AND FLOUR NOT LABELED.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING UTILIZED AS SHELVING IN LIQUOR ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE CARDBOARD IS NOT USED. MUST USE NON-ABSORBENT EASILY CLEANABLE, AND NON TOXIC MATERIAL.
47
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE CURRENT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ARE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENT.
58
37
Sep 5, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 27, 2024
License
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. EQUIPMENT MUST PROPERLY SANITIZE AT A MINIMUM OF 50 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNIT UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (CDPH). ECOLAB ON SITE CURRENTLY PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. NO CITATION ISSUED.
16
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED BATHROOMS IN BASEMENT ARE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSINK ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE STANDARDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN BASEMENT REAR PREP/ DISH AREA HANDSINK NEEDED AT MANUEL 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tavern on Rush last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tavern on Rush on file is from Feb 25, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tavern on Rush?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Tavern on Rush.
Has Tavern on Rush's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tavern on Rush have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tavern on Rush 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 Tavern on Rush inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tavern on Rush is inspected around four times per year on average.
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