RestaurantLicence 2308808

The Hat

1604 W North Ave, Chicago 60622

Latest verdictPassOct 8, 2026 · 6 days ago

Inspections21since Feb 7, 2014

Fail rate28.6%6 of 21 verdictscitywide 22.4% · above average

City risk ratingHigh riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

Pass57%
Conditional14%
Fail29%

21 inspections from 2014 to 2026 · hover a mark

2014201620182020202220242026

PassOct 8, 2026ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed personal phone on cutting board at prep line. Must store personal items away from food and clean equipment.
ConditionalMay 18, 2026CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 23
  Proper date marking and disposition
  Observed improper date marking on cooked/ ready to eat food prepared temperature control for safety foods (prepackaged salads, rib tips, and chicken) not properly dated stored longer than 24 hours in multiple coolers found on site. No dates were observed on the food mentioned food items. Instructed to provide proper date marking with disposition date for rte foods prepared on site and held over 24 hours. Priority foundation 7-38-005, citation issued
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed broken down cardboard boxes found in use and storage in the rear prep/dishwashing area. Cardboard boxes on floor in walk-in cooler, stored on the side of storage shelf near walk-in cooler, and under three compartment sink. Instructed to remove and maintain.
PassMar 28, 2025Complaint Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailMar 19, 2025ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed beef held at an inadequate temperature of 47 f. Instructed manager to ensure all cold tcs foods are held at 41 f and below. The manager discarded 10 pounds of beef ($55), and a priority violation 7-38-005 citation was issued.
2. 54
  Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
  Observed outside dumpster receptacle unable to close fully. The dumpster was filled past capacity. Instructed manager to ensure lids are closed and tight fitting at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(b).
PassJul 17, 2024Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailJun 13, 2024CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed milk held at an inadequate temperature of 48 f. Instructed manager to ensure all cold tcs foods are held at 41 f and below. The manager discarded 1/2 gallon of milk ($3), and a priority violation 7-38-005 citation was issued.
2. 33
  Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
  Observed cooler with an inadequate ambient air temperature of 48 f. Instructed manager to ensure all cold holding units have an ambient air temperature of 41 f and below. Cooler tagged priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued.
3. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed 15 small flies throughout the facility, including in the dining room, near the storage and dish area of the facility. Instructed manager to minimize small fly activity. Pest control service recommended. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a) citation issued.
4. 54
  Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
  Observed outside grease receptacle with light grease build-up. Instructed manager to clean.
5. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed food debris on the floor around various equipment, such as griddles and coolers. Instructed manager to clean floors.
6. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Observed certified food manager with no food allergen certificate on site. Instructed manager to comply with requirements.
PassJun 5, 2023ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 54
  Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
  Observed build up of grease on exterior of used cooking oil container located in rear garbage area. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
PassMay 19, 2022ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Observed expired food handler certificates. Instructed to maintain records at all times.
PassJan 5, 2021CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  All food handlers must wear effectiveness hair restraints.
2. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed wiping cloths stored on top prep tables in front prep area. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
4. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed heavy dust build up on ceiling ventilation vents inside customers washrooms. Must clean and maintain.
5. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Must provide proof of allergen training for all Chicago food sanitation managers.
PassMay 7, 2020Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailApr 30, 2020CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Observed no hand wash signage at exposed hand wash sink opposite 3 compartment sink in rear dish washing area. Instructed to install and maintain.
2. 25
  Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
  Observed hamburgers on menu cooked to order and served raw or under cooked with no reminder, disclosure, and footnote. Instructed to install reminder, disclosure, and footnote for all menu items served raw or under cooked. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.
3. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed cutting boards throughout main prep line with deep grooves and dark stains. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain smooth, cleanable cutting surfaces.
ConditionalOct 29, 2019CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  The person in charge unable to provide employee health policy. Instructed to provide employee health policy and maintain. Priority foundation violation7-38-010 no citation issued.
2. 23
  Proper date marking and disposition
