Three Dots and a Dash
Last inspected: Aug 22, 2025
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Three Dots and a Dash 16 times, with records going back to 2013. The most recent report on file is from Aug 22, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Three Dots and a Dash trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 22, 2025
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-501.14---INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVERS IN CUSTOMER DINING AREA AND IN THE DISHWASHING AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS.
56
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11---OBSERVED A GASKET IN POOR REPAIR/LOOSE INSIDE OF THE 3-DOOR PREP MILK COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE SAID DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN SPLASHED DEBRIS ON LIQUOR STORAGE SHELFS THROUGHOUT THE THREE (3) BARS AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15---OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT WATER SUPPLY LINE FROM THE WEST ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11---OBSERVED FLOORS WITH LITTER AND DEBRIS AND WALLS,CEILINGS IN BAR AREAS WITH SPLASHED SYRUP DEBRIS.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND WALLS AT BAR AREAS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12---OBSERVED DIRTY FLOOR DRAINS AT ALL BARS WITH EXCESSIVE LITTER DEBRIS ETC.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
74
May 28, 2025
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A GASKET IN POOR REPAIR/LOOSE INSIDE OF THE 3-DOOR PREP MILK COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE SAID DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT WATER SUPPLY LINE FROM THE WEST ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS WITH LITTER AND DEBRIS AND WALLS,CEILINGS IN BAR AREAS WITH SPLASHED SYRUP DEBRIS.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND WALLS AT BAR AREAS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRTY FLOOR DRAINS AT ALL BARS WITH EXCESSIVE LITTER DEBRIS ETC.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVERS IN CUSTOMER DINING AREA AND IN THE DISHWASHING AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS.
56
78
Oct 31, 2024
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 4-204.113: OBSERVED NO DATA PLATE ON HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READABLE DATA PLATE AFFIXED TO THE MACHINE BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT INDICATES THE MACHINE'S DESIGN AND OPERATION SPECIFICATIONS.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15: OBSERVED NON WORKING TOILET IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM(#2) IN BASMENT AND OBSERVED NON WORKING HANDWASHING SINK(#1) IN MEN'S WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TOILET(#2) IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND HANDWASHING SINK(#1) IN MEN'S WASHROOM IN BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN. NOTE THERE ARE OTHER PROPERLY FUNCTIONING TOILETS IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND THERE IS ONE OTHER PROPERLY FUNCTIONING HANDWASHING SINK IN MEN'S WASHROOM
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 4-301.16: OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN BAMBOO BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN BAMBOO BAR A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA
51
86
Oct 24, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ASTERISK ON MENU IDENTIFYING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD ASTERISK IDENTIFYING ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING THAT ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
25
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DATA PLATE ON HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READABLE DATA PLATE AFFIXED TO THE MACHINE BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT INDICATES THE MACHINE'S DESIGN AND OPERATION SPECIFICATIONS.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON WORKING TOILET IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM(#2) IN BASMENT AND OBSERVED NON WORKING HANDWASHING SINK(#1) IN MEN'S WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TOILET(#2) IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND HANDWASHING SINK(#1) IN MEN'S WASHROOM IN BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN. NOTE THERE ARE OTHER PROPERLY FUNCTIONING TOILETS IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND THERE IS ONE OTHER PROPERLY FUNCTIONING HANDWASHING SINK IN MEN'S WASHROOM.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN BAMBOO BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN BAMBOO BAR A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING PROVIDED FOR EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
58
67
Jun 14, 2023
Complaint
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 5-202.12 (A): WATER MEASURED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE LOCATED HANDSINKS IN MAIN KITCHEN VARIED BETWEEN 82-84F. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE WATER OF AT LEAST 100F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. MANAGER ON SITE ADJUSTED TEMPERATURE OF THE HANDSINKS TO 100F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: 3-501.16(A:2,&B): SPRING ROLL MIX TEMPERATURE MEASURED AT 70F LEFT OUT ON A PREPARATION COUNTER. APPROXIMATELY 8LBS AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $20 WAS DICARDED ON SITE. ALL COLD HOLDING TCS FOODS MUST BE KEPT AT 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
22
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-901.11: CLEAN DISHWARE STORED ON SHELVES HAVE NOT BEEN AIR DRIED PROPERLY AFTER SANITIZING. AFTER CLEANING AND SANITZING ALL EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS SHALL BE AIR DRIED BEFORE USE. CLOTH DRYING OF EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IS NOT APPROVED.
44
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12: COULD NOT LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IN BAR AREA. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17: ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE RESTROOM LACKS A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS. PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13: EXPIRED ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. ALL CITY/PENDING CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION.
58
61
Apr 27, 2023
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND ON PREP-SURFACES. CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.
