Did Middle East Grill pass its last health inspection?

Middle East Grill at 1512 W Foster Ave was inspected on May 13, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 22 inspections on record it has failed 3 times.

What violations were cited at Middle East Grill?

The most recent inspection cited 6 violations, beginning with: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.

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.

Restaurant inspections / Restaurant

Middle East Grill

1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago 60640 · Risk 1 (High) · Recorded out of business at a past inspection

Pass

Most recent result

May 13, 2026

Inspections on record

Times passed

Times failed

Violations cited on May 13, 2026

#6PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
#39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.
#47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE PREP SERVICE COOLER AT THE FOOD PREP AREA OF THE FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
#49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF THE SERVICE PREP COOLERS AND WHERE EVER NECESSARY.
#51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
#55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED CRACKS ON WALL AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA BY THE BAKERY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Inspection history

Date	Type	Result	Risk
May 13, 2026	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
May 9, 2025	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Feb 28, 2024	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jan 9, 2023	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 26, 2022	Complaint	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Feb 2, 2022	Complaint Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jan 26, 2022	Complaint	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
May 19, 2021	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Sep 9, 2020	Short Form Complaint	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 2, 2020	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 25, 2020	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Sep 19, 2019	Canvass	Out of Business	Risk 1 (High)
Aug 15, 2019	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Nov 6, 2018	Short Form Complaint	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 18, 2018	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 11, 2018	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 5, 2017	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Mar 4, 2016	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 24, 2015	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 16, 2014	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Sep 6, 2013	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Mar 26, 2012	Canvass	Pass	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.

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Middle East Grill — questions

Did Middle East Grill pass its last health inspection?: Middle East Grill at 1512 W Foster Ave was inspected on May 13, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 22 inspections on record it has failed 3 times.
What violations were cited at Middle East Grill?: The most recent inspection cited 6 violations, beginning with: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
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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