Recess
838 W KINZIE ST, Chicago, IL 60642 · Cook County
Establishment
- Type
- Restaurant (retail food serving meals) (Restaurant)
- Inspected by
- Chicago Department of Public Health
- License / ID
- 2646809
- Status
- Risk 1 (High)
- Official record
- Chicago Department of Public Health inspection reports
Year by year
| Year | Inspections | Violations | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 12 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Inspections
-
Sep 9, 2026 Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
-
Severity not stated
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
6-202.15 OBSERVED ALL EXIT DOORS OF FACILITY AND OUTDOOR BAR LOCATED INSIDE CONTAINER WITH AT LEAST 1/4TH INCH GAP BETWEEN FLOOR AND DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE RODENT PROOF DOOR AND PROTECT OUTER OPENINGS.
-
Severity not stated
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
3-307.11 OBSERVED OUTSIDE BAR AND HALL BAR HANDSINKS IN NEED OF SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASHGUARD. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ORDER TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF PREPARED DRINKS AND OR GLASSWARE.
-
Severity not stated
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-205.15 OBSERVED 3RD HANDSINK INOPERABLE IN WOMENS RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
-
Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.11 OBSERVED GREY FLOORS IN CONTAINER BAR NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE WITH WATER AND ORGANIC DEBRIS POOLING IN SAID SPACES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
-
Severity not stated
-
Sep 2, 2026 Complaint · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
-
Serious
Priority
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
OBSERVED 4 LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINES LOCATED IN PREP AND ALL BARS NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED SANITIZER STRENGTH BETWEEN 0-5PPM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SANITIZING STRENGTH ON SAID EQUIPMENT BETWEEN 50-100PPM AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
-
Serious
Priority
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
OBSERVED 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED LOCATED IN PREP AREA ACROSS FROM GRILL AND FRYERS @55F DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR UNIT TO 41F AND BELOW AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005.UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION.
-
Severity not stated
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED 30 SMALL LIVE FLIES, AND 4 LARGE LIVE FLIES FLYING THROUGHOUT PREP ON WALL NEAR WALK IN COOLER, ALL BARS PREP AREAS IN SINK BASINS, ON LIQUOR WELLS AND EQUIPMENT, IN STORAGE SPACE IN HALL WHERE HANDSINK IS LOCATED AND ON SURFACES OF SPEED RACKS. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE FLY ACTIVITY ON PREMISE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRI0RITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.
-
Severity not stated
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED ALL EXIT DOORS OF FACILITY AND OUTDOOR BAR LOCATED INSIDE CONTAINER WITH AT LEAST 1/4TH INCH GAP BETWEEN FLOOR AND DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE RODENT PROOF DOOR AND PROTECT OUTER OPENINGS.
-
Severity not stated
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED OUTSIDE BAR AND HALL BAR HANDSINKS IN NEED OF SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASHGUARD. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ORDER TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF PREPARED DRINKS AND OR GLASSWARE.
-
Severity not stated
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED ALL EXTERIOR SURFACES (COOLING UNITS, CABINETS, SHELVING) IN MAIN BAR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DRIED FOOD DEBRIS IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
-
Severity not stated
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED 3RD HANDSINK INOPERABLE IN WOMENS RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
-
Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED GREY FLOORS IN CONTAINER BAR NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE WITH WATER AND ORGANIC DEBRIS POOLING IN SAID SPACES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
-
Serious
Priority
-
Dec 9, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
Result: Pass.
-
Oct 17, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
-
Severity not stated
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE BEHIND THE MAIN BAR AND SANITIZE THE ICE BINS AT THE OUTDOOR PATIO BAR.
-
Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE MAIN BAR AND OUTSIDE PATIO BAR.
-
Severity not stated
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED NO VENTILATION FAN IN THE SINGLE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
-
Severity not stated
-
Apr 18, 2023 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
Result: Pass.
-
Apr 10, 2023 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
-
Serious
Priority
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS IN 2 DRAWER PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER STORED AT THE STATED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES: PORK AT 47.5F, HAMBURGERS AT 46.0F, CHICKEN AT 46.1F, AND CHICKEN WINGS AT 48.9F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 60 LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $400. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN TCS ITEMS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
-
Serious
Priority
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
OBSERVED 2 DRAWER PREP COOLER CONTAINING TCS ITEMS SUCH AS PORK AND HAMBURGERS MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 49.1F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COOLERS CONTAINING TCS ITESM AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
-
Severity not stated
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE ADA COMPLIANT ALL GENDER TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
-
Not serious
Priority Foundation
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
OBSERVED ALL DUMPSTERS IN THE ALLEY OVERFLOWING WITH GARBAGE AND UNABLE TO HAVE LIDS SHUT. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTERS SO THAT LIDS CAN SHUT AND CLOSE TIGHTLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.
-
Serious
Priority
-
May 30, 2019 License · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
-
Not serious
Priority Foundation
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
-
Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST CLEAN CONSTRUCTION DUST FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
-
Severity not stated
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST INSTALL COVING TO LOWER WALLS THROUGHOUT 2ND FLOOR STORAGE AREAS, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
-
Severity not stated
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
-
Not serious
Priority Foundation
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health. History last read Oct 2, 2026. Violation text is the inspector's wording. “Serious” is the source's own top tier. About this data.