Uncommon Ground

• resultFail
• critical violations3
• last inspectedSeptember 28, 2022
• address1401-1405 W Devon Ave, Chicago 60660

Is Uncommon Ground clean?

Uncommon Ground is currently Fail from Chicago Department of Public Health, from an inspection on September 28, 2022. Inspectors wrote up 3 critical violations — the kind most directly linked to foodborne illness. On Cooked's ladder that reads cooked 🪳.

What did inspectors find at Uncommon Ground?

These are the violations recorded at the most recent inspection on September 28, 2022, in plain English, with the city's own wording underneath.

• 📋no certified food manager on dutycritical
  Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties • THE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
• 📋certified manager paperwork missingcritical
  City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE IS POSTED ON THE PREMISES. NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WAS ON-SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS WERE PREPARED, SUCH AS CHEESE SAUCE COOLING IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH A PREPARATION DATE OF 9-28-22. A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED, AND THE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
• 🚰handwashing sink blocked or barecritical
  Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible • NOTED A COOK USING THE HAND SINK AT THE 1ST FLOOR KITCHEN COFFEE PREP AREA TO DRAIN A CONTAINER OF COOKED RICE, MAKING THE SINK INACCESSIBLE FOR THE USE OF HANDWASHING. REVIEWED THE HAND WASHING SINKS ARE FOR HAND WASHING PURPOSES ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED. • NO SOAP IS LOCATED AT THE BASEMENT DISH HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION 5-205.11 FOR THE CITATION. • NO PAPER TOWELS LOCATED AT THE BASEMENT DISH HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) SEE VIOLATION #5-205.11 FOR CITATION. • BUSINESS INSTRUCTED ON 4-11-22 REPORT #2554146 TO INSTALL A HANDWASHING SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER PROPERLY DRAINS, SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. THE SINK IS NOT INSTALLED. MUST INSTALL AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
• 🍽️food left unprotected
  Food Separated And Protected • OBSERVED RAW EGGS BEING STORED ON SHELVING DIRECTLY ABOVE PREPARED READY TO EAT SOUP AND ABOVE FRESH ROMAINE LETTUCE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD PROTECTION DURING STORAGE FOR RAW ANIMAL ORIGIN FOODS AND READY TO EAT VEGETABLES AND PREPARED FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
• 🧊food not cooled down right
  Proper Date Marking And Disposition • OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOODS SUCH AS COOKED MEATLOAF, PREPARED SOUP IN THE 1ST FLOOR KITCHEN WALK-IN COOLER NOT DATE LABELED WITH EXPIRATION DATES. NO LABELS ON THE FOOD. OTHER ASSORTED PREPARED FOODS SUCH AS CREAM BASED ARTICHOKE DIP AND SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE WITH PREPARATION DATES ONLY. COOK ON SITE STATES THE MEAT LOAF WAS PREPARED ON 9-25-22. REVIEWED ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
• ⚠️Approved Thawing Methods Used • NOTED IMPROPERLY THAWING FROZEN CHICKEN IN A CONTAINER OF STANDING WATER. REVIEWED PROPER THAWING UNDER REFRIGERATION OR COLD RUNNING WATER.
  Approved Thawing Methods Used • NOTED IMPROPERLY THAWING FROZEN CHICKEN IN A CONTAINER OF STANDING WATER. REVIEWED PROPER THAWING UNDER REFRIGERATION OR COLD RUNNING WATER.
• 🏷️food improperly labeled
  Food Properly Labeled; Original Container • ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
• 🛠️surfaces / setup not up to code
  Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used • BROKEN GLASS ON THE DOOR OF THE 1ST. FLOOR WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.
• 🚿plumbing acting up
  Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean • EXCESSIVE RUST ON METAL SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT PREP. MUST REMOVE RUST AND MAKE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. • POOLING WATER INSIDE THE ONE DOOR COOLER IN THE SALAD PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE AND REMAIN DRY.
• 🧹floors, walls, or ceilings grimy
  Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean • NOTED FLOOR BEHIND THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER WITH POOLING LIQUID. MUST REMOVE AND MAINTAIN DRY FLOORS.--OBSERVED CARDBOARD AND DUCT TAPE BEING USED AS A COVER IN THE CEILING OF THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. MUST SEAL/COVER WITH A SMOOTH CLEANABLE MATERIAL.----WALL AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE BASEMENT DISH ROOM AND REAR BASEMENT POT/PAN STORAGE IN POOR REPAIR WITH PEELING PAINT/PLASTER. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE WITHOUT TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR.---- OTHER SMALL HOLES NOTED IN THE SAME HALLWAY WALL MUST SEAL.----FLOOR BEHIND BOX FREEZER AT THE SALAD PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
• ⚠️Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used • OBSERVED SOUP BEING PREPARED/COOKED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA USING A HOT PLATE. INSTRUCTED ALL COOKING MUST BE UNDER ADEQUATE APPROVED VENTILATION. MUST REMOVE HOT PLATE FROM THE BASEMENT PREP OR INSTALL ADEQUATE VENTILATION.
  Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used • OBSERVED SOUP BEING PREPARED/COOKED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA USING A HOT PLATE. INSTRUCTED ALL COOKING MUST BE UNDER ADEQUATE APPROVED VENTILATION. MUST REMOVE HOT PLATE FROM THE BASEMENT PREP OR INSTALL ADEQUATE VENTILATION.
• ⚠️All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR COOK ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
  All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR COOK ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
• ⚠️Previous Core Violation Corrected • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 4-11-22 REPORT #2554146 WERE NOT CORRECTED. #36-MUST PROVIDE AN INTERNAL THERMOMETER INSIDE THE COOK'S LINE TWO-DOOR COOLER.#45-: ALL ITEMS STORED IN THE BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS AND ORGANIZED.----47- BROKEN LID ON THE ONE-DOOR COOLER IN THE 1ST FLR. KITCHEN. MUST REPAIR.#49-TABLETOP CAN OPENERS IN BOTH FOOD PREP AREAS WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS AND RUST-----INTERIOR OF THE UNUSED DRAWER COOLERS ON THE COOK LINE WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.---.#51- LEAK ON THE NOZZLE OF THE COOKS LINE HAND WASHING SINK AND REPAIRED WITH TAPE. IT MUST BE PROPERLY REPAIRED. #55- DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE.---FLOOR UNDER THE 1ST FLR. THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH LARGE DIVOTS AND POOLING LIQUID. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----FLOORS UNDER THE COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.---- BASEBOARD COVING UNDER THE COOKS LINE HAND WASHING SINK NOTED PEELING FROM THE WALL WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE THE OPEN CREVICE. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED COVING AND REMOVE ALL FOOD DEBRIS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  Previous Core Violation Corrected • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 4-11-22 REPORT #2554146 WERE NOT CORRECTED. #36-MUST PROVIDE AN INTERNAL THERMOMETER INSIDE THE COOK'S LINE TWO-DOOR COOLER.#45-: ALL ITEMS STORED IN THE BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS AND ORGANIZED.----47- BROKEN LID ON THE ONE-DOOR COOLER IN THE 1ST FLR. KITCHEN. MUST REPAIR.#49-TABLETOP CAN OPENERS IN BOTH FOOD PREP AREAS WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS AND RUST-----INTERIOR OF THE UNUSED DRAWER COOLERS ON THE COOK LINE WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.---.#51- LEAK ON THE NOZZLE OF THE COOKS LINE HAND WASHING SINK AND REPAIRED WITH TAPE. IT MUST BE PROPERLY REPAIRED. #55- DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE.---FLOOR UNDER THE 1ST FLR. THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH LARGE DIVOTS AND POOLING LIQUID. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----FLOORS UNDER THE COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.---- BASEBOARD COVING UNDER THE COOKS LINE HAND WASHING SINK NOTED PEELING FROM THE WALL WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE THE OPEN CREVICE. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED COVING AND REMOVE ALL FOOD DEBRIS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

