Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Joey's Red Hots

11500 S Western Ave

Last inspected Oct 13, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Joey's Red Hots last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 13, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 4 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 5 inspections on record, from Jan 18, 2024 to Oct 13, 2026.
Has Joey's Red Hots ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Jan 18, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

5 inspections

Canvass

Oct 13, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official Wording

Personal cleanliness

Inspector’s Notes

FOUND EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREA TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.

In Plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector’s Notes

FOUND WIPING CLOTHS NOT STORED PROPERLY IN THE COOKING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s Notes

FOUND THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS WITH GREASE AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s Notes

FOUND THE FLOORS UNDER THE COOKING/COOLING EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT, FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 13, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 11, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official Wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED THE BLACK PAINTED WALL AREA OVER THE FOOD PREP STATION IN THE FRONT WITH A BUILD UP OF DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACES BELOW.

In Plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED THE NOZZLES OF THE SLUSHY DISEPENCING UNITS IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING FROM A BUILD UP OF DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED THE FLOORS OF THE WALK IN COOLING UNIT AND FREEZER IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING UNDER THE SHELVING AND ALONG THE EDGES OF THE WALLS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH UNITS.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED FLOORS BEHIND EQUIPMENT ALONG WALLS IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS, FRONT FOOD SERVICE AND REAR PREP AREAS.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official Wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED AIR VENTS THROUGHOUT WITH A BUILD UP OF DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 25, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED KNIFE STUCK BETWEEN WALL AND CONDUIT PIPE FOR ELECTRIC. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE KNIFE AND STORE KNIFE IN A PROPER HOLDER.

In Plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s Notes

RUBBER GASKETS ON WALK IN FREEZER IN NEED OF REPLACING RUBBER GASKETS ON REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

FLOORS THROUGHOUT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILL AND GREASE BUILD UP. GREASE BUILD UP UNDER GYROS MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official Wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s Notes

HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST AND GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 5, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED A KNIFE STORED IMPROPERLY. KNIFE WAS STUCK BETWEEN WALL AND REACH IN FREEZER. MANAGER REMOVED.

In Plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s Notes

CAN OPENER BLADE IN NEED OF REPLACING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

FOOD PREP TABLES AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD SPILLS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official Wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s Notes

OUTSIDE WASTE AREA IN NEED OF ATTENTION WHERE RECYCLES ARE STORED. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

WALLS AND CEILING IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE DUST BUILD UP. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 5, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 18, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s Notes

WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s Notes

LARGE CAN OPENER IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING AT THE BLADE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA AND FRONT LINE AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS. DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

FLOORS UNDER ALL STORAGE SHELVES IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS, PAPER, SUPPLIES AND OTHER DEBRIS INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 44Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s Notes

ALL SOILED WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE KEPT TOGETHER IN A CONTAINER READY FOR PICKUP FROM LINEN COMPANY. ALL TOWELS THROWN AROUND MUST BE ELIMINATED AND CONTAINED CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.