Tortoise Club

Year by year

Inspections

1. Aug 25, 2026 Suspected Food Poisoning · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON INTERIOR OF WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     OBSERVED 1 OF 2 CERTIFIED MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

2. May 13, 2026 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

3. Mar 19, 2025 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     OBSERVED OPENING IN MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOUBLE DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

     OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. CORRECTED ON SITE IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES DELIVERED TO FACILITY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

     OBSERVED UNREADABLE DATA PLATE ON LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READABLE DATA PLATE AFFIXED TO THE MACHINE BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT INDICATES THE MACHINE'S DESIGN AND OPERATION SPECIFICATIONS.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET AT HANDWASHING SINK IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AT HANDWASHING SINK IN BAR.

   • Severity not stated

     GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

     OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON GROUND OUTSIDE OF DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTER AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED SPLASHES AND SPILLAGE FLOORS AND ALONG BASES OF WALLS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AND SINKS IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN BASES OF WALLS AND FLOORS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AND SINKS IN BAR AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AT BASE OF WALLS, CORNERS AND FLOOR IN SMALL DRY STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT(NEXT TO LIQUOR ROOM). INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN BASE OF WALLS, CORNERS AND FLOOR IN SMALL DRY STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT(NEXT TO LIQUOR ROOM) AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED GROUT MISSING IN BETWEEN TILES IN DISHWASHING AREA. OBSERVED GROUT MISSING BETWEEN TILES IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REGROUT IN BETWEEN TILES WHERE GROUT IS MISSING IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WITH NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.

4. Mar 13, 2024 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

     OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED RAW OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED RAW OR COOKED TO ORDER. CORRECTED ON SITE DISCLOSURE WAS ADDED TO MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED RAW OR COOKED TO ORDER BEFORE COMPLETION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED SPLASHES AND SPILLAGE ON WALLS AND FLOORS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AND SINKS IN BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AND SINKS IN BAR AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AT BASE OF WALLS, CORNERS AND FLOOR IN SMALL DRY STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN BASE OF WALLS, CORNERS AND FLOOR IN SMALL DRY STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN.

5. Feb 28, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     OBSERVED TWO ICE MACHINES LOCATED IN KITCHEN AREA SLIGHTLY SOILED. INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE DRIP PLATES. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     UTENSILS NOT PROVIDED IN BAR AREA FOR DRINK TOPPINGS SUCH AS ZEST FROM CITRUS FOODS AND VARIOUS DRINK TOPPINGS. FOOD EMPLOYEES SHALL USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS/TONGS, DISPENSING EQUIPMENT OR SINGLE USE GLOVES WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS.

   • Severity not stated

     WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

     IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND ON PREP-COUNTER ACROSS THE COOKLINE. CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     EMPLOYEE CLOTHING ITEMS WERE FOUND STORED IMPROPERLY UNDER PREP-LINE SERVICE COUNTER ACROSS THE EXPEDITE AREA. FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL A) PROVIDE DESIGNATED DRESSING ROOMS OR DRESSING AREAS FOR EMPLOYEES THAT ROUTINELY CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES IN THE ESTABLISHMENTS; B) PROVIDE LOCKERS OR OTHER SUITABLE FACILITIES FOR THE ORDERLY STORAGE OF EMPLOYEES' CLOTHING AND OTHER POSSESSIONS.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS EXPIRED ON SITE. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES (WHO DO NOT HAVE A CITY MANAGER CERTIFCATION) MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATIONS NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. ALL PENDING/CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION.

6. Feb 23, 2022 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED LOOSE HOT WATER HANDLE AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK ON COOK LINE AND HOT WATER HANDLE UNABLE TO BE TURNED AT MIDDLE WASHBOWL IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DEBRIS ON VENT OVER HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

7. Jan 23, 2020 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

8. Feb 15, 2019 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     BULK FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED PROPERLY( SUGAR, SALT ) INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

     SMALL DELI CONTAINERS NOT AIR DRIED AFTER WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO AIR DRY BEFORE STACKING.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     CHIPPED DRY WALL NEXT TO MIXER AT BASEMENT PREP KITCHEN, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DURABLE SMOOTH SURFACE.

9. May 10, 2018 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

10. Feb 7, 2017 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

    Result: Pass.

