The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue
Last inspected: Mar 16, 2026
100
Score
Inspectors have visited The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue 11 times, with records going back to 2023. The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue was last inspected on Mar 16, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near five violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up 13 times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 16, 2026
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Oct 16, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Oct 9, 2025
Complaint
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT REAR HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 100 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS, UNDER FRONT COUNTER, BEHIND COOLERS, NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS, 3-COMPARMENT SINK, NEAR WATER HEATER, PIT, ON CUTTING BOARDS, MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT, ON PALLETS AND FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREA. OBSERVED NUMEROUS FLYING INSECTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA FILLED WITH SOILED CLOTHS AND NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS FROM HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN PREP, COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN SECOND FLOOR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER STORE ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALL FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST CONTROL.
55
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN SINKS AND ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE BUILDUP INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHICKEN IMPROPERLY THAWING IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, UNDER REFRIGERATION OR PART OF COOKING PROCESS.
35
50
Aug 11, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
90
Aug 4, 2025
Complaint
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 100 MICE DROPPINGS ON SHELVING UNITS, MULIT-UUSE EQUIPMENT, PALLETS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN FIRST FLOOR PREP AND SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREAS. OBSERVED NUMEROUS FLYING INSECTS LANDING ON WALLS, PREP TABLES, BULK CONTAINERS, SHELVING UNITS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
38
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES EATING IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEE MEALS OUTSIDE OF PREP AREA.
6
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENING IN FLOOR AROUND PIPE FITTING IN REAR AND MISSING GROUT ON TILES NEAR FRONT HAND WASHING SINK INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
57
61
Mar 24, 2025
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: THE HOT WATER FAUCET IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM LEAKS AT THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS BY THE PIT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA ARE PITTED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE FLOORS. WALL TILE BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK HAS A CRACK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/REGROUT AND MAINTAIN. -
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: WALLS BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK WITH GREASE, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS. -FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT, SINKS AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER/FREEZER WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
78
Jan 24, 2025
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: THE HOT WATER FAUCET IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM LEAKS AT THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS BY THE PIT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA ARE PITTED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE FLOORS. WALL TILE BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK HAS A CRACK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/REGROUT AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: WALLS BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK WITH GREASE, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS. -FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT, SINKS AND INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER/FREEZER WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
78
May 6, 2024
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD AND CHARRED DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAIN AND FLOORS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A CURRENT CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES.
58
82
Mar 6, 2024
Complaint
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENER.
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE GARBAGE CANS BEING USED TO STORE SAUCE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF CANS BY EITHER GETTING A 3-COMPARMENT SINK LARGE ENOUGH TO FULLY SUBMERGE THE CANS. BY USING SMALLER CONTAINERS THAT CAN BE FULLY SUBMERGED IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK OR IMPLEMENTING A CLEAN IN PLACE (CIP) PROCEDURE.
48
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE PIT WITH CHARRED FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE PREP AREAS WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE RIGHT FAUCET ON THE 3-COMP. SINK AND A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE 2-COMP. SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA WITH STAINED WALL TILES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TILED WALLS.
55
67
Jan 26, 2024
Complaint
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENER.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE PIT WITH CHARRED FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE PREP AREAS WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE RIGHT FAUCET ON THE 3-COMP. SINK AND A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE 2-COMP. SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA WITH STAINED WALL TILES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TILED WALLS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER (CFM) ON SITE WITH NO PROOF SHE TOOK THE ALLERGEN TRAINING COURSE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE.
58
67
Apr 4, 2023
License
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNITS, CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.
36
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL, INSECT CONTROL DEVICES INSTALLED ABOVE A FOOD PREP TABLES IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE MANAGER TO RELOCATE SAID INSECT CONTROL DEVICE, SO THAT THE DEVICE IS NOT LOCATED OVER ANY FOOD PREPARATION AREAS AND FOOD PREPARATION EQUIPMENT.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STYROFOAM CUPS STORED IN THE BULK DRY SPICE CONTAINERS AND SCOOPS WITH THE HANDLE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRY FOOD INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSILS WITH HANDLES AND REFRAIN FROM STORING THE UTENSILS WITH THE HANDLE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE FOOD ITEMS.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE MICROWAVE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INSIDE OF THE EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID EQUIPMENT MORE FREQUENTLY.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS WITH DEBIRS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOORS OR FREQUENTLY.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE MEN'S EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND NAINTAIN SAID VENTILATION SYSTEM.
56
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue on file is from Mar 16, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 13 times, more than any other issue at The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue.
Has The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue 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 Uncle Johns Barbecue inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Original Uncle Johns Barbecue is inspected around four times per year on average.
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