The Press Room
Last inspected: Oct 8, 2025
90
Score
Inspectors have visited The Press Room 10 times, with records going back to 2017. The most recent visit was on Oct 8, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around five violations each, up from closer to two violations before.
“Non-food/food contact surfaces clean” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; The Press Room is comfortably above that bar. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 8, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP AND THE PIPES UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE WALL UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA.
55
90
Jun 28, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 20, 2024
Routine
7 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING PROVISION AT THE BAR HAND SINK. THE MANAGER ADDED TOWELS DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
10
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: "OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS (DELI MEAT) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING AND DISCARD DATE FOR REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24HRS PLACED IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS. THE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED ALL FOOD THAT WAS NOT DATE-MARKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MENU WITH A FOOTNOTE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU AND MISSING DISCLOSURE BY ASTERICKS FOR RELATED MENU ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNCOOKED ANIMAL-BASED FOOD ITEMS OFFERED (EX. RAW OYSTERS AND ITEMS. (REFER TO THE ONLINE CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.NO CITATION ISSUED
25
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE REAR EXIT DOOR OF THE STORAGE AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: "OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
61
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED, AND SERVED, SUCH AS (OYSTERS, LAMB, AND EGGS) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
48
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
1
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
39
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK IN WINE TASTING WITH SLOW DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS, AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDES DOCUMENTATION.
58
37
May 4, 2023
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WITH A VALID AND ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
90
Mar 31, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED FROM 12-6-2019, REPORT #2352877. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-010(b). INSTRUCTED TO KEEP SUMMARY POSTED FOR PUBLIC TO VIEW AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED.
61
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LABELS ON BULK FOOD CONTAINERS LOCATED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE COMMON NAME TO PROPELRY IDENTIFY.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION IN VENTS IN MEN AND WOMENS TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Dec 6, 2019
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKING AND STORAGE EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA WITH ACCUMULATED DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST REMOVE , CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT WATER HANDLE ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SPINNING AROUND. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
90
Nov 22, 2019
Routine
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VARIOUS TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS STORED IN WALK IN COOLER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS THROUGHOUT FACILITY WITH IMPROPER LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCARD OR USE BY DATE LABELS ON ALL REFRIGERATED READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE STORED ON SITE FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY AND REMINDER STATEMENT INCLUDING ASTERISKING ON MENU ITEMS THAT ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDER-COOKED EX STEAK). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE FOR REVIEW DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020 (C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT WATER HANDLE ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SPINNING AROUND. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING COMPLETION CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER HOLDER. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
58
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKING AND STORAGE EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA WITH ACCUMULATED DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST REMOVE , CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
58
Apr 5, 2018
Suspected Food Poisoning
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS BEHIND BAR AND IN PREP AREA TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST DISCONTINUE USING MILK CRATES AS STORAGE RACKS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER RACKS FOR FOOD STORAGE.
32
90
Aug 24, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 22, 2017
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: CHEESE DISPLAY COOLER NOT AT PROPER TEMP READING 45, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND REPLACE, COOLER MUST BE 40'F,
2
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: BAR AND KITCHEN PREP AREA FLOOR NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE, INSTRUCTED TO RESEAL,
34
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Press Room last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Press Room on file is from Oct 8, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Press Room?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Press Room.
Has The Press Room's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at The Press Room have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Press Room 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 Press Room inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Press Room is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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