RestaurantLicence 2966394

Jerk Yard

1310 E 53rd St, Chicago 60615

Latest verdictPassSep 18, 2026 · 26 days ago

Inspections9since May 13, 2024

Fail rate33.3%3 of 9 verdictscitywide 22.4% · above average

City risk ratingHigh riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

Pass56%
Conditional11%
Fail33%

9 inspections from 2024 to 2026 · hover a mark

20252026

PassSep 18, 2026Short Form ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
PassAug 31, 2026Complaint Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailAug 24, 2026ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 1
  Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
  Observed no person in charge with valid Chicago food sanitation certificate.
2. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed no certified food manager on duty while foods are being prepared, handled and served such as (chicken, rice, beans, fish, and shrimp) must be on site at all times. Priority foundation 7-38-012. Citation issued.
3. 35
  Approved thawing methods used
  Observed facility not meeting thawing requirements. Food handler thawing frozen chicken in two compartment prep sink with warm water of 80 degrees. Informed food handler of proper thawing methods. Must utilize cold running water. Must meet proper thawing requirements and maintain.
4. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed no current pest control log book on the premises. Instructed person in charge that a licensed pest control company and operator must provide at least 2 pest inspections a year and the reports must be maintained in the log book. Instructed to provide a current pest control log book and pest inspection reports. Priority foundation 7-38-020(c). Citation issued.
5. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed pest activity with approx. 20 small flies noted during inspection. Small fly activity was noted in the rear prep near hot water heater area. Instructed to consult pest control as additional services are needed to minimize or eliminate activity prior to re-inspection. Priority foundation violation #7-38-020(a). Citation issued.
6. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed wet wiping cloths on several prep surface areas. Instructed to properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution between uses to prevent contamination of equipment & food. Must maintain.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed grease buildup on cooking equipment, walls, surrounding floors and shelving units in the kitchen/prep areas.observed an excessiveamount of debris on the floor/walls/ceiling of the walk in freezer and cooler. Must remove excess ice, detail clean, degrease sanitze and maintain.
8. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed grease buildup, food debris, and dirt on floor under cooking equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, dish washing, storage and basement areas. Instructed manager to clean floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in all areas. Observed dust buildup on fan in walk-in cooler, light shields in cooking area and ceiling and wall vents in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain all fans, light shields and ceiling/wall vents.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed soiled mop heads not properly stored. Instructed manager to hang mop heads to prevent insect breeding.
10. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Observed no food handlers certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.
11. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Observed food service sanitation manager without food allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.
PassJan 16, 2026Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  4-101.19 observed milk crates being used as shelving throughout the prep and storage areas. Must remove and provide shelving that is 6" off the floor and provides floor accessibility to ensure adequate facility cleaning.
2. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  4-601.11(b) observed grease buildup on cooking equipment, walls, surrounding floors and shelving units in the kitchen/prep areas.observed an excessiveamount of debris on the floor/walls/ceiling of the walk in freezer and cooler. Must remove excess ice, detail clean, degrease sanitze and maintain.
FailJan 7, 2026ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 1
  Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
  Observed no person in charge with valid Chicago food sanitation certificate.
2. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed no certified food manager on duty while foods are being prepared, handled and served such as (chicken, rice, beans, fish, and shrimp) must be on site at all times. Priority foundation 7-38-012. Citation issued.
3. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  Observed blank copies of employee health policy on site. Instructed facility to maintain policy with verifiable signed copies on site for all food employees in acknowledgment of reporting agreement. Priority foundation violation #7-38-010.
4. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed tcs foods held at improper internal temperatures in the front prep cold holding unit, such as 30lbs of oxtails at 62.2f and 20lbs of chicken at 63.3f. Manager discarded and denatured a total 60lbs at $300. All cold tcs food must maintain 41f or below . Priority violation. Citation issued 7-38-005.
5. 33
  Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
  Observed facility equipment for cold holding in disrepair. Noted walk in cooler to be at improper temperature at 64f. Informed person in charge to repair or replace for proper cold holding of 41 degrees f or below. Tagged unit. Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.
6. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed over 75 mice droppings scattered on shelves under front counter, on floor along walls and corners, behind cooking equipment, sinks, water heater in prep and storage areas. Advised manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued
7. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed milk crates being used as shelving throughout the prep and storage areas. Must remove and provide shelving that is 6" off the floor and provides floor accessibility to ensure adequate facility cleaning.
8. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed grease buildup on cooking equipment, walls, surrounding floors and shelving units in the kitchen/prep areas.observed an excessiveamount of debris on the floor/walls/ceiling of the walk in freezer and cooler. Must remove excess ice, detail clean, degrease sanitze and maintain.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed grease buildup, food debris, and dirt on floor under cooking equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, dish washing, storage and basement areas. Instructed manager to clean floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in all areas. Observed dust buildup on fan in walk-in cooler, light shields in cooking area and ceiling and wall vents in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain all fans, light shields and ceiling/wall vents.
