What is Northside Grill's health inspection score?

Northside Grill has a SafeDine safety score of 89 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Northside Grill last inspected?

Northside Grill was last inspected on January 21, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Northside Grill have?

Northside Grill has 23 total violations across 5 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Northside Grill safe to eat at?

Yes, Northside Grill has an excellent safety record with a score of 89/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

What type of cuisine does Northside Grill serve?

Northside Grill serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Northside Grill

Name: Northside Grill
Address: 4351 N ELSTON AVE, Chicago, 60641
Rating: 89

4351 N ELSTON AVE, Chicago

Last Inspected: 1/21/2026

Own or manage this restaurant?

Claim it to unlock analytics →

0Excellent

American•Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 22% of american restaurants

Stable

5 inspections

Last: Jan 21, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

4.6

Avg Violations

4 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Cross-contamination

Raw and cooked foods not properly separated

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-12

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-1 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-3 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-6 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

0 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 88/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (89/100) which is computed during our regular data sync.

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

Open location in Google Maps →

4351 N ELSTON AVE, Chicago, IL 60641

Open in Maps

View Menu Order Online

Violation Timeline

Jun 2022

1 inspections

1 intermediate

8 basic

Jun

May 2023

1 inspections

3 basic

May 2024

1 inspections

1 high priority

3 basic

May

Jan 2025

1 inspections

3 basic

Jan 2026

1 inspections

1 intermediate

3 basic

Jan

Inspection History

5 records on file

5 Canvass

Jan 26

Canvass InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

23PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION−5
FOUND READY TO EAT TCS FOODS IN REFRIGERATOR NOT DATE MARKED SUCH AS COOKED RICE, COOKED SAUSAGE, ETC. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD FOR 24 HOURS MUST BE PROPERLY DATE MARKED WITH THE DATE THE FOOD WILL BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLER WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−11 pts

Jan 25

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED DAMP WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON COUNTERTOPS IN MAIN PREP AREA BETWEEN USES, NOT HELD IN CHEMICAL SANITIZER SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN WIPING CLOTHS USED FOR WIPING COUNTERS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT IN AN ADEQUATE CHEMICAL SANITIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MAINTENANCE TOOLS STORED ABOVE OPEN FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE REAR STORAGE HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE MAINTENANCE TOOLS SUCH THAT THEY DO NOT POSE RISK OF CONTAMINATION OF FOOD OR CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED GREASE VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM ABOVE MAIN COOK LINE AND REAR PREP AREA STOVE TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED WITH GREASE, DUST, AND OTHER DEBRIS ALONG INTERIOR SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM OF ADEQUATE CAPACITY AND CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEMS AT ADEQUATE FREQEUNCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE AND OTHER SOILS.

Base deductions−6 pts

May 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High3 Basic

4 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED INTERIOR GUARD OF ICE MACHINE WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED POTS OF FOOD BEING STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNATH STORAGE RACKS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS AND MAINTAIN.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED RUSTY SHELVES IN TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CELAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−16 pts

May 23

Canvass InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE 2 AND 3 DOOR PREP COOLERS, INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP TABLE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR BOTH FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Base deductions−6 pts

Jun 22

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med8 Basic

9 total

79/100inspection score

−21 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED A DRY FOOD CONTAINER WITHOUT A LABEL WITH THE FOOD ITEM'S COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS THAT'S NOT IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Basic (8)

−16 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED TWO FOOD HANDLERS WITH OUT ANY EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE SURE ALL FOOD HANDLERS HAVE EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING FOOD.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED PEELING PAINT AND DAMAGED WOODEN SHELVES ABOVE THE TWO-COMPARTMENT SINK AND THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED REPAINT, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL WOODEN SHELVING UNITS SO THAT THEY'RE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED OPENINGS AND HOLES ALONG THE WALL BASES IN THE ELECTRICAL BOX STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND HOLES AND MAINTAIN.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED GREASE BUILD AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER THE INTERIOR OF THE EQUIPMENT, FLAT TOP GRILL, AND INTERIOR SHELVES IN COCA-COLA REFRIGERATOR IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS, DUST, AND DIRT ON WALLS AND ON FLOORS IN THE FURNACE ROOM/ ELECTRICAL ROOM, AND THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED MOPS IN MOP SINK BASE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A HOOK UP SYSTEM FOR MOPS.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED TWO BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND A DAMAGED PROTECTIVE SHIELD ABOVE THE MILK SHAKE MACHINE IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, REPLACE, AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD IN THE REAR KITCHEN AND IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−21 pts

Community Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Leave a Review

Community Safety Reports

No reviewed safety reports. Help keep others safe by reporting any food safety concerns.

Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

Explore More

Restaurants in Chicago American Restaurants Best in Chicago All Illinois Restaurants