Week 15 Health Inspection Roundup: 23% of Chicago Restaurants Fail Food Safety Checks

The State of Chicago's Restaurant Health

CHICAGO, IL - Nearly one in four Chicago food establishments failed health inspections during Week 15 (April 7-13, 2025), according to data from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Analysis by CleanKitchens.org reveals that 23 out of 100 inspected establishments received failing grades, with several ordered to close immediately due to serious violations. The data highlights persistent issues across neighborhoods, from rodent infestations in upscale West Loop eateries to temperature control failures in South Side establishments.

The inspection results paint a concerning picture of food safety across the city, with a total of 203 violations documented during the week. While none were classified as critical by CDPH standards, many establishments demonstrated fundamental failures in basic sanitation practices, pest control, and equipment maintenance that could potentially impact public health.

Among the most troubling findings were widespread evidence of rodent and insect activity, improper food temperature control, and inadequate handwashing facilities—all considered significant risk factors for foodborne illness by public health experts.

Neighborhood Patterns: Where Violations Cluster

Analysis of the inspection data reveals distinct patterns across Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. The North Side, particularly areas around Irving Park and Lawrence Avenue, showed a concerning concentration of pest-related violations. In contrast, establishments in the Loop and Near North Side generally performed better, though exceptions were noted.

In Albany Park, inspectors found evidence of rodent activity in multiple establishments, including approximately 30 mouse droppings at Mo' Wings Pasta and Grill on South Ashland Avenue. The inspector noted droppings "on dry food storage shelving units, on wall outlet at dry food storage shelf, inside of hole in wall next to grease trap, on rear tool storage shelf, on floor in between clutter on floor in front prep area."

Meanwhile, in Uptown, Hands on Thai & Sushi on Irving Park Road was cited for approximately 14 live roaches throughout the facility, including in food preparation areas and under cooking equipment. The establishment received a citation and failed its inspection.

The data suggests that certain neighborhoods may face greater challenges in maintaining proper sanitation standards, potentially due to older building infrastructure, higher restaurant density, or varying levels of resources for pest control and facility maintenance.

Immediate Closures: The Most Serious Cases

Five establishments were ordered to close immediately during Week 15 inspections, representing the most serious cases encountered by health inspectors. These closures typically indicate conditions that present an immediate health risk to the public.

Chi Town Food & Liquor on North Pulaski Road was closed after inspectors documented 10 violations, including inadequate handwashing facilities, sewage backing up into a sink, and gaps in exterior doors that could allow pest entry. The establishment also lacked a written employee health policy, which is required to ensure food handlers understand when they should not work due to illness.

Harvest Food on North Elston Avenue and Senor Pan Cafe, also on North Elston, were both ordered to close, though specific violation details were not provided in the inspection reports.

Ideal Bakery Enterprises on North Milwaukee Avenue and The Tamale Lady on West Cermak Road rounded out the list of establishments ordered to close during the week.

While immediate closures represent the most severe regulatory action, they also provide an opportunity for establishments to address serious deficiencies before reopening to the public. Facilities ordered to close must correct all violations and pass a follow-up inspection before they can resume operations.

Most Common Violations: Recurring Issues

Analysis of the Week 15 inspection data reveals several recurring violation types that appeared consistently across different establishments and neighborhoods. Understanding these patterns can help both regulators and restaurant operators focus their efforts on the most prevalent issues.

The most frequently cited violations included:

Physical Facilities Maintenance (55 citations): This category includes violations related to the cleanliness and maintenance of floors, walls, ceilings, and other physical aspects of the establishment. At Tasty Chicken & Salad Food Mart on West 95th Street, inspectors noted "food debris and spills on floor under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, storage and dish washing areas."

Pest Control Issues (38 citations): Violations related to rodent and insect activity were widespread. At Everett Elementary School, inspectors found "about 5 rodent droppings by the 2 door refrigeration unit and about 20 rodent droppings under the dry storage shelves in the dry storage area."

Non-Food Contact Surface Cleanliness (49 citations): This includes the cleanliness of equipment exteriors, storage racks, and other surfaces that don't directly contact food. At Potbelly Sandwich Works on North Clark Street, inspectors instructed staff to "detail clean and maintain storage racks with moldlike build-up inside the walk-in cooler."

