Tilly Bagel Shop

34 E Balbo Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

American

Last inspected: Mar 12, 2026

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged four inspections at Tilly Bagel Shop, the earliest from 2023. On Mar 12, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around five violations each, up from closer to two violations before.

The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited two times.

Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 12, 2026

Routine

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF GREASE AND DEBRIS IN DRAINS UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER DUMP SINK BY FRONT COUNTER ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTER AND BROWN SUBSTANCE ON WALL BEHIND OVEN AND THROUGHOUT FOOD PREP AREAS AND DISHWASHING. OBSERVED DUST AND FOOD DEBRIS ALONG WALLBASE THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS AND DISHWASHING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING TILES WITH STAINS AND DUST ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND ABOVE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF DUST ON VENT FAN IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL WHERE NEEDED AND MAINTAIN.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE ALL DAMAGED AND STAINED CUTTING BOARDS

May 1, 2024

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: Food container (salt) in main kitchen not labeled, instructed to label and maintain.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: A waste water 6 inch pipe running above prep table at south east corner. Instructed to enclose or install a barrier.

Personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: Food handler in kitchen not wearing hair restrain, instructed to wear.

Jul 20, 2023

Reinspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Jul 19, 2023

License

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: 5-202.12(A) OBSERVED THE TOILET ROOM HAND WASHING SINK HOT WATER TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 88F-90.5F DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN 100F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tilly Bagel Shop last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tilly Bagel Shop on file is from Mar 12, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tilly Bagel Shop?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tilly Bagel Shop.

Has Tilly Bagel Shop's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Tilly Bagel Shop 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 Tilly Bagel Shop 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 Tilly Bagel Shop inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tilly Bagel Shop is inspected around two times per year on average.

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