Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
95
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant stretching back to 2017. The most recent report on file is from Nov 17, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up four times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES MISSING FOR 2 CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
95
May 3, 2024
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12/NOTED DRIED SPICES AT BAR IN CONTAINERS WITH OUT COMMON NAME LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS WITH COMMON NAME ON BULK ITEMS NOT STORED IN ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
37
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-903.11/NOTED PLATES, PLATTERS, BOWLS, POTS AND SKILLETS STORED THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AND PREP AREAS RIGHT SIDE UP. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114/ NOTED STAIRWAY TO SECOND FLOOR FROM KITCHEN WITH BOXES AND SUPPLIES ON THE FLOOR. ALSO NOTED ITEMS ON THE FLOOR IN BOILER CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE ALL STORED ITEMS A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT PEST HARBOAGE.
55
86
Apr 30, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: NOTED AMBIENT AIR AT BAR 2 DOOR DRAWER WITH ATTACHED WINE COOLER REFRIGERATION UNIT AT 50.7 F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
33
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: NOTED DRIED SPICES AT BAR IN CONTAINERS WITH OUT COMMON NAME LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS WITH COMMON NAME ON BULK ITEMS NOT STORED IN ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
37
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: NOTED PLATES, PLATTERS, BOWLS, POTS AND SKILLETS STORED THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AND PREP AREAS RIGHT SIDE UP. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED STAIRWAY TO SECOND FLOOR FROM KITCHEN WITH BOXES AND SUPPLIES ON THE FLOOR. ALSO NOTED ITEMS ON THE FLOOR IN BOILER CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE ALL STORED ITEMS A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT PEST HARBOAGE.
55
78
Sep 1, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WINDOW DOORS AT THE SOUTH END OF PREMISES/PATIO WITH GAPS OF 1/4" TO 1/2" AT BOTTOM AND BETWEEN DOORS. REPAIR ISSUES TO MINIMIZE PEST /INSECT ENTRY
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED BETWEEN THE FRYER AND THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN. THE SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, AND A NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: PEELING PAINT ON THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN, REPAINT.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL
55
86
Nov 12, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: THE OBSERVED REMINDER STATEMENT MUST BE LINKED TO THE ITEMS COOKED TO ORDER OR SERVED SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. A REMINDER STATEMENT FOR RAW EGG WHILE USED IN PASSION COCKTAILS MUST BE DISCLOSED ON THE COCKTAIL MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKING CONDITION UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND COOKING LINE. REPAIR AND MAINTAIN LEAKING CONDITIONS.
51
86
Dec 26, 2019
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Dec 23, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HOT WATER AT THE HAND SINK IN THE MEN'S BATHROOM NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT (77 DEGREE F). INSTRUCTED THAT THE MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE HAND SINK IS 100 DEGREE F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 NOT CORRECTED, REPORT DATED 07/13/2019, INSPECTION REPORT #2184588. OBSERVED NO APPROVAL ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING AND TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
78
Jul 13, 2018
Complaint
6 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS NOT PROPERLY LABELED INSIDE PREP COOLERS AND WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROPERLY LABEL ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME PREPARED BY DATE AND OR USED BY DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED INSIDE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER IN REAR PF KITCHEN. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO APPROVAL ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING AND TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION PA100-0367. NO CITATION ISSUED.
58
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS CHICKEN, BEEF PORK ETC. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT CERTIFIFED FOOD MANAGER HAS TO BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A HEALTH A HEALTH EMPLOYEE POLICY/PROCEDURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNRATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
52
Oct 12, 2017
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: MUST NOT HANG CLEAN UTENSILS ABOVE THE DIRTY DISH/WASH BASIN OF THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS BETWEEN THE BAR EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE ICE BIN. ALSO BETWEEN THE KITCHEN ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK AND EXPOSED HAND SINK. EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP IN THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER IN THE STORAGE ROOM BEHIND THE STAGE. MUST REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE SHATTER PROOF BULBS IN THE HANGING LIGHTS ABOVE THE COOKS LINE PREP TABLE.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION IN THE 2ND FLOOR EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND BRIDAL SUITE WASHROOM.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: OUTDOOR BBQ GRILL LOCATED ON THE REAR WALKWAY MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
41
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant.
Has Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant 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 Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Theater on the Lake/The Lakefront Restaurant is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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