IsTheKitchenClean?
HomeยทBlogยทAboutยทContact

Inspections by Neighborhood

  • Lincoln Park
  • Lakeview
  • West Loop
  • Gold Coast
  • Old Town
  • Wrigleyville
  • River North
  • Wicker Park
  • Logan Square
  • Bucktown
  • Fulton Market
  • Streeterville
  • The Loop
  • Andersonville
  • Pilsen
  • Hyde Park
  • Chinatown
  • North Side
  • Northwest Side
  • West Side
  • South Loop
  • South Side
  • Southwest Side
  • Far South Side

Inspections by Violation

  • Rodents
  • Roaches
  • Mold
  • Sewage
  • Temperature
  • Chemical
  • Expired Food
  • Sanitation

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 29, 2025 โ€” Complaint re-inspection

Conditional

A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

No certified food safety manager on site while preparing temperature-controlled food.

Key Findings

  • No person in charge with a valid Chicago Food Sanitation Certificate was present during food preparation and service; a certified manager must be on site at all times.
  • Food handlers were not wearing hair restraints while handling food.
  • Quarter-inch gaps at the bottom of front and rear doors create pest entry points.
  • Food debris accumulated on shelving, cooking equipment, prep tables, and other surfaces; dirt and dust buildup observed on walls, floors, and ceiling vents.

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

Was this report useful? Get an alert when this restaurant fails again, tell people what happened to you, or send the link to someone.

Be specific. Keep it to what you saw or experienced.

Loading discussion...

Violation code #1 โ€” PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

Violation code #2 โ€” CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector's Notes:

1.11 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITAITON MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED

Viewing inspection from Sep 29, 2025 ยท Show current spotlight โ†’

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 โ€” A shorter, targeted check prompted by a public complaint.

Aug 31, 2026Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

Standout inspection
Aug 24, 2026Fail

Complaint โ€” Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

11 violations
Jan 16, 2026Pass

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

2 violations
Standout inspection
Jan 7, 2026Fail

Complaint โ€” Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

10 violations
Sep 29, 2025ConditionalVIEWING NOW

Complaint Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

12 violations
Standout inspection
Sep 8, 2025Fail

Complaint โ€” Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

19 violations
Mar 5, 2025Pass

Canvass โ€” A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

4 violations
May 13, 2024Pass

License โ€” Required before the city issues a business license.

2 violations