The Tin Lizzie
Last inspected: Mar 30, 2026
58
Score
The health department has logged 14 inspections at The Tin Lizzie, the earliest from 2013. The Tin Lizzie was last inspected on Mar 30, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around two violations to closer to five violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “insects, rodents, & animals not present”, which has been cited 10 times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 30, 2026
Complaint
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO QUATERNARY CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE QUATERNARY SANITIZING SOLUTION ON SITE BEING USED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
48
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES OR SUCH A PERSON ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN THE REAR WOMAN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE.
56
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NOTED AN OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD OF THE ENTRANCE/ EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR FOR THE BASEMENT BOC FREEZER. MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE MATERIAL.---RAW WOODEN SHELVING ON THE BASEMENT PREP TABLE BOTTOM MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED TO BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF BOTH BASEMENT BOX FREEZER'S WITH EXCESSIVE ICE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE/CLEAN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE THE BASEMENT ICE MACHINE.----HOLE IN WALL AT THE BACK OF THE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER. MUST SEAL.
55
58
Apr 20, 2021
Complaint
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST HAVE ALL EMPLOYEES SIGN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASHBOWL SINK IN WOMENS WASHROOM CRACKED AND BROKEN. SURFACE IS IN DISREPAIR. MUST REPLACE WASHBOWL SINK.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW WOOD CUTTING BOARD IN BASEMENT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. RAW WOOD MUST BE SEALED AND MADE OF FOOD GRADE MATERIAL. REMOVE AND REPLACE.
47
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROVIDED. PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HANDLE FOOD.
57
64
Apr 4, 2018
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL WATER PRESSURE NEEDED AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FOOD PREP AREA IN BASEMENT. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ITEMS NOT ELEVATED 6INCHES OFF FLOOR IN BASEMENT AREA. MUST ELEVATE AND MAINTAIN.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE BIN IN THE FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
43
86
Dec 27, 2017
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Aug 23, 2017
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL DROP CEILING IN BASEMENT ABOVE PREP AREA. CEILING MUST BE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, AND NON ABSORBENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
35
95
Aug 14, 2017
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARD ON PREP COOLER IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF REACH IN COOLER BEHIND THE FIRST AND SECOND BARS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOORS BEHIND FIRST AND SECOND BARS, AND IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
34
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 LIVE SMALL FLIES BEHIND BOTH BARS ON WALLS, INSIDE GARBAGE CANS, AND INSIDE THE 3-COMP SINKS. ALSO LIVE FLIES WERE FOUND FLYING THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. CONTACT PEST CONTROL PROVIDER FOR SERVICE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL DROP CEILING IN BASEMENT ABOVE PREP AREA. CEILING MUST BE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, AND NON ABSORBENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPE FROM EXPOSED HAND SINK IN WOMENS TOILET ROOM ADJACENT TO FIRST BAR. MUST REPAIR NON WORKING URINAL IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
38
74
Aug 11, 2017
Complaint
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BLACK SLIME LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE INTERIOR PANEL AND ON THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. LIKELY TO CONTAMINATE THE ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USING MACHINE, UNTIL MACHINE HAS BEEN CLEANED AND SANITIZED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
16
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 LIVE SMALL FLIES BEHIND BOTH BARS ON WALLS, INSIDE GARBAGE CANS, AND INSIDE THE 3-COMP SINKS. ALSO LIVE FLIES WERE FOUND FLYING THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. CONTACT PEST CONTROL PROVIDER FOR SERVICE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARD ON PREP COOLER IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF REACH IN COOLER BEHIND THE FIRST AND SECOND BARS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOORS BEHIND FIRST AND SECOND BARS, AND IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL DROP CEILING IN BASEMENT ABOVE PREP AREA. CEILING MUST BE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, AND NON ABSORBENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPE FROM EXPOSED HAND SINK IN WOMENS TOILET ROOM ADJACENT TO FIRST BAR. MUST REPAIR NON WORKING URINAL IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
38
70
Apr 14, 2017
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN GASKET ON PREP COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IN THE BASEMENT. REPLACE CUTTING BOARD IN SAID AREA, DARK GROOVES PRESENT ON BOARD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR PANELS OF THE PIZZA OVEN AND THE CONVECTING OVEN, LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN EXTERIOR OF ALL FOOD CONTAINERS IN SAID AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS NOT CLEAN IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS, FOOD DEBRIS AND DIRT PRESENT; BEHIND BOTH BARS, AND FOOD PREP AREA IN BASEMENT. ALSO, PAINT FLOOR IN BASEMENT WHERE FOOD PREP IS CONDUCTED. INSTRUCT TO REPAIR ALL AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING VENTS AND FAN COVERS WITH EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS; MENS AND WOMENS TOILET ROOMS. IN MAIN SEATING AREA, THE VENT IS DETACHED FROM CEILING AND HAS EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE FAUCET AT THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. LEAK AT EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND THE MAIN BAR. ALSO, SLOW DRAIN AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INCREASE WATER PRESSURE AT 3-COMP SINKS BEHIND BOTH BARS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ALL AND MAINTAIN.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER AROUND THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER (NOT EXCESSIVE). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BOXES OFF GROUND AND MAINTAIN.
