The Submarine Pier
Last inspected: Dec 15, 2025
95
Score
The Submarine Pier has been inspected 20 times since 2014. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 15, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around three violations to closer to one violation per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, showing up four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
20
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 15, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHIPPING PAINT ON GREEN SHLEVING IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
47
95
Jan 15, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP ON INTERIOR SIDE OF ICE MACHINE DOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUST ON GREEN SHLEVING IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
49
90
Jan 12, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 12, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 7, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IMPROPERLY DRAINING, WASTE WATER WITH FOOD DEBRIS IMMEDIATELY BACKING UP FROM DRAIN ONTO FLOOR WHEN WATER BEING DRAINED (ONE BASIN AT TIME). INSTD TO REPAIR SINK TO DRAIN PROPERLY WITHOUT WASTE WATER BACKING UP AND ACCUMULATING ONTO FLOOR. 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY. CITATION ISSUED
52
86
Apr 27, 2022
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES A SEATING AREA IN DINING AREA.
55
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS AND FANGUARD COVERS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOW HOT WATER PRESSURE AT HAND SINK IN PREP AREA.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN REAR STORAGE AREAS AND STORAGE SHELVES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE CHEST FREEZER.
56
67
Jun 3, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE BLACK SUBSTANCE ON CAULKING AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO CLEAN, RE CAULK AND MAINTAIN
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MISSING COVER FOR TRASH RECEPTACLE IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE COVER AND MAINTAIN
53
90
Oct 30, 2020
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 28, 2020
Reinspection
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE THROUGH OUT FACILITY, 66.0F. INSTD TO MAINTAIN HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT ALL TIMES (100F AT HANDWASH SINKS, 110F AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)
50
86
Oct 26, 2020
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN WALK IN COOLER: ROAST BEEF 47.0F, HAM 47.1F, COOKED CHICKEN 47.4F, COLESLAW 47.4F, SOUP 47.2F. ALL FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 50LBS $200 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: WALK IN COOLER IN POOR REPAIR, IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 48.0F. INSTD TO REPAIR AND HAVE ABLE TO MAINTAIN PRODUCT TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
33
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE THROUGH OUT FACILITY, 60F-62F. INSTD TO MAINTAIN HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT ALL TIMES (100F AT HANDWASH SINKS, 110F AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK). CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C)
50
70
May 1, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INCOMPLETE KIT ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE DISINFECTANT EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK HOSE. MUST ATTACH A BACK FLOW PREVENTER ON FAUCET/HOSE CONNECTION ON UTILITY SINK.
51
86
Nov 9, 2018
Complaint
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: VARIETY OF FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED (COOKED ROAST BEEF, POTATO SALAD, ETC) FOOD PREPARED/OPENED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
23
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HELATH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: PLASTIC LINING ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE. INSTD TO REMOVE AND HAVE SURFACE SMOOTH, EVEN EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS
58
67
Sep 12, 2018
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(N) NO EMPLOYEE HELATH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012(A).
3
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3.501.17(A) VARIETY OF FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED (COOKED ROAST BEEF, POTATO SALAD, ETC) FOOD PREPARED/OPENED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
23
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19 PLASTIC LINING ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE. INSTD TO REMOVE AND HAVE SURFACE SMOOTH, EVEN EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS
58
67
Apr 14, 2017
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE REAR SLICER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. ALSO CLEAN INTERIOR OF 1ST. MICROWAVE.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 CHACKED LIGHT SHIELD IN FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
36
90
Apr 27, 2016
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 6, 2015
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 29, 2015
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION
43
95
Oct 1, 2015
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: PREP COOLER IN POOR REPAIR, UNABLE TO MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE, INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 49.9F. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTD NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND REINSPECTED BY HEALTH DEPT. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A CRITICAL. INSTD TO UTILIZE OTHER REFRIGERATION ON SITE.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN PREP COOLER: CONTAINER OF CHICKEN 51.8F, CONTAINER OF ROAST BEEF 48.7F, CONTAINER OF CORNED BEEF AT 48F, PACKAGE OF HOT DOGS AT 50.1F. ALL PRODUCT DISPOSED OF AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 15LBS $100 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A CRITICAL.
3
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE PANEL NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: STOPPERS MISSING FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE SAME.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING THERMOMETER INSIDE PREP COOLER. PROVIDE SAME.
40
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION.
43
74
Feb 5, 2015
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 10, 2014
License
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED. WATER SEEPS BETWEEN COMPARTMENTS (MIDDLE AND RIGHT SIDE). MUST SMOOTHLY REPAIR BROKEN SEAM OR REPLACE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
24
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: USING MILK CRATES AS STORAGE SHELVING IN WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: UPPER AND LOWER INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL INTERIOR SURFACES.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: PIPE UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKS. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN PLUMBING.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON WATER SUPPLY TO ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN SAME.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO MOP SINK ON PREMISES. MUST INSTALL MOP SINK, SUPPLIED WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER, FOR CLEANING PURPOSES AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INADEQAUTE FAUCETS ABOVE SOFT-SERVE MACHINE. HOT AND COLD WATER FAUCETS MUST REACH EACH COMPARTMENT OF TOP LOADING MACHINE.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER. MUST PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR CHECKING HOT AND COLD FOOD TEMPERATURES.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS AND ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. MUST KEEP ITEMS ELEVATED 6" OFF FLOOR.
41
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Submarine Pier last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Submarine Pier on file is from Dec 15, 2025. The public record contains 20 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Submarine Pier?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Submarine Pier.
Has The Submarine Pier's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Submarine Pier have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Submarine Pier 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 Submarine Pier inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Submarine Pier is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants