The Great Steak & Potato Co.
Last inspected: Mar 27, 2025
100
Score
The health department has logged 19 inspections at The Great Steak & Potato Co., the earliest from 2010. The most recent report on file is from Mar 27, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near one violation each time.
“Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” comes up most often, recorded seven times in the inspection record.
The Great Steak & Potato Co.'s latest score of 100 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
19
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 27, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 9, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Cover panel for ice maker is removed around upper coils, instructed to put back cover to prevent ice contamination.
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: Using one of the 3 compartments at dish washing 3-comp sink to store clean utensils, instructed to keep all 3 compartments clear for any time washing needs and use drying rack to hold wet utensils to dry.
48
90
Apr 4, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 1, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 12, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT PREP AREA HANDSINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STYROFOAM TAKEOUT CONTAINERS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO AVOID CONTAMINATION BY INVERTING CONTAINERS WHILE STORED.
45
90
Jan 17, 2020
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE POSTED OR NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
5
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BLACK AND PINK SLIMY SUBSTANCE BUILT UP ON INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE AND DRIPPING ONTO ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA OF FACILITY. PERSON IN CHARGE CORRECTED DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CLEAN AND SANITIZED AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TOOLS (DRILLS, LARGE CORDS, SCREW DRIVERS, SAW,)STORED THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA ON SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND DESIGNATE AREA FOR ITEMS TO BE STORED AWAY FROM FOOD ITEMS AND PREP SPACE. MUST MAINTAIN.
55
78
Feb 19, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH [POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH POLICY OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES ON SITE FOR VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP KIT AND POST PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN INTERIOR CONTACT PANEL INSIDE ICE MACHINE, PANEL A LITTLE DIRTY, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE RUST ON STORAGE RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER, SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE.
58
70
Jan 10, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: Observed pre-portioned condiments, hot sauce, vinegared sliced jalapenos, at front preparation station, for sale to public missing label. Instructed manager to provide labels.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Observed bulk food container in rear dry storage, under 1 compartment sink with broken lid. Instructed manager to repair and or replace. Maintain at all times. Observed can opener mounting bracket, on prep table, in prep area with cracked and chipped surface. Informed manager that all surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed manager to replace and ensure surface is smooth and easily cleanable.
32
90
Jan 26, 2017
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: Found potentially hazardous foods (sliced tomatoes, steak, chicken, etc.) without proper labels. Must label all prepped, potentially hazardous foods with name and date. Must maintain same. Found bulk food items (potatoes) without proper label. Must label all bulk food containers with name. Must maintain same.
30
95
May 17, 2016
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF OIL AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE FRYERS, AND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SHELVING UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS (BAGS, PURSES) BEING STORED ON TOP OF THE SODA RACK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS AWAY FROM FOOD AND FOOD EQUIPMENT, OR IN THE PROVIDED LOCKERS.
41
90
May 10, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (CHILI) AT 124 DEGREES IN THE STEAM TABLE, WHICH MANAGER STATED HE WAS USING TO REHEAT THE CHILI. THE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROX. 1 LB WORTH $4 OF CHILI. INSTRUCTED THAT THE STEAM TABLE MUST NOT BE USED TO REHEAT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AND THAT ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST BE HOT HELD AT 140 DEGREES OR ABOVE. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
3
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED APPROX. 12 MOUSE DROPPINGS UNDER AND AROUND THE SODA RACK/COMPRESSOR. OBSERVED APPROX. 13 SMALL FLIES NEAR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE SODA RACK/COMPRESSOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY AND RECOMMENDED TO OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF A LICENSED PEST CONTROL OPERATOR. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-020
18
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF OIL AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE FRYERS, AND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SHELVING UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS (BAGS, PURSES) BEING STORED ON TOP OF THE SODA RACK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS AWAY FROM FOOD AND FOOD EQUIPMENT, OR IN THE PROVIDED LOCKERS.
41
82
Dec 21, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BROKEN LID AT POTATO BULK FOOD ITEM CONTAINER.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR TOP PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE BLACK SUBSTANCE. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL GREASE, DUST AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER FRYERS AND GRILL.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN WALL BEHIND THE COOK LINE. MUST REMOVE GREASE, AND FOOD DEBRIS
35
86
Jan 16, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR TOP PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS AND REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE LEAK ON THE INTERIOR OF THE SMALL PREP COOLER. (FRY COOLER)
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION FOR EMPLOYEES AS REQUIRED.
45
86
Aug 13, 2014
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 11, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: REAR PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT MAINTAINED. NO COLD WATER. COLD WATER MUST BE TURNED ON AND OFF FROM UNDER SINK. MUST REPAIR SINK SO COLD WATER IS PROVIDED FROM COLD WATER HANDLE. GIVEN 48 HOURS TO CORRECT AND INSTRUCTED TO USE FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK UNTIL REPAIRED. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030.
11
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
43
90
Feb 26, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE DELI MEAT SLICER TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS. ALSO MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF WALK IN COOLER (FAN COVER AND CEILING)TO REMOVE DUST.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN FRONT PREP AREA AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND AT REAR AROUND PREP TABLE TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
34
90
Mar 7, 2012
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF FRYERS TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS DRAINS AT REAR PREP AREA.
34
90
Mar 9, 2011
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. WASHED, RINSED AND SANITIZED. THE TABLE UNDER THE GRILL HAS SOME GREASY BUILDUP WHICH NEEDS TO BE
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: CLEAN GREASE BUILDUP FROM THE FRONT FLOOR DRAIN AND THE DISH SPRAYER HANDLE.
38
90
Jun 23, 2010
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. Any open #10 cans of food must be transferred to regular containers once opened.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. Interior ledges of small coolers & door gaskets of same, at front service line, must be free of food debris.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. Must fix leaky faucet at rear prep sink.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Great Steak & Potato Co. last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Great Steak & Potato Co. on file is from Mar 27, 2025. The public record contains 19 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Great Steak & Potato Co.?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at The Great Steak & Potato Co..
Has The Great Steak & Potato Co.'s inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Great Steak & Potato Co. have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Great Steak & Potato Co. 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 The Great Steak & Potato Co. inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Great Steak & Potato Co. is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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