How to Read a Chicago Health Inspection Report
Chicago health inspection reports are public but nearly unreadable. Here's what each section actually means.
Dispatches
Notes on Chicago food inspections and what the data actually says.
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What Does 'Pass with Conditions' Actually Mean?
About 15% of Chicago inspections end with a conditional pass. Neither clean nor failed. Here's what that means.
How Often Are Chicago Restaurants Inspected?
Chicago uses risk-based scheduling. High-risk restaurants are supposed to get inspected twice a year. The word 'supposed' is doing a lot of work.
What Happens When a Restaurant Fails a Health Inspection
A failed health inspection doesn't mean what you think it means. Here's what actually happens next.
Chicago's Dirtiest Neighborhoods: Roaches, Rodents & the Cleanest Kitchens
We ranked every Chicago neighborhood by cockroach citations, rodent droppings, and restaurant pass rates. Some of these are not surprising. Some are.
The 2026 Chicago Rat Map
We mapped every rodent citation in the Chicago health inspection database. The distribution is not random.
Is Your Favorite Chain Clean? Chicago Fast Food Safety Rankings
We ranked Chicago's biggest fast food chains by health inspection pass rate. Chipotle is at the top. Domino's is not.
What Inspectors Actually Look For
A Chicago health inspector walks into your restaurant. Here's what they're checking, in what order, and which findings end your night.
The Cleanest Neighborhoods for Eating Out in Chicago
Some Chicago neighborhoods pass health inspections at rates 20 points above the city average. Here's where and why.