41
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: CLEAN DISHWARE STORED ON SHELVES HAVE NOT BEEN AIR DRIED PROPERLY AFTER SANITIZING. AFTER CLEANING AND SANITZING ALL EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS SHALL BE AIR DRIED BEFORE USE. CLOTH DRYING OF EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IS NOT APPROVED.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN COOLER DOOR IN JUICE ROOM. FACILITY MUST REPAIR.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: COULD NOT LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IN BAR AREA. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE RESTROOM LACKS A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS. PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: EXPIRED ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON SITE. ALL CITY/PENDING CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION.
58
74
Jun 29, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING FOOT PEDAL ON EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN BAMBOO ROOM BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
51
95
Sep 2, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 17, 2019
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 20, 2018
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK AT SERVICE BAR ADJACENT TO BEVERAGE WALK IN COOLER. INFORMED MANAGER THAT HAND SINKS MUST BE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO AND ACCESSIBLE TO BAR AREAS FOR HAND WASHING.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL HAND SINK IN SAID AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11- OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS/ TO GO CONTAINERS, ETC. STORED ON SHELVING UNIT UNDERNEATH CAST IRON PIPE IN PUMP ROOM DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RELOCATE SHELVING UNIT OR ENCASE SAID PIPE IN PVC PIPE COVERS-FITTERS. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER ON FLOOR IN PUMP ROOM ADJACENT TO CUSTOMER RESTROOMS.AT TIME OF INSPECTION OBSERVED BOXES OF INVENTORY AND BAR FIXTURES, STORED ON FLOOR IN SAID AREA. INFORMED MANAGER TO REMOVE EXCESS CLUTTER AND ANY UNNECESSARY ITEMS, ELEVATE ITEMS 6 INCHES OR MORE OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PREVIOUS INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT POSTED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INFORMED MANAGER THAT INSPECTION SUMMARY MUST BE POSTED IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO POST SUMMARY IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMER. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
61
78
Apr 10, 2017
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVE JUICING TAKING PLACE. JUICE IS PLACED IN WINE LIKE BOTTLES AND USED FOR COCTAILS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT CLEANING OF BOTTLES I WAS TOLD THAT BOTTLES ARE RINSED BY A POWERFUL SPICKET ATTACHED TO WATER FAUCET THEN RUN THROUGH A HOT WATER DISH MACHINE IN A BOTTLE RACK. THIS IS INADEQUATE. OBSERVED BOTTLES ARE DIRTY WITH JUICE AND FRUIT RESIDUE ON INTERIOR OF "CLEAN BOTTLES".
32
95
Feb 23, 2016
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: PREP AREA BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL BULK CONTAINERS.
30
95
Apr 8, 2015
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Toilet rooms enclosed clean, provided with hand cleanser, sanitary hand drying devices and proper waste receptacles
Inspector notes: NO PAPAER TOWEL TO DRY THE HANDS IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT TOILET ROOM MUST BE PROVIDED WITH PAPER TOWEL OR HAND DRYING DEVICE . MANAGER ASKED ONE OF THE EMPLOYEE TO PUT PAPER TOWEL IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM DURING INSPECTION. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-030.
27
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND SYRUP BOTTLE AREA BEHIND THE SERVICE BAR.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN IN DETAIL ALL THE LIGHT SHIELD OF THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE HOOD/CANOPY IN THE IST FLOOR PREP KITCHEN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: X3 BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS ON THE HOOD /CANOPY IN THE FIRST FLOOR PREP KITCHEN, MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. BROKEN SOLID LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE PREP TABLE(BASEMENT)MUST REPLACE.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A FAUCET WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER ON THE FROZEN TAYLOR MACHINE IN THE SERVICE BAR TO BE ABLE TO PROPERLY WASH AND SANITIZE.
38
78
Mar 6, 2014
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT THE EMPLOYEE BATHROOM OF BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. TEMPERATURE OF WATER AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 74.8F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED PLUMBING SERVICE FOR REPAIRS. INSTRUCTED TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN. AT THE END OF INSPECTION HOT RUNNING WATER WAS RESTORED AT THE EMPLOYEE BATH ROOM. TEMPERATURE OF WATER NOW IS 91.3F CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030.
11
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NOTED NO SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK AT THE BAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEES PUT SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL AT SINK. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030
12
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN MIXER AT THE SMALL BAR WITH SPILLED JUICES,AND THE JUICE MACHINE.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FANS ON CEILING ABOVE THE DISH WASHER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION.
38
82
May 30, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
May 28, 2013
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: HIGH TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINE FINAL RINSE AT 101F, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 180F.
8
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: WINE BOTTLES REUSED FOR JUICES STORAGE, INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE, ONLY UTENSILS THAT CAN BE WASHED AND SANITIZED CAN BE USED FOR FOOD STORAGE
31
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Three Dots and a Dash last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Three Dots and a Dash on file is from Aug 22, 2025. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Three Dots and a Dash?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Three Dots and a Dash.
Has Three Dots and a Dash's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Three Dots and a Dash have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Three Dots and a Dash 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 Three Dots and a Dash inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Three Dots and a Dash is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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