WICKER PARK — A Korean steakhouse that was temporarily shut down by the city last month after inspectors found hundreds of rat droppings and other health issues on the premises will reopen Friday following a clean inspection.
Iron Age Korean Steakhouse, 1265 N. Milwaukee Ave., had its license suspended by the Chicago Department of Public Health on Aug. 20 after inspectors found “over 500” rat droppings in the restaurant’s kitchen, dishwashing area and dining room, according to a report posted on a city database.
Almost a month later, the restaurant has passed a follow-up inspection and will reopen Friday, according to a social media post and sign on its door.
In addition to the rat droppings, inspectors last month also observed “black slime” dripping into an ice machine, according to the report.
Additionally, the city found the restaurant had no chemical test kit on site, inadequate lighting in a mop closet and incomplete food handler certificates for employees.
Records show Iron Age had failed health inspections before, but the August closure was the first time the city suspended its license, a health department spokesperson previously said.
Iron Age Korean Steakhouse in Wicker Park will reopen Sept. 18 following its closure by the city for a failed health inspection in August. Credit: Quinn Myers/Block Club Chicago
An inspector on Wednesday found that there was “no evidence of pest activity” on site and that the ice machine had been cleaned and “properly sanitized,” according to an inspection report reviewed by block Club.
Other violations have also been resolved, the report said.
Iron Age management could not be reached Thursday for comment about the reopening.
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