The Original Pancake House
Last inspected: Mar 6, 2026
90
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at The Original Pancake House, the earliest from 2019. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 6, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near three violations each time.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited 12 times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; The Original Pancake House is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 6, 2026
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING HADWASH SIGNAGE AT DISHWASH PREP AREA HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
47
90
Mar 28, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE PREP AND KITCHEN AREA TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
55
95
Nov 20, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOPS IN THE UTILITY AREA NOT PROPERLY STORE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WET MOP UPRIGHT TO PROPERLY DRY.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE AIR VENT IN THE DISH WASHING AREA VERY DUSTY, ALSO IN THE MENS EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHES LAYING ON COUNTER TOPS AND PREP STATION WHILE NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHES IN A SANITATION SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARD IN THE KITCHEN WITH DEEP DARK GROVES. MUST RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN.
47
82
Apr 15, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP DARK GROVES. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER ON THE FLOOR AROUND THE FLOOR DRAINS AT THE DISH WASHING MACHINE. MUST KEEP DRY AS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT BREEDING PLACE FOR PESTS.
55
90
Dec 11, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HOT WATER FAUCET KNOB AT THE HANDSINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR FAUCET KNOB.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS WHERE NEEDED AT SINKS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRYING RACK FOR MOPS AND BROOMS IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE RACK FOR PROPER STORAGE OF MOPS AND BROOMS AT UTILITY SINK.
55
86
Mar 21, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HAND SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA NOT WORKING PROPERLY. OBSERVED WASTE WATER BACKING UP FROM THE PIPE NEXT TO THE HAND SINK ONTO THE FLOOR WHEN WATER IS TURNED ON. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-30-030(C)
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN AREA AT ALL TIMES. TRASH MUST BE STORED INSIDE RECEPTACLE WITH LID SHUT TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PESTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-020(B).
54
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK IN REAR PREP AREA INACCESSIBLE DUE TO WATER BEING SHUT OFF AT LOWER VALVES, EFFECTIVELY RENDERING HANDSINK INOPERABLE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HOT AND COLD WATER MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-30-030(C)
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT THE HAND SINK AT THE WAITRESS STATION AS REQUIRED FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE SOAP AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION #7-38-030(C).
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP COOLERS WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES AND EXCESSIVE BLACK MARKS.INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK IN DISH WASHING STATION WITH LEAK AT BOTTOM ELBOW. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BUILD UP IN FLOOR DRAIN AT DISHMACHINE, AND AROUND DRAIN UNDERNEATH DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
55
Feb 4, 2021
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP TABLES IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING; CLEAN OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAIN AT THE DISHMACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Feb 1, 2021
Routine
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO WASHROOMS (EMPLOYEE WOMENS AND CUSTOMER WOMENS IN SMALL DINING AREA) WITH NO HOT RUNNING WATER. WATER AT 69F. INSTRUCTED THAT HOT RUNNING WATER MUST BE AT A MINIMUM OF 100F AT ALL TIMES AT ALL HANDSINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) ISSUED.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE IN POOR REPAIR HANGING TO ONE SIDE; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR REPLACE PLASTIC PANEL.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP TABLES IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING; CLEAN OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: SEE VIO. #60
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: SEE VIO #60
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAIN AT THE DISHMACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: SEE VIO #60.
56
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM FEBRUARY 26, 2020 AS REQUIRED; MUST CORRECT. #51 THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET AND AT THE ELBOW INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. #53 FOUND THE TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN EMPLOYEE'S TOILET ROOM WITH NO LID/COVER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH A LID/COVER. #56 FOUND THE LIGHT SHIELD MISSING IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.
60
61
Feb 26, 2020
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: FOUND WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: FOUND THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET AND THE 3-COMPARTMENT LEAKS AT THE ELBOW. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: FOUND THE TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN EMPLOYEE'S TOILET ROOM WITH NO LID/COVER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE LID/COVER.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND THE CEILING TILES IN THE PREP/DISH WASHING AREA WITH DIRT/DUST BUILD UP. THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE COOKING/COOLING EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE RACKS IN THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS WITH FOOD AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: FOUND THE LIGHT SHIELD MISSING IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.
56
74
Apr 10, 2019
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR AT GRILL OF FOOD SPILLS AND FOOD DEBRIS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER AND CONSTRUCTION TOOLS/EQUIPMENT IN STORAGE AREAS OF WEST ADDITION. ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Original Pancake House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Original Pancake House on file is from Mar 6, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Original Pancake House?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 12 times, more than any other issue at The Original Pancake House.
Has The Original Pancake House's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Original Pancake House have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Original Pancake House 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 Original Pancake House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Original Pancake House is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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