Lardon & The Union Taproom & The Meadowlark

Bar

2200-2202 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Logan Square

Sep 29, 2026 — Complaint inspection

Fail

Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

Rodent droppings found in food storage area; mold-covered ice machine contaminating drinking ice.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

Approximately 28 rodent droppings scattered on floor and supply boxes in storage area connected to pastry prep and liquor storage.
Ice machine's internal panel covered in black and pink mold, dripping directly onto ice served to customers.
No certified food manager on site while preparing and serving ready-to-eat foods including deli meat, chicken, and dairy.
Approximately 50 pounds of fermenting sauerkraut stored without required HACCP plan approval; food was discarded.

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.

Loading discussion...

Violation code #38 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 28 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR AND ON TOP OF CARDBOARD BOXES CONTAINING RESTAURANT SUPPLIES IN STORAGE AREA CONNECTED TO PASTRY PREP AND LIQUOR STORAGE.INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE, REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE SAID SPACE. MUST ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.

Violation code #16 — FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED INTERNAL WHITE PANEL OF ICE MACHINE WITH BLACK AND PINK MOLD LIKE BUILD UP ON FOOD CONTACT SURFACE AND DRIPPING ON TO ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED CLEAN AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.