The Art of Chicken
Last inspected: Jan 13, 2026
70
Score
Across the available record, The Art of Chicken has 12 inspections on file, the first dated 2013. The most recent visit was on Jan 13, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around seven violations each, up from closer to two violations before.
“Non-food/food contact surfaces clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 13, 2026
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HAND WASH SINKS IN THE UNISEX WASHROOMS AND THE HAND WASH SINK IN THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN WALK-IN COOLER UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD GRADE LIDS AND/OR COVERINGS WHEN STORING ALL FOOD ITEMS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN-USE UTENSILS STORED IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH/REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AND FRYER/GRILL AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS/RUST BUILDUP ON THE OVERHEAD EXHAUST VENTS IN THE DISH WASH AREA IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
56
70
Nov 12, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN BAR AREA WHERE ALCOHOL (BEER) IS DISPENSED INTO PLASTIC CUPS AT FRONT BAR AREA FOR CONSUMPTION TO CUSTOMERS MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER, SOAP & TOWELS, AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION7-38-030(C)
10
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 113.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE.MANAGER ADJUSTED THERMOSTAT NOW AIR TEMPERATURE IS 140.2F AT THIS TIME.MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
33
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH AS 3LBS. COOKED RICE-126.5F,3LBS. COOKED MASHED POTATO-127.8F AND .5LBS. GRAVY-123.6F IN HOT HOLDING CABINET AND STEAM TABLE.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.6.5 LBS. $20.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
21
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN 1- COMPARTMENT SINK & 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINET.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN CEILING ,GAP IN WALL ABOVE 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND AT MOPSINK IN BASEMENT PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER AND MAINTAIN.
58
47
Nov 18, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED METERED FAUCETS AT BOTH RESTROOM HANDWASHING SINKS PROVIDE WATER FOR LESS THAN 15 SECONDS BEFORE NEED TO REACTIVATE THE FAUCET (FLOW FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND UPON ACTIVATION). INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE WASHROOM METERED FAUCETS TO PROVIDE WATER FLOW FOR AT LEAST 15 SECONDS WITHOUT THE NEED TO REACTIVATE THE FAUCET AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKED CHICKEN IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA UPRIGHT COOLER STORED TIGHTLY-COVERED WITH FOOD-GRADE PLASTIC WRAP WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP AND STORE TCS FOODS UNCOVERED OR LOOSELY-COVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING AND MAINTAIN.
33
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP ON BOTTOM OF REAR KITCHEN AREA EXTERIOR DOOR GREATER THAN 1/4" AND UNPROTECTED FROM ENTRY OF INSECTS OR PESTS. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE GAP ON REAR KITCHEN EXTERIOR DOOR TO ELIMINATE ENTRY OF PESTS AND MAINTAIN.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINI SINGLE-USE CUPS USED AS SCOOPS FOR FOOD CONTAINERS IN MAIN PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SINGLE-USE CUPS AND REPLACE WITH UTENSIL WITH A HANDLE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION WHILE SCOOPING AND MAINTAIN.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SIFTER UTENSIL IN THE BASEMENT AREA STORAGE RACK IN POOR REPAIR, HEAVILY-RUSTED AND NO LONGER EASILY-CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD SIFTER AND REPLACE WITH UTENSIL THAT COMPLIES WITH FOOD CODE RULES REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS BENEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA (DEEP FRYERS, GRILL, HOT-HOLDING EQUIPMENT) TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
55
74
Aug 23, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2564475 ON 9/28/22 NOT CORRECTED: 58 - NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON PREMISES FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUS SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE DUST AND DEBRIS ON THE FAN GUARD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.
49
86
Sep 28, 2022
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON PREMISES FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUS SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
95
Sep 15, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO QAC AMMONIA TEST STRIPS ON THE PREMISES TO TEST THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AT THE 3 COMPARMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE CORRECT TEST STRIPS ON THE PREMISES TO MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE SIDES OF THE DEEP FRYER AND THE GREASE TRAP.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE FLOOR BENEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON PREMISES FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUS SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
78
May 13, 2021
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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 VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST HAVE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTH FRONT AND REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEPS. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOORS.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES IN WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE.
53
70
May 8, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SEERVED.. SUCH AS CHICKEN, RICE, SOUP ETC. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER HAS TO BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES FOOS ID PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-12.
21
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE ACCUMULATION UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED AT THE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
40
86
Oct 7, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED TWO HAND WASH SINKS INACCESSIBLE WITH STRAINER IN ONE SINK AND GLOVES,TRASH BAGS AND STOPPERS INSIDE THE DISH WASHING HAND WASH SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HAND WASH SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030
11
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN PLASTIC WRAPS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.NOTED BROKEN LID AT THE REAR CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.NOTED FOIL PAPER USED FOR LINING COOKING EQUIPMENT AT THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH DIRT AND FOOD SPILLS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN THEM DRY INCLUDING THE FLOOR DRAINS.NOTED STANDING WATER ON FLOOR AT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DRY.
34
82
Jun 15, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS BEING STORED INSIDE UPRIGHT REFRIGERATOR AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN AT 54.7F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD. APPROXIMATELY 30LBS VALUE OF $30. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
3
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA.
30
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELD COVER BROKEN IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA ABOVE PREP TABLE. INSTRCUTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND GREASE ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALL BEHIND REFIGERATION UNITS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST SCRAPE AND REPAINT WALL.
35
86
Jul 14, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND DEEP, DARK GROOVES IN THE CUTTING BOARD AT THE STEAM TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TIN FOIL AND MAINTAIN SO ALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND A HOLE IN THE FLOOR NEAR FRONT COUNTER WHERE VENT IS LOCATED. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
34
90
Feb 15, 2013
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE,MAINTAIN VISIBLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNITS.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES BY THE REAR EXIT DOOR DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.ALL ITEMS KEPT MUST BE PROPERLY STORED 6" OFF FLOOR/WALL.
41
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Art of Chicken last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Art of Chicken on file is from Jan 13, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Art of Chicken?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Art of Chicken.
Has The Art of Chicken's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at The Art of Chicken have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Art of Chicken means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is The Art of Chicken inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Art of Chicken is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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