DataJul 27, 2026
How pass rates have changed over the last 5 years
Chicago's overall pass rate has shifted noticeably over the last half-decade. Here's the trend, and a few theories about what's behind it.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
Blog
Chicago restaurant inspections, food safety, and the stories behind the data.
IndustryJul 23, 2026
What restaurant owners wish you knew about inspections
Owners and operators often have a different perspective on inspections than diners or media. Here are the things they consistently say should be more widely understood.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
ChicagoJul 20, 2026
How Chicago food trucks get inspected differently
Food trucks have their own inspection rules — and their own quirks. Here's what's different and what that means for your tacos.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
DataJul 16, 2026
Which violation numbers show up most often in failed inspections
Failed inspections aren't random. The same handful of violation numbers carry the weight. Here's which ones, and what they say about the kitchen.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
IndustryJul 13, 2026
The lifecycle of a health violation — from citation to correction
A violation isn't a single event. It's a process — citation, deadline, correction, verification. Here's how that whole cycle works.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
Consumer TipsJul 9, 2026
Red flags on a menu that might signal kitchen issues
Most menu signals are about taste. A few of them are about kitchen reliability. Here's the small set that's actually worth paying attention to.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
ChicagoJul 6, 2026
The busiest inspection months in Chicago and why
Inspections aren't evenly distributed through the year. They cluster — and the clustering tells you something about how the system works.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
IndustryJul 2, 2026
How often restaurants go from Fail to Pass on re-inspection
Most failed restaurants pass on the next visit. But not all of them. Here's the data on how the recovery cycle actually plays out.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
ExplainersJun 29, 2026
What happens when a restaurant fails an inspection?
A Fail isn't just a result on a report. It triggers a defined process that can include closure, equipment tagging, and a re-inspection deadline.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff
Consumer TipsJun 25, 2026
How to check a restaurant's inspection history before you eat there
Two minutes on your phone can tell you whether a place is a clean record or has a string of failures. Here's the simplest workflow.
By IsTheKitchenClean Staff