11. Feb 2, 2017 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

      OBSERVED GAUGE COCK ON HOT WATER DISH MACHINE READING 160F. HIGH TEMP TEST STRIPS WERE USED TO INDICATE HOT WATER DISH MACHINE IS SANITIZING AT 180F. NEW GUAGE COCK MUST BE INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED TO MONITOR DISH MACHINE. SERIOUS VIOALTION 7-38-030

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      OBSERVED SMALL LOW TEMP DISH MAHCINE AT BAR WITH HEAVY LIME BUILD UP UNDERNEATH. DELIME AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Minor

      PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

      OBSERVED 6 PACK OF SODA ON FLOOR OF BAR AND BUCKET OF LIMES AND LEMONS ON FLOOR OF BAR. ALL FOOD ITEMS NEED TO BE STORED AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.

12. Jun 16, 2016 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

      PREP AREA 2-DOOR REACH IN COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKET RIPPED (ALONG COOKLINE). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR RUBBER GASKET.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      1ST FLOOR EXPOSED HANDWASH BOWL PIPE DRAINING SLOWLY. MUST MAINTAIN SINK.

    • Not serious Minor

      APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

      OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

13. Jul 2, 2015 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

    Result: Pass.

14. Jun 30, 2015 Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Serious Critical

      ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

      EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE LOWER LEVEL PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED,CONSTRUCTED. WASTE WATER BACKING UP ON THE FLOOR DRAIN, GIVEN 48 HOURS TO CORRECT CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

15. Jun 23, 2015 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Serious Critical

      SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE

      RAW OYSTER INSIDE THE PREP COOLER IN THE COOK LINE WITHOUT TAG ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL SHELLFISH MUST HAVE A TAG ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER DURING STORAGE AND THE TAG HAS TO BE SAVED FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS AFTER ALL THE SHELLFISH HAS BEEN CONSUMED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(B). MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID PRODUCT WORTH $26.00 TOTAL 2.5 LBS.

    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

      PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT # 1496980 DATED 9/22/14. #38- HAND SINK AT LOWER LEVEL PREP AREA IS A PORTABLE HAND SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ONE THAT'S CONNECTED TO PLUMBING. SINK IS PROVIDED WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THIS TIME FOR ADEQUATE HANDS WASHING. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

      LABEL ALL BULK DRY FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE STORAGE /PREP AREA. ALSO ALL READY TO FOOD INSIDE THE CONTAINERS IN THE WALK IN COOLER MUST HAVE A LABEL AND DATE.

    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      ALL BOXED FOODS INSIDE THE WALK IN FREEZER MUST BE ELEVATED 6" OFF THE FLOOR. ALSO CLEAN THE FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK IN FREEZER AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      HOOD/FILTER ABOVE THE DISH MACHINE WITH GREASE AND DUST BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. WALLS BY THE DISH MACHINE WITH BLACK MOLDY LIKE SUBSTANCE. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Minor

      LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

      ALL LIGHT SHIELD OF THE LIHT BULBS ON THE HOOD/CANOPY IN THE COOK LINE WITH GREASE ACCUMULATED. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST REPLACE CRACKED AND DIRTY SOLID LIGHT SHIELD ON THE COOK LINE AND MAINTAIN.

16. Sep 22, 2014 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      ICE BINS STORED IMPROPERLY UNDER A DUSTY CEILING VENT, INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A SANITARY PLACE.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      CHIPPED WALL AROUND LOWER LEVEL PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DURABLE SMOOTH SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      HAND SINK AT LOWER LEVEL PREP AREA IS A PORTABLE HAND SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ONE THAT'S CONNECTED TO PLUMBING. SINK IS PROVIDED WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THIS TIME FOR ADEQUATE HANDS WASHING.

    • Not serious Minor

      PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

      OPEN CONTAINERS FOR EMPLOYEES DRINKS AT PREP TEABLE, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP A WAY, OR WITH A LID.

17. Nov 18, 2013 Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      ADDITIONAL HAND WASH SINK MUST BE INSTALLED IN THE LOWER LEVEL PREP AREA ( 4 PREP TABLES, DOUGH MIXER, ICE CREAM MAKER )NO HAND SINK AVILABE AT THIS TIME.

18. Oct 17, 2013 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

      DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      EXPOSED HANDWASH SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA IS SLOW DRAINING. MUST REPAIR.

19. Oct 18, 2012 License · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

    Result: Pass.