  Observed improper date marking on tcs foods held more than 24 hours. Instructed to properly date marking tcs foods and must maintain. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. No citation issued.
3. 25
  Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
  Observed no consumer advisory disclosure or reminder statement on the menu for raw or under cooked foods. Instructed to describe and disclose which food items can be ordered raw or under cooked and kink those items to a reminder statement on the menu. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.
4. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Back flow prevention device not located at the ice machine. Instructed to install a back flow prevention device so that can be service and maintain.
5. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  No covered waste receptacle provided in the women's washroom. Instructed to provide and maintain.
6. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed dust build up on ventilation vents in the customer's washrooms. Must clean vents to provide proper ventilation at all times.
7. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Observed certified food managers on site without the required allergen training. Instructed that all certified food managers must complete food allergen.
PassMar 28, 2018CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Must clean the shevles above the 3 compartment sink and storage shelving for the pop syrup to remove spills.
2. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Floors need cleaning inside the cadinet where the self serve pop's are displayed to remove spills.
3. 43
  Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
  Instructed manager to store wiping clothes in sanitizing solution when not in use.
PassJul 18, 2017Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailJul 14, 2017CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
  Observed potentially hazardous food at improper temperature: found a container of beef in au juis sauce at 115.7f, a container of sausage at 118.9f, and meat sauce at 120.5f stored inside of the hot holding unit. Only 1 section out of 4 had potentially hazardous food at improper temperatures. Instructed manager to not double up on the pans that fit inside of the hot holding unit. Manager voluntarily discarded 10# of food worth $75. Critcal violation 7-38-005a
2. 11
  Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
  The exposed hand sink in the front prep area is not maintained: the hot and cold water was shut off upon attempting to wash hands. The manager turned on the water from under the sink and the reason the sink was turned off is due to a severe leak under the exposed hand sink. 48 hour notice given for facility to contact a plumber to repair the leak to prvent water from pooling all over the floor in the main prep. Staff was instructed to use the exposed hand sink across from the 3-compartmetn sink until the front prep hand sink is repaired. 48 hour notice given. Critical violation 7-38-030
PassNov 2, 2016Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailOct 24, 2016CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 18
  No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
  Outside storage not protected. Found said storage with pop cans,and disposable utensils(foam cups etc) and other non-food related. Door and panels are not completely enclosed a gap od 1 to 2 inches on bottom and top od door and panels.rats droppings(20 or more) inside the storage.instructed to rodent insect/proof door and panels. Serious violation:7-38-020
2. 32
  Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
  Observed knife stored between the equipments.knives rack is needed at prep line across from cooking, equipment.
3. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Beginning of slime substance at interior of ice machine and nozzle dispenser at self serve pop machine in dining area.need to clean and maintain
4. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Spillage under the shelves inside the walk-in freezer(south-west corner);spillage under the pop dispenser and under the plastic lines.when water is released from compartment sinks a strong sewage gas odor comes from floor drain and from floor grease trap instructed to clean all mentioned and maintain
PassOct 30, 2015CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Floors at rear storeage area in need of cleaning to remove all debris. Must clean nad maintain at all times.
ConditionalSep 12, 2014Short Form ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 6
  Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
  Observed food handlers touching italian bread, pita bread, hot dog and hamburger buns, and cheese with bare hands. Instructed manager to use gloves or tongs. There is no bare hand contact with ready to eat food. Gloves must be changed after contaminated and hands must be washed when changing gloves. Critical violation 7-38-010a citation issued.
2. 41
  Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
  Store mop head upright to prevent insect breeding. Organize walk-in cooler.
3. 43
  Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
  Store wash cloths in sanitizing solution.
PassJun 25, 2014LicenseRisk 1 (High)
FailFeb 7, 2014LicenseRisk 1 (High)

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

563×
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
553×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
543×
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
333×
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
583×
Allergen training as required
343×
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
232×
Proper date marking and disposition
222×
Proper cold holding temperatures

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 2308808 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.