Uncle Ben's Grill
Last inspected: Aug 5, 2025
95
Score
Going back to 2022, Uncle Ben's Grill has six inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Aug 5, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near six violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited eight times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Uncle Ben's Grill is comfortably above that bar. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 5, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
55
95
Jul 29, 2025
Reinspection
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: 5-501.15 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE ON LID, CONTAINER WIDE OPEN WITH A BUCKET TURNED UPSIDE DOWN ON TOP OF IT AND PANS OF GREASE ON GROUND NEXT TO IT. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD-UP CLOSE LID AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED)
54
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 : OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER ON MENU BOARD AND ALL ITEMS ASTERISKED ON TABLE MENU OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MUST CORRECT, PROVIDE, AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
25
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: 3-304.12 : MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
43
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
55
70
Jul 25, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLERS. OBSERVED FEMALE FOOD HANDLER RINGING THE REGISTER, TURNED AROUND, PUT ON PLASTIC GLOVES, PUT BREAD INTO THE TOASTER, AND REMOVED TOAST. THE SAME FEMALE WAS PULLING HER SLEEVES UP HER ARM WITH PLASTIC GLOVES ON AND HANDLING BREAD & TOAST AGAIN. ALSO A MALE FOOD HANDLER TOOK A MOP TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND THEN CAME BACK TO ASSIST A CUSTOMER AND GOT A CUP OF COFFEE WITHOUT WASHING HANDS. MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
8
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 3LBS. COOKED CHIRIZO-60.0F.2LBS. COOKED SAUSAGE-70.0F-75.0F.5LBS. ITALIAN BEEF-50.0F.6CS. 30 DOZ. RAW SHELLED EGGS-58.0F-60.0F.30LBS. COOKED POTATO-60.0F.INSIDE OF BOTH GLASS REACHES IN COOLERS. THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0�F OR BELOW.APPX. 310 LBS.$454.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF FRONT AND REAR GLASS 2-DOOR GLASS REACHING COOLERS AT 60.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNITS. ONCE REPAIRED.EMAIL: FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
33
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER ON MENU BOARD AND ALL ITEMS ASTERISKED ON TABLE MENU OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MUST CORRECT, PROVIDE, AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
25
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE ON LID, CONTAINER WIDE OPEN WITH A BUCKET TURNED UPSIDE DOWN ON TOP OF IT AND PANS OF GREASE ON GROUND NEXT TO IT. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD-UP CLOSE LID AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED)
54
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
43
Gloves used properly
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES BY EMPLOYEES.
46
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
55
43
Nov 6, 2024
Complaint
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE TOUCHING READY-TO-EAT FOOD (PANCAKES, BREAD, ETC.) WITH THEIR BARE HANDS AFTER TAKING IT OFF OF THE GRILL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT NO BARE HAND CONTACT IS ALLOWED WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
9
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE STORAGE SHELVES UNDER THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE FLOORING ABOVE THE TOP STEP TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA IN FRONT OF THE ICE MACHINE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.
55
61
Dec 6, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT EMPLOYEE BATHROOM HANDWASHING SINK AND THE PREP AREA. TEMPERATURE OF WATER WAS 74.5F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). HOT WATER WAS ABLE TO BE RESTORED TO 106.5F AFTER I WAS DONE WITH INSPECTION.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (SUGAR, OATMEAL) LOCATED IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, DUST, GREASE, FOOD SPLATTER AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS AND FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HOT FOOD SERVICE LINE UNDER AND AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS ON SHELVES AT THE DRY STORAGE AREA WITH FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO STORE THEIR BELONGINGS.
56
61
Mar 30, 2022
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (SUGAR) LOCATED IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE MICROWAVE TO HAVE FOOD SPLASH AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER NEAR THE GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. ALSO, OBSERVED TAPE BEING USED ON THE GASKETS ON THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN BEEF PATTIES STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE ONE DOOR FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
47
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Uncle Ben's Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Uncle Ben's Grill on file is from Aug 5, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Uncle Ben's Grill?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Uncle Ben's Grill.
Has Uncle Ben's Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Uncle Ben's Grill have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Uncle Ben's Grill 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 Uncle Ben's Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Uncle Ben's Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.
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