Uncle Ben's Grill

Year by year

Inspections

1. Aug 5, 2025 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

2. Jul 29, 2025 Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

     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)

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

   • Severity not stated

     IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

     3-304.12 : MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

     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)

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-501.114 : OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

3. Jul 25, 2025 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated Corrected on site

     HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

     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)

   • Severity not stated Corrected on site

     PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

     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)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

     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)

   • Severity not stated Corrected on site

     PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

     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)

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

   • Severity not stated

     IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

     MUST REMOVE ICE SCOOP FROM TOP OF REACH IN FREEZER AND STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.

   • Severity not stated

     GLOVES USED PROPERLY

     OBSERVED IMPROPER USAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES BY EMPLOYEES.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

     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)

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED OUTSIDE GROUNDS AROUND FENCE WITH EXCESSIVE OVERGROWN SHRUBBS AND CLUTTER IN REAR YARD MUST CUT DOWN AND MAINTAIN AREA.

4. Nov 6, 2024 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     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.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

     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.

   • Serious Priority

     NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     CLEAN THE STORAGE SHELVES UNDER THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     REPAIR THE FLOORING ABOVE THE TOP STEP TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA IN FRONT OF THE ICE MACHINE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.

5. Dec 6, 2023 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Serious Priority

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     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.

6. Mar 30, 2022 License · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     OBSERVED THE MICROWAVE TO HAVE FOOD SPLASH AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     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.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

     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.