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Merkle's Bar & Grill

May 21, 2025 · Pass

😇clean

official resultPass
resultPass
inspection typeCanvass Re-Inspection
failed findings6
critical findings0

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Failed findings

Single-Use/Single-Service Articles: Properly Stored & Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED LIQUOR AND ITEMS STORED INSIDE WALK-IN AND BASEMENT STORED ON FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
code 45
surfaces / setup not up to code

Official wording: Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
Inspector note: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES FOR PRODUCT ELEVATION. MUST USE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ITEMS AND MAINTAIN. • OBSERVED RUSTY AND DIRTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST CLEAN REPAINT WITH NON-TOXIC FOOD GRADE PAINT OR REPLACE
code 47
plumbing acting up

Official wording: Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
Inspector note: OBSERVED EXCESS ICE BUILD UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN THE BASEMNT. MUST REMOVE ICE CLEAN FREEZER AT ALL TIMES.
code 49
floors, walls, or ceilings grimy

Official wording: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Inspector note: : OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED FLOOR WITH FOOD DEBRIS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA ALONG THE WALL BASE UNDERNEATH 3-COMAPRTMENT SINK IN FRONT BAR AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SEVERAL OPENINGS ABOVE ICE MACHINE SYRUP MACHINE AND REAR OF BASEMENT. ALSO NOTED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES BEHIND ICE MACHINE. MUST REPAIR REPLACE CEILING TIMES AND SEAL ALL OPENINGS. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND DISHWASHING AREA AND UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER, CARDBOARD BOXES AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR OF PREMISES AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREAS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. • OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
code 55
Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE INTENSITY LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
code 56
All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training

Inspector note: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
code 57

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Fail on May 16, 2025: 6 findings recurred. 4 previous findings did not recur.

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About this record

This record comes from Chicago Department of Public Health. Cooked keeps the official result and wording separate from its plain-English explanation so you can verify what the inspector actually published.

Source: Chicago Data Portal.