Laugh Factory Chicago

Year by year

Inspections

1. Aug 21, 2026 Short Form Complaint · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)

   Result: Pass.

2. Jul 20, 2026 Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)

   Result: Pass.

3. Jul 9, 2026 Complaint · Fail — Risk 2 (Medium)
   • Serious Priority

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE WAREWASHING MACHINE (NOT IN USE) LOCATED IN THE BAR AREA NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. THE SANITIZING RESIDUAL CONCENTRATION WAS OBSERVED AT 0PPM AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNIT UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (CDPH). TAGGED UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

     NOTED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE TO MONITOR THE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURE OF TCS FOOD COOKED, DELIVERED AND SERVED. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PROPER THERMOMETERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED

4. Oct 26, 2023 Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     4-301.16 OBSERVED NO DUMP SINK AT THE 1ST-FLOOR BAR (ONLY A HAND SINK IS PROVIDED). MUST INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SINK AT THIS BAR TO ACCOMMODATE DRINK DUMPING AND - OR RINSING.MUST PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT SAID SINK

5. Oct 23, 2023 Complaint Re-Inspection · Fail — Risk 2 (Medium)
   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED NO DUMP SINK AT THE 1ST-FLOOR BAR (ONLY A HAND SINK IS PROVIDED). MUST INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SINK AT THIS BAR TO ACCOMMODATE DRINK DUMPING AND - OR RINSING.MUST PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT SAID SINK

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED

     PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM8-31-2023,REPORT#2581066) #16) 4-601.11(A) WE OBSERVED ICE/FOOD NOT PROTECTED. INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE UPPER WATER RESERVOIR, ICE BIN, AND ALL ICE CONTACT SIDES AND INTERIOR OF THE MACHINE WITH EXCESSIVE BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE DRIPPING DOWN INTO THE ICE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE THROUGHOUT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

6. Aug 31, 2023 Complaint · Fail — Risk 2 (Medium)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

     THE PERSON IN CHARGE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     NO ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON SITE FOR THE PRESENT MANAGER ON DUTY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHEN FOOD IS HANDLED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

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

     NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN AND KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     WE OBSERVED ICE/FOOD NOT PROTECTED. INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE UPPER WATER RESERVOIR, ICE BIN, AND ALL ICE CONTACT SIDES AND INTERIOR OF THE MACHINE WITH EXCESSIVE BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE DRIPPING DOWN INTO THE ICE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE THROUGHOUT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED NO DUMP SINK AT 1ST FLOOR BAR (ONLY A HAND SINK IS PROVIDED). MUST INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SINK AT THIS BAR TO ACCOMMODATE DRINK DUMPING AND-OR RINSING.MUST PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT SAID SINK

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED ONE WASHROOM BY THE BAR AREA USED FOR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FIXTURES: TOILET AND HANDWASHING SINK, ALSO MUST CAP ALL PIPING, OR RELOCATE ITEMS

   • Severity not stated

     SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

     DRAIN HOSES ATTACHED TO POP GUNS DISPENSERS AT BAR AREA DRAINING ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO RE-ROUTE IT TO A FLOOR DRAIN

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     COVERED IS REQUIRED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE THE WOMEN'S AND GENDER WASHROOMS.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     THE BRICK WALL INSIDE THE LAST STALL OF THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR IS NOT CLEAN. HOLES AND CRIVESES.REPAIR ISSUE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     EXCESS BLACK SLIME AND WATER ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE BAR COUNTER ON THE FIRST FLOOR.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

7. Dec 19, 2017 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 2 (Medium)
   • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

     CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

     OBSERVED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATES POSTED. INSTRUCTED THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE HANDLED, AND ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES MUST BE POSTED IN PUBLIC VIEW AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-38-012

   • Not serious Minor

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

     MUST REPLACE MISSING DRAIN LINE FROM RIGHT SODA GUN DRIP TRAY.

   • Not serious Minor

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

     MUST CLEAN MINERAL DEPOSITS AND DARKISH STAINS FROM UPPER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINE.

   • Not serious Minor

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

     MUST REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN WOMEN'S 1ST FLOOR RESTROOM AND 2ND FLOOR HALLWAY.

   • Not serious Minor

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

     OBSERVED NO DUMP SINK AT 1ST FLOOR BAR (ONLY A HAND SINK IS PROVIDED). MUST INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SINK AT THIS BAR TO ACCOMMODATE DRINK DUMPING AND/OR RINSING. OBSERVED A COFFEE MAKER IN SIDE SERVER'S ROOM BUT NO HAND SINK. MUST PROVIDE A HANDSINK, WITH HOT AND COLD WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE TO SERVE THIS FOOD HANDLING AREA. ALTERNATIVELY, OPERATOR MAY RELOCATE COFFEE PREP TO AN AREA SERVED BY A HANDSINK.

8. Sep 24, 2014 Complaint · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
   • Not serious Minor

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

     DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE BOTTOM SHELF OF THE REFRIGERATOR AND THE GASKETS TO REMOME FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP.

9. Oct 24, 2013 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
   • Not serious Minor

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

     FOUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN.

   • Not serious Minor

     REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

     FOUND BROKEN THERMOMETER INSIDE REACH IN COOLER.

   • Not serious Minor

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

     FOUND CLUTTER AT MAIN KITCHEN. MUST BE DECLUTTERED.

10. Feb 21, 2012 License Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Not serious Minor

      REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

      All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.

11. Feb 16, 2012 License · Fail — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Serious Critical

      FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

      All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. MUST TURN ON PREP COOLER AND FREEZER AND MAINTAIN COOLER BELOW 40F AND FREEZER BELOW 0F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

    • Serious Critical

      SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

      LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE IS NOT INSTALLED AT THIS TIME. MUST MAINTAIN CHEMICAL SANITIZER LEVEL AT 100PPM CHLORINE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

    • Serious Critical

      HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

      Adequate and convenient hand washing facilities shall be provided for all employees. MUST PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AND SOAP AT THE HANDSINK IN THE KITCHEN AND AT THE BAR HANDSINK AND ALL RESTROOMS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

      All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED ONSITE. MUST PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY OR A SIGNED CONTRACT FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED

      The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance. OBSERVED LID FOR GARBAGE DUMPSTER UNABLE TO BE CLOSED DUE TO A LARGE CABINET PLACED IN THE DUMPSTER. MUST KEEP GARBAGE LID CLOSED AND HAVE ADEQUATE PICKUP SO THAT GARBAGE IS NOT OVERFLOWING ABOVE THE TOP OF THE DUMPSTER. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

    • Not serious Serious (Chicago's middle tier)

      CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

      A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

    • Not serious Minor

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

      All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST PROVIDE ICE BIN COVERS FOR THE BAR ICE BINS.

    • Not serious Minor

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

      Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. OBSERVED WATER LEAKING FROM THE MIDDLE AND RIGHT COMPARTMENTS OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR.

    • Not serious Minor

      REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

      All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.