When was Uncommon Ground last inspected?

Uncommon Ground has 29 inspections on record going back to January 21, 2010. The 12 most recent are shown below.

Uncommon Ground vs Edgewater

Edgewater runs 64% clean across 997 tracked restaurants — 633 clean, 186 mid, 172 cooked.

Against the 997 spots Cooked tracks in Edgewater, this one comes out cleaner than 15% of them.

Other spots in Edgewater

• ? Kilmanjaro Restaurant
  cooked · August 22, 2013
• ? La Cocina De Frida
  cooked · March 13, 2012
• ✓ Anna Held Fountain Cafe
  clean · May 19, 2011
• ✓ Piatto Pronto
  clean · July 9, 2025
• ✓ Habibi Restaurant & Cuisine
  clean · March 6, 2013
• ✓ Reza's Restaurant (Cold Storage)
  clean · December 28, 2017

See every restaurant inspection in Edgewater →

How Chicago grades restaurants

Chicago does not use letter grades. Every inspection ends in one of three official results: Pass, Pass with Conditions, or Fail. Pass with Conditions means violations were found but corrected on the spot or under a deadline — the restaurant is open, with homework. A Fail means serious violations went uncorrected, and it usually brings a re-inspection within days. Chicago also flags “priority” violations, the ones most likely to actually make someone sick. Cooked reads Pass as clean, Pass with Conditions as mid, and Fail as cooked, and shows the itemized violations behind each result.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health via Chicago Data Portal. Cooked refreshes this data daily — this listing's most recent inspection is dated September 28, 2022. Inspection results describe one moment in a kitchen's life, not a permanent verdict.