10. 60
  Previous core violation corrected
  Previous core violations not corrected in specified time frame previous core violation from report #2623432 on 9/8/2025 were not corrected: #40 2-402.11: observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints. #57 2-102.13: observed missing food handler training. All employees handling food and equipment must provide food handler training. #58 2-102.13: observed no allergen training for certified manager. All certified managers must provide allergen training. Priority foundation 7-42-090. Citation issued.
ConditionalSep 29, 2025Complaint Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 1
  Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
  Observed no person in charge with valid Chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed manager to designate person in charge during all hours of operation. Priority foundation
2. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  1.11 inspector comments: observed no Chicago food sanitation manager on site or valid certificate posted when tcs food prepared and served. A Chicago food sanitaiton manager must be on site and valid certificate posted at all times tcs food prepared and served. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued
3. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed 1/4" gap at bottom of front and rear doors. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on doors to prevent pest entry.
4. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed no splash guard on left side of rear hand washing sink near prep sink. Insructed manager to provide and maintain.
5. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  Observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.
6. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed food debris on interior and exterior surfaces of shelving units, holding units, prep tables, cooking equipment, rolling carts, coolers, freezer instructed manager to clean and maintain.
8. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed dirt and debris on walls and floors along walls and corners in all areas. Observed dust buildup on ceiling vents. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed unused articles and equipment in front counter, prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to remove all unnecessary articles to prevent pesy harborage
10. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed grease buildup inside ventilation hood. Instructed manager to clean and maintain
11. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Observed missing food handler training. All employees handling food and equipment must provide food handler training.
12. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Observed no allergen training for certified manager. All certified managers must provide allergen training.
FailSep 8, 2025ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 1
  Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
  Observed no person in charge with valid Chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed manager to designate person in charge during all hours of operation. Priority foundation
2. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed no Chicago food sanitation manager on site or valid certificate posted when tcs food prepared and served. A Chicago food sanitaiton manager must be on site and valid certificate posted at all times tcs food prepared and served. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued
3. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Observed rear hand washing sink not accessible and in poor repair, water draining on floor when in use. Instructed manager to repair and maintain. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c) citation issued
4. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed chicken stored at improper temperature inside walk-in cooler 51.6f. Instructed manager to discard. All cold food must maintain 41f or below. Priority 7-38-005 citation issued
5. 33
  Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
  Observed walk-in cooler not maintaining proper temperature 47.8f. Instructed manager to repair and maintain cooler at 41f or below. Cooler is tagged held for inspection and must not be used until reinspected by Chicago department of health. Priority 7-38-005 citation issued
6. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed over 100 mice droppings scattered on shelves under front counter, on floor along walls and corners, behind cooking equipment, sinks, water heater in prep and storage areas.observed numerous flying insects in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued
7. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed dead mouse on glue board under cooking equipment in prep area. Instructed manager to remove.
8. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed 1/4" gap at bottom of front and rear doors. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on doors to prevent pest entry.
9. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed no splash guard on left side of rear hand washing sink near prep sink. Insructed manager to provide and maintain.
10. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  Observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.
11. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.
12. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  Observed no chemical test kit available. Instructed manager to provide test kit for proper concentration in sanitizing solutions. Priority foundation 7-38-005 citation issued
13. +7 more
PassMar 5, 2025CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Must clean the interior of the walk in coolers(shelving,floors and wall) to remove spills and debris.
2. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Must clean and maintain the exterior of the cooking equipment.
3. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Observed a leaky pipe underneath the front hand sink and a leak at the faucet at the 3 comp sink. Must repair and maintain.
4. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must detail clean the floors and walls through out and pop storage area in the rear.
PassMay 13, 2024LicenseRisk 1 (High)
1. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Instructed to have all food handlers obtain the required food handler training certficates.
2. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Instructed that all city of Chicago food service managers must obtain the required food allergen training.

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

558×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
387×
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
497×
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
14×
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
24×
City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
574×
All food employees have food handler training
584×
Allergen training as required
413×
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 2966394 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.