Plumbing Issues (51 citations): Problems with leaking faucets, improper drainage, and backflow prevention were common. At Community First Healthcare, inspectors observed "sewage back-up at floor drain when water is draining at 3-compartment sink."

Handwashing Facilities (10 citations): Inadequate handwashing sinks, missing soap or paper towels, and lack of handwashing signage were cited at multiple establishments. At Community First Healthcare, inspectors noted "paper towels at hand washing sink not accessible to employees to dry hands."

Temperature Control: A Critical Food Safety Factor

Proper temperature control is one of the most fundamental aspects of food safety, as it prevents the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. During Week 15 inspections, several establishments were cited for temperature-related violations that could potentially put public health at risk.

At Community First Healthcare, inspectors found hot foods being held at dangerously low temperatures: "Observed hashbrowns at improper hot holding temperature at 90F at hot holding unit. Also observed cooked potatoes at 87F." The health code requires hot foods to be maintained at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth.

Cold holding violations were even more common. At Green Line Food Mart on South Racine Avenue, inspectors documented numerous foods at unsafe temperatures: "Observed improper temperatures of TCS food such as 2-oz. sliced ham-48.2F, 2.5lbs. sliced tomato-45.7F-47.7F, 1lb. cut lettuce-47.1F, 3lbs. tzatiki sauce-48.7F, 1-dozen eggs-57.2F, 1/2 gallon milk-49.3F." All these items should have been stored at 41°F or below.

Similarly, at Flo on West Chicago Avenue, inspectors found "cooked rice at 50F, chorizo at 47F and salsa at 48F inside of the prep cooler." The establishment received a citation for this priority violation.

Temperature control violations are particularly concerning because they can directly lead to foodborne illness outbreaks. According to the CDC, maintaining proper food temperatures is one of the most effective ways to prevent the growth of pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.

Cuisine Type Comparison: How Different Restaurants Perform

The Week 15 inspection data provides an opportunity to analyze how different types of food establishments perform in health inspections. While individual practices vary widely, some patterns emerged when comparing different cuisine types and restaurant categories.

Fast Food Chains: National and regional fast food chains generally performed better than independent restaurants during Week 15 inspections. Wendy's on West Division Street passed with just one minor plumbing violation, while Krispy Krunchy Chicken on West Peterson Avenue also passed with a single minor violation. This pattern may reflect the standardized training and corporate oversight typical of chain establishments.

Coffee Shops: Coffee establishments showed mixed results. Dunkin' Donuts on South Cicero Avenue received a conditional pass due to management certification issues, while Chicago French Press at the University of Chicago passed with just one minor violation related to floor drain cleanliness.

Asian Cuisine: Establishments serving Asian cuisine faced challenges during Week 15 inspections. Hands on Thai & Sushi failed its inspection due to roach infestation, while Kimberli Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine on West Lawrence Avenue failed with five violations including unlabeled food containers and cleanliness issues. However, Fried Rice Express on West Higgins Avenue passed with zero violations.

Mexican Restaurants: Mexican establishments showed variable performance. Sacramento Three Brothers failed its inspection with six violations including no certified food manager present, while Banquetes La Gloria on West 47th Street passed with zero violations.

Schools and Institutional Food Service: Educational institutions showed concerning results during Week 15. Everett Elementary School failed its inspection due to rodent droppings, while Harlan Community Academy failed with four violations including plumbing issues and uncorrected previous violations.

Pest Control: A Persistent Challenge

Pest control emerged as one of the most significant challenges for Chicago food establishments during Week 15 inspections. Evidence of rodent and insect activity was documented at multiple locations across the city, highlighting the ongoing battle restaurants face in maintaining pest-free environments.

The most severe pest-related violations included:

At Hands on Thai & Sushi, inspectors observed "approximately 14 live roaches located in the following areas in prep area on floor and in corner near handwashing sink, in cabinet below cash register, behind cold-hold unit in rear, on counter near dishes, underneath shelving units, and under and behind cooking equipment." The establishment received a citation for this priority foundation violation.

At Mo' Wings Pasta and Grill, inspectors found "evidence of approximately 30 or more mice droppings on dry food storage shelving units, on wall outlet at dry food storage shelf, inside of hole in wall next to grease trap, on rear tool storage shelf, on floor in between clutter on floor in front prep area."

