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Inspections by Violation

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IsTheKitchenClean displays publicly available food inspection data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Trending rankings and summaries are automated interpretations of that data and are not official health department assessments. Inspection findings reflect conditions at a specific point in time and may not represent current conditions at a restaurant.

Jerk Yard

Restaurant

1310 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

Hyde Park

Sep 8, 2025 — Complaint inspection

Fail

Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

Over 100 mouse droppings found throughout kitchen; walk-in cooler failed temperature control.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

  • Extensive mouse infestation with droppings scattered across shelves, floors, walls, and behind equipment; one dead mouse found on glue board.
  • Walk-in cooler not maintaining safe temperature (47.8°F instead of 41°F or below); cooler tagged out of service and chicken stored at unsafe 51.6°F was discarded.
  • No certified food sanitation manager on site or valid certificate posted despite preparing temperature-controlled foods.
  • Rear handwashing sink not accessible and leaking water onto floor; gaps at bottom of doors allow pest entry.

Key findings are derived directly from the inspector's notes from the Chicago Department of Public Health. See the full violation notes below.

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Violation code #38 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED OVER 100 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER, ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS, BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, SINKS, WATER HEATER IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.OBSERVED NUMEROUS FLYING INSECTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

Violation code #38 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED DEAD MOUSE ON GLUE BOARD UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE.

Inspection History

Jerk Yard has had 9 inspections in the last 5 years with a 67% pass rate. Last inspection was on Sep 18, 2026.

Sep 18, 2026Pass

Short Form Complaint — A shorter, targeted check prompted by a public complaint.

Aug 31, 2026Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

Standout inspection
Aug 24, 2026Fail

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

11 violations
Jan 16, 2026Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

2 violations
Standout inspection
Jan 7, 2026Fail

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

10 violations
Sep 29, 2025Conditional

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

12 violations
Standout inspection
Sep 8, 2025FailVIEWING NOW

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

19 violations
Mar 5, 2025Pass

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

4 violations
May 13, 2024Pass

License — Required before the city issues a business license.

2 violations