41
74
Jan 24, 2017
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN GASKET ON PREP COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IN THE BASEMENT. REPLACE CUTTING BOARD IN SAID AREA, DARK GROOVES PRESENT ON BOARD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE INTERIOR PANELS OF THE PIZZA OVEN AND THE CONVECTING OVEN, LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN EXTERIOR OF ALL FOOD CONTAINERS IN SAID AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS NOT CLEAN IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS, FOOD DEBRIS AND DIRT PRESENT; BEHIND BOTH BARS, AND FOOD PREP AREA IN BASEMENT. ALSO, PAINT FLOOR IN BASEMENT WHERE FOOD PREP IS CONDUCTED. INSTRUCT TO REPAIR ALL AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING VENTS AND FAN COVERS WITH EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS; MENS AND WOMENS TOILET ROOMS. IN MAIN SEATING AREA, THE VENT IS DETACHED FROM CEILING AND HAS EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE FAUCET AT THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. LEAK AT EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND THE MAIN BAR. ALSO, SLOW DRAIN AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INCREASE WATER PRESSURE AT 3-COMP SINKS BEHIND BOTH BARS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ALL AND MAINTAIN.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER AROUND THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER (NOT EXCESSIVE). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BOXES OFF GROUND AND MAINTAIN.
41
74
Sep 6, 2016
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED THE WALL IN POOR REPAIR TO THE LEFT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE REAR BAR. THE INTERIOR OF THE WALL IS EXPOSED THROUGH MESH COVERING. INSTRUCTED TO FINISH THE WALL TO BE SMOOTH, NON-ABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
35
95
Aug 30, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON SITE. NOTED APPROX. 50 DROPPINGS IN THE REAR BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM ALONG THE WALL BORDER. ALSO NOTED APPROX. 25 SMALL FLIES AT THE FRONT BAR. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY AND REMOVE AND SANITIZE AREAS AFFECTED BY DROPPINGS. RECOMMENDED TO OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF A LICENSED PEST CONTORL OPERATOR. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-020
18
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED THE WALL IN POOR REPAIR TO THE LEFT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE REAR BAR. THE INTERIOR OF THE WALL IS EXPOSED THROUGH MESH COVERING. INSTRUCTED TO FINISH THE WALL TO BE SMOOTH, NON-ABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED A LEAK AT THE WASTE PIPING ON THE RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE LEAK.
38
86
Nov 10, 2014
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AND PROVIDE HAND SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL, BEHIND BOTH BARS. SLOW DRAINING OF THE WASHBOWL SINK IN MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR TO HAVE A WELL DRAINING SINK. MISSING ONE MORE WORKING DRAIN STOPPER FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
38
95
Oct 30, 2014
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1199271, DATED 12/19/13. #38 MUST REPAIR ALL INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN ALL THREE WASHROOMS. MUST REPAIR LEAKS ON HOT AND COLD HANDLE OF PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-42-090.
29
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RUSTED WIRE RACK SHELVINGS OF THE WALK IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: DUST ON THE WALLS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE DUST ,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE WALLS.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ON THE LIGHT BULB INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AND PROVIDE HAND SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL, BEHIND BOTH BARS. SLOW DRAINING OF THE WASHBOWL SINK IN MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR TO HAVE A WELL DRAINING SINK. MISSING ONE MORE WORKING DRAIN STOPPER FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETER IN ALL COOLERS.
40
74
Dec 19, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIDS FOR ALL BAR ICE BINS.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR ALL INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN ALL THREE WASHROOMS. MUST REPAIR LEAKS ON HOT AND COLD HANDLES OF PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK.
38
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Tin Lizzie last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Tin Lizzie on file is from Mar 30, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Tin Lizzie?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at The Tin Lizzie.
Has The Tin Lizzie's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at The Tin Lizzie have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Tin Lizzie means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is The Tin Lizzie inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Tin Lizzie is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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