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The L Station

186 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606
Bar / Pub
Last inspected: Jan 2, 2026
90
Score
Low Risk

Public records show seven inspections at The L Station stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 2, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to four violations.

“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so The L Station is doing better than most peers. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 2, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE WATERLINE.MUST PROVIDE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR/WALL JUNCTIONS IN BASEMENT IMPROPERLY REPAIRED WITH EXPANDING FOAM AND ROUGH, UNEVEN GRAVEL AND CONCRETE. MUST REPAIR BASEMENT FLOORS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
90
Dec 31, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: FOUND WALK IN COOLER AND REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES.WALK IN COOLER AT 61.9F AND 2 DOOR COOLER AT 62.2F.PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED.TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION BOTH COOLERS.
33
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND TCS FOOD INSIDE COOLERS(WALK IN COOLER/2 DOOR COOLER)AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. 40 POUNDS RAW CHICKEN AT 61.3F, 10 POUNDS HAMBURGER AT 55.7F, 5 LOBSTERS AT 55.8F, 40 POUNDS OF LAMB AT 53.6F, 5 POUNDS SHRIMP AT 54.2F, 80 POUNDS CHEESE AT 63.2F, 20 QUARTS OF CREAM AT 61.7F, AND 2 DOZEN EGGS AND 4 DOZEN EGGS AT 60.8F.PRIORITY VIOLATION.CITATION ISSUED.153 POUNDS OF TCS FOOD DISPOSED.VALUE OF TCS FOODS 1500 DOLLARS.
22
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND MORE THAN 50 RAT DROPPINGS AT BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND SOME AT PREPARATION AREAS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-020A.MUST NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR AND ELIMINATE RAT ACTIVITY.
38
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
58
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND LEAKY 1 COMPARTMENT SINK BY 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT PREPARATION AREAS/BASEMENT AND ALONG WALLS UNDER EQUIPMENT.MUST CLEAN. MUST STORE EVERYTHING OFF FLOORS AND AWAY FROM WALLS AT BASEMENT.
55
58
Dec 19, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: Found 2 glue boards with dead cockroaches stuck on. Instructed to remove and monitor.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Main prep area cooler with damaged lid cover, exposed insulation, Instructed to repair and maintain.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Unable to locate backflow prevention device for basements ice maker, instructed to install one in a clean view.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Missing several floor tile at main kitchen, instructed to replace and maintain.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: No allergen training certificate for food service manager, Instructed to obtain.
58
78
Sep 6, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE /DISH/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
95
Aug 30, 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 & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SHELVES WHERE THE SEASONINGS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE /DISH/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
82
Oct 7, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 6, 2022
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOOR DRAIN AT 3 COMP SINK BAR NOT DRAINING. FOUND WASTEWATER BACKING UP ONTO FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. SEWAGE SHALL BE CONVEYED TO THE POINT OF DISPOSAL AND MAINTAINED AND OPERATED ACCORDING TO LAW.
52
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: FOUND 2 OUT 2 UNISEX TOILET ROOMS WITHOUT COVERED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED OPERATOR TO PROVIDE.
53
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD DEBRIS AND CARDBOARD UNDER AND AROUND OUTSIDE GARBAGE RECEPTACLE. MUST CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
54
86

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The L Station last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The L Station on file is from Jan 2, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The L Station?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The L Station.

Has The L Station's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at The L Station have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The L Station 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 L Station inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The L Station is inspected around two times per year on average.

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