Restaurant inspections / Restaurant
Merkle'S Bar & Grill
3516 N Clark St, Chicago 60657 · Risk 1 (High)
Pass
Most recent result
May 21, 2025
21
Inspections on record
9
Times passed
7
Times failed
Violations cited on May 21, 2025
- #45SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED LIQUOR AND ITEMS STORED INSIDE WALK-IN AND BASEMENT STORED ON FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
- #47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES FOR PRODUCT ELEVATION. MUST USE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
- #47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RUSTY AND DIRTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST CLEAN REPAINT WITH NON-TOXIC FOOD GRADE PAINT OR REPLACE
- #49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESS ICE BUILD UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN THE BASEMNT. MUST REMOVE ICE CLEAN FREEZER AT ALL TIMES.
- #55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: : OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED FLOOR WITH FOOD DEBRIS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA ALONG THE WALL BASE UNDERNEATH 3-COMAPRTMENT SINK IN FRONT BAR AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SEVERAL OPENINGS ABOVE ICE MACHINE SYRUP MACHINE AND REAR OF BASEMENT. ALSO NOTED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES BEHIND ICE MACHINE. MUST REPAIR REPLACE CEILING TIMES AND SEAL ALL OPENINGS. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND DISHWASHING AREA AND UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
- #55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER, CARDBOARD BOXES AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR OF PREMISES AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREAS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
- #55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
- #56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE INTENSITY LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
- #57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
Inspection history
| Date | Type | Result | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2025 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| May 16, 2025 | Canvass | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jul 9, 2024 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| May 18, 2023 | Complaint | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Sep 20, 2021 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Sep 10, 2021 | Canvass | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| May 13, 2019 | Canvass | Pass w/ Conditions | Risk 1 (High) |
| Mar 26, 2019 | Canvass | No Entry | Risk 1 (High) |
| Aug 29, 2017 | Canvass | Pass w/ Conditions | Risk 1 (High) |
| Dec 14, 2016 | Complaint | No Entry | Risk 1 (High) |
| Dec 12, 2016 | Complaint | No Entry | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jul 28, 2016 | Complaint Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jul 20, 2016 | Short Form Complaint | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jun 10, 2016 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Jun 3, 2016 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| May 27, 2016 | Canvass | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| Oct 2, 2015 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Sep 25, 2015 | Canvass | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
| Aug 7, 2014 | Canvass | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Aug 27, 2013 | Canvass Re-Inspection | Pass | Risk 1 (High) |
| Aug 19, 2013 | Canvass | Fail | Risk 1 (High) |
Source
- Food Inspectionsupdated weeklyofficial portal ↗
Inspection records are published by the Chicago Department of Public Health. A failed inspection does not necessarily mean an establishment closed — most are re-inspected after correcting violations.
Other inspected places in 60657
Merkle'S Bar & Grill — questions
- Did Merkle'S Bar & Grill pass its last health inspection?
- Merkle'S Bar & Grill at 3516 N Clark St was inspected on May 21, 2025 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 21 inspections on record it has failed 7 times.
- What violations were cited at Merkle'S Bar & Grill?
- The most recent inspection cited 9 violations, beginning with: SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED LIQUOR AND ITEMS STORED INSIDE WALK-IN AND BASEMENT STORED ON FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
- What does "Risk 1 (High)" mean?
- Chicago assigns every food establishment a risk category based on how much food handling it does. Risk 1 (High) covers full-service restaurants and is inspected most often; Risk 2 (Medium) and Risk 3 (Low) — such as places serving only pre-packaged food — are inspected less frequently.
- Where does this inspection data come from?
- The City of Chicago publishes every food-establishment inspection it performs, including the result and the full text of any violations cited. This page reads that dataset directly and updates as the city posts new inspections.
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