Even 7-Eleven #33698J on North Sheridan Road was cited for "over 30 small flies inside the garbage cans, where used coffee grinds are discarded. Garbage containers are stored inside the cabinet of self serve coffee and pop machines. Flies coming out from the hole of counter top of garbage containers."

Schools were not immune to pest problems. Everett Elementary School failed its inspection after inspectors found "about 5 rodent droppings by the 2 door refrigeration unit and about 20 rodent droppings under the dry storage shelves in the dry storage area."

Pest control violations are particularly concerning because rodents and insects can spread disease-causing organisms throughout a facility. According to the CDC, rodents can transmit more than 35 diseases to humans either directly or indirectly. The presence of pests in food establishments indicates potential gaps in the building's physical barriers, sanitation practices, or pest management programs.

Certification and Training Issues

A concerning trend in the Week 15 inspection data was the number of establishments cited for lacking properly certified and trained staff. These violations suggest gaps in food safety knowledge that could potentially lead to unsafe practices.

Several establishments were cited for not having a City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate holder present while preparing or serving food. At Sacramento Three Brothers, inspectors "observed no City of Chicago certified food manager present while TCS foods (pizza at 136F) are being prepared or served." This represents a priority foundation violation under Chicago's health code.

Similarly, ICCI Kids Care on West Belmont Avenue was cited for having "no person with a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate posted on site."

Food handler training violations were also common. At Kings Soul Food Gallery on South Cottage Grove Avenue, inspectors found a "food handler on site with no proof that she met the food handler's requirements."

A newer requirement that many establishments struggled to meet was allergen awareness training. Kimberli Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine was cited for having a "certified food manager without the allergen training certificate." Similarly, Lia on West Illinois Street had "no allergen awareness training certificate provided for City of Chicago food service sanitation manager."

These certification and training requirements exist to ensure that food service staff understand critical food safety principles. Proper training helps prevent common mistakes that can lead to foodborne illness, such as cross-contamination, improper cooking temperatures, and poor personal hygiene.

Success Stories: Perfect Inspections

While much of the Week 15 inspection data highlights areas for improvement, it's important to recognize the establishments that demonstrated excellent food safety practices. Several restaurants passed their inspections with zero violations, showcasing their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety.

Reina's Cakes on North Spaulding Avenue passed with zero violations. This bakery demonstrated that even small, independent businesses can maintain excellent food safety standards.

Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio on North Milwaukee Avenue also achieved a perfect inspection score. This establishment proved that teaching kitchens can maintain the same high standards expected of commercial restaurants.

Several other establishments passed with zero violations, including Mesa Urbana, Atolito Mexican Kitchen on North Milwaukee Avenue, Fried Rice Express on West Higgins Avenue, The Bandit on West Randolph Street, and Banquetes La Gloria on West 47th Street.

These establishments demonstrate that maintaining perfect compliance with health codes is achievable across different cuisine types, price points, and neighborhoods. Their success provides a model for other food establishments to follow and shows that rigorous attention to food safety practices can become part of a restaurant's standard operating procedures.

Schools and Childcare Facilities: Special Concerns

The Week 15 inspection data included several schools and childcare facilities, raising particular concerns given the vulnerable populations they serve. Children are especially susceptible to foodborne illnesses, making food safety in these institutions critically important.

Unfortunately, several educational institutions failed their inspections during Week 15. Everett Elementary School failed due to rodent droppings found in food storage areas. The inspector noted "about 5 rodent droppings by the 2 door refrigeration unit and about 20 rodent droppings under the dry storage shelves in the dry storage area."

Harlan Community Academy failed its inspection with four violations, including leaking plumbing, garbage disposal issues, and missing ceiling vent covers. Most concerning was the notation that "previous priority foundation violation not corrected from report #2615135 on 4-4-25," indicating ongoing issues that had not been addressed despite previous citations.

Nino's Heroes Elementary School failed its inspection with three violations, including a malfunctioning faucet in the boys' washroom and uncorrected previous violations.

On a more positive note, Gwendolyn Brooks Preparatory Academy passed its inspection with just two minor violations related to physical facilities maintenance.

