What is Soju Bbq's health inspection score?

Soju Bbq has a SafeDine safety score of 96 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Soju Bbq last inspected?

Soju Bbq was last inspected on December 18, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Soju Bbq have?

Soju Bbq has 24 total violations across 9 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Soju Bbq safe to eat at?

Yes, Soju Bbq has an excellent safety record with a score of 96/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

Official Health Record

Soju Bbq

Name: Soju Bbq
Address: 36 S ASHLAND, Chicago, 60607
Rating: 96

36 S ASHLAND, Chicago

Last Inspected: 12/18/2025

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0Excellent

West Loop

Ranked #108 of 1000 in West Loop

Declining

9 inspections

Last: Dec 18, 2025

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

44%

Clean Rate

2.7

Avg Violations

4 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Food storage

Food not properly stored or protected

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-4

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-0 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-4 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

-5 pts

Latest

100% weight

100

2nd

60% weight

100

3rd

30% weight

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

36 S ASHLAND, Chicago, IL 60607

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Violation Timeline

Sep 2022

1 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

4 basic

Sep

Aug 2023

2 inspections

1 high priority

1 intermediate

8 basic

Aug 2024

1 inspections

Aug

Sep 2024

2 inspections

1 high priority

3 basic

Jul 2025

1 inspections

Jul

Nov 2025

1 inspections

Dec 2025

1 inspections

4 basic

Dec

Inspection History

9 records on file

4 Canvass4 Non-Inspection1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Dec 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

4 Basic

4 total

92/100inspection score

−8 pts

Basic (4)

−8 pts

43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED−2
ICE SCOOP OBSERVED ON ICE MAKING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN ICE SCOOP CONTAINER.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED WALLS AND FLOORS OF INDOOR GARBAGE AREA NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN ALL AREAS WHERE FOOD IS STORED.

Base deductions−8 pts

Nov 25

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jul 25

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Sep 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 High3 Basic

4 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASHING SIGNS AT HANDSINKS IN BASEMENT AND KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED MISSING BACKFLOW DEVICE AT UTILITY SINK IN BASEMENT MOP SINK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED LOOSE FAUCET AT HANDSINK IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE TOILET ROOM EXHAUST VENTILATION. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−16 pts

Sep 24

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Aug 24

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Aug 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

61SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC−2
8-304.11(A) OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2579977 DATED 8/11/2023. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−2 pts

Aug 23

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High1 Med7 Basic

9 total1 risk factor

66/100inspection score

−29 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (RICE) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED OVER 30 LIVE BLACK SMALL FLYING INSECTS, POSSIBLY FRUIT FLIES, IN THE BASEMENT AREA. OBSERVED 10 INSIDE THE LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM, 10 INSIDE THE STORAGE ROOM ADJACENT TO THE BASEMENT STAIRS, AND 10 THROUGHOUT THE PREP/DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY FROM THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (7)

−14 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED TWO EMPLOYEES PREPARING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE FOR THE SANITIZER (CHLORINE) BEING USED FOR THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF A SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE THE FRYER. OBSERVED HEAVY ICE/FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP INSIDE THE BASEMENT CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN BOTH AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED THE BASEMENT 1 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING FROM THE FAUCET AND DRAINAGE PIPE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE WALL NEXT TO THE BASEMENT MOP SINK. OBSERVED THE CEILING LEAKING NEXT TO THE BASEMENT LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE. MUST REPAIR ALL AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM ADJACENT TO THE BASEMENT STAIRS. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, RE-ORGANIZE REMAINING ITEMS, AND STORE OFF THE FLOOR TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
60PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED−2
OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 9/15/2022 REPORT #2563697 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #53 (6-202.14) MUST PROVIDE SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON BATHROOM DOOR NEAREST TO FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE. VIOLATION #53 (5-501.17) MUST PROVIDE A LID ON THE TRASH CAN IN THE BATHROOM LOCATED BY THE FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE. VIOLATION #55 (6-501.12) MUST CLEAN HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON THE VENT IN THE CUSTOMER BATHROOM. MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Base deductions−29 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

Sep 22

Canvass InspectionPass w/ Conditions

1 High1 Med4 Basic

6 total1 risk factor

72/100inspection score

−23 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTINGRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 49.2F INSIDE PREP COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED RIBS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 47.4F INSIDE OF PREP COOLER. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT PROPER TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. FOOD HAS BEEN DISCARDED AND DENATURED. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 200 LBS AT A COST OF $600.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
MUST PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON BATHROOM DOOR NEAREST TO FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
MUST PROVIDE LID ON TRASH CAN IN BATHROOM LOCATED BY FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
MUST CLEAN HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON VENT IN CUSTOMER BATHROOM.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−23 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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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.

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