Childcare facilities showed similar mixed results. ICCI Kids Care failed its inspection with three violations, including no certified food manager on site and no employee health policy. However, Jeran Day School + Learning Center passed with just one minor violation related to handwashing facilities.

Repeat Violations: Persistent Problems

One of the most concerning patterns in the Week 15 inspection data was the number of establishments cited for failing to correct violations identified in previous inspections. These repeat violations suggest either a lack of understanding of the requirements or insufficient commitment to addressing known food safety issues.

At Salerno's on West Grand Avenue, inspectors noted a "previous priority foundation violation from report #2593423 on 4/25/24 not corrected." This means the establishment had failed to address a significant violation for nearly a year.

Similarly, Harlan Community Academy was cited for a "previous priority foundation violation not corrected from report #2615135 on 4-4-25," indicating that issues identified just a week earlier had not been addressed.

Learning Tree Preschool and Nursery failed its inspection solely because a "previous priority foundation from 4/1/25 report 2614835 not corrected."

Community First Healthcare was cited for multiple previous violations not corrected from a July 2024 inspection, including food spills on the floor and a leak under the dish machine.

Repeat violations are particularly concerning because they indicate systemic issues rather than isolated incidents. They suggest that the establishment may not have effective food safety management systems in place or may not be prioritizing corrections even after being formally cited.

The Impact on Public Health

The violations documented during Week 15 inspections have real implications for public health in Chicago. While the direct connection between specific violations and illness outbreaks is difficult to establish, research consistently shows that poor food safety practices increase the risk of foodborne illness.

According to the CDC, approximately 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne diseases each year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Many of these illnesses can be traced back to improper food handling practices in restaurants and other food service establishments.

The temperature control violations observed at establishments like Community First Healthcare and Green Line Food Mart create conditions where bacteria can multiply rapidly. When foods like eggs, dairy products, and sliced vegetables are held at temperatures between 41°F and 135°F (the "danger zone"), pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli can double in number in as little as 20 minutes.

Similarly, the pest infestations documented at establishments like Hands on Thai & Sushi and Mo' Wings Pasta and Grill create vectors for disease transmission. Rodents and insects can carry pathogens on their bodies and deposit them on food contact surfaces or directly on food items.

The handwashing violations observed at multiple establishments are particularly concerning given that proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of pathogens. When handwashing sinks lack soap, paper towels, or are inaccessible, food handlers may skip this critical step, potentially transferring pathogens from their hands to food.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The Week 15 inspection data paints a mixed picture of food safety in Chicago's restaurants and food service establishments. While some establishments demonstrated excellent compliance with health codes, the 23% failure rate indicates significant room for improvement across the industry.

The patterns observed in the data suggest several areas where focused efforts could yield substantial improvements:

Enhanced Pest Control: The prevalence of rodent and insect activity across multiple establishments indicates a need for more robust pest management programs. This includes not only regular extermination services but also addressing structural issues that allow pests to enter buildings and eliminating conditions that attract them.

Better Temperature Control: The temperature violations observed at multiple establishments highlight the need for better equipment maintenance, more frequent temperature monitoring, and staff training on the importance of proper temperature control.

Improved Staff Training: The numerous violations related to certification and training suggest a need for more accessible and effective food safety education programs. Ensuring that all food handlers understand basic food safety principles is fundamental to preventing foodborne illness.

More Rigorous Follow-Up: The number of establishments cited for uncorrected previous violations indicates a need for more rigorous follow-up inspections and potentially stronger enforcement mechanisms for repeat offenders.

As consumers, this data underscores the importance of considering health inspection results when choosing where to dine. The City of Chicago's commitment to transparency in publishing inspection data allows diners to make informed decisions about the establishments they patronize, creating market incentives for restaurants to prioritize food safety.

For restaurant operators, the data highlights both challenges and opportunities. While maintaining perfect compliance with health codes requires diligence and resources, the establishments that achieved zero violations during Week 15 demonstrate that it is achievable across different cuisine types and price points.

Ultimately, food safety is a shared responsibility between regulators, food service operators, and consumers. By working together to address the issues identified in these inspections, we can create a safer food environment for all Chicago residents and visitors.