Chicago Sushi Safety: Health Inspections Reveal 75% Failure Rate Among Local Japanese Eateries

Inspection Overview

CHICAGO, IL - A concerning pattern has emerged in Chicago's sushi scene as recent health inspections conducted between April 7-13, 2025, revealed that three out of four sushi establishments failed their health inspections. The inspections, carried out by the Chicago Department of Public Health, identified a total of 21 violations across the restaurants, highlighting significant food safety concerns in one of the city's most popular dining categories.

This investigation by CleanKitchens.org examines the specific violations found at these establishments, analyzes patterns across the failures, and provides context for diners concerned about food safety when enjoying this Japanese culinary staple in the Windy City. These findings come as part of our ongoing monitoring of Chicago's food safety landscape, following our Week 15 roundup which highlighted broader inspection trends across the city.

Detailed Findings at Each Establishment

Lucky Trendy Sushi

Located at 2735 N Milwaukee Avenue in the vibrant Logan Square neighborhood, Lucky Trendy Sushi recorded the highest number of violations at nine, leading to a failed inspection on April 7. The restaurant, situated just steps from the Logan Square Blue Line station, faced significant operational issues including non-functioning refrigeration equipment.

Most concerning was the inspector's discovery that "walk-in cooler and sushi cooler [were] not turned on," classified as a priority violation. For a cuisine that relies heavily on raw fish, proper refrigeration is essential to prevent foodborne illness. Additional violations included the absence of an employee health policy, missing consumer advisories for raw/undercooked food, and inadequate handwashing facilities—all fundamental food safety requirements.

Hands On Thai & Sushi

Hands On Thai & Sushi, located at 5056 W Irving Park Road in the Portage Park neighborhood, failed its April 10 inspection with seven violations. The most alarming finding was the presence of approximately 14 live roaches throughout the facility, including in food preparation areas and near handwashing stations. The inspector noted roaches "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."

This pest infestation resulted in a citation and priority foundation violation. Additional issues included excessive ice buildup in freezers, damaged backflow devices, and inadequate ventilation hood cleaning—all factors that can compromise food safety.

Kimberli Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine

Ravenswood's Kimberli Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine at 2547 W Lawrence Avenue failed its April 11 inspection with five violations. While none were classified as critical, inspectors found unlabeled bulk containers, inadequately cleaned surfaces, disorganized storage areas, and missing allergen training certificates. The report also noted that previous priority foundation violations had not been corrected from a prior inspection, indicating persistent compliance issues.

Hachi Sushi, LLC

The sole bright spot in this inspection cycle was Hachi Sushi, LLC at 2526 W Cermak Road in the Heart of Chicago neighborhood. This establishment passed its April 9 inspection with zero violations, demonstrating that proper food safety protocols are achievable in sushi preparation settings. Located near the historic Pilsen neighborhood and accessible via the Pink Line, Hachi Sushi stands as an example of excellence in an otherwise concerning landscape.

Common Violation Patterns

Analysis of the inspection reports reveals several recurring issues across the failed establishments:

Cleanliness and Maintenance Issues: All three failed establishments had violations related to inadequate cleaning of food-contact surfaces, equipment, or facilities. This pattern suggests a systemic challenge in maintaining proper sanitation standards essential for safe sushi preparation.

Allergen Training Deficiencies: Both Lucky Trendy Sushi and Kimberli Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine were cited for missing allergen training certificates. Given that seafood is one of the most common food allergens, this training is particularly critical for sushi establishments.

Pest Control Challenges: The significant roach infestation at Hands On Thai & Sushi represents one of the most serious violations observed. Pest control is fundamental to food safety, as insects can transmit pathogens to food surfaces.

Temperature Control Problems: The non-functioning refrigeration equipment at Lucky Trendy Sushi poses particular concern for a cuisine centered around raw fish. Proper cold holding temperatures are essential to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, especially in uncooked seafood.

Public Health Implications

The high failure rate among these sushi establishments raises significant public health concerns. Sushi preparation involves unique food safety challenges due to its reliance on raw fish, which can harbor parasites and bacteria if not properly handled, stored, and served.

According to the FDA, raw fish must be frozen before consumption to kill parasites, and must be stored at proper temperatures throughout the supply chain. The violations observed—particularly non-functioning refrigeration equipment and pest infestations—directly compromise these critical safety measures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies raw seafood as a high-risk food category for foodborne illness. Without proper handling protocols, consumers may be exposed to pathogens like Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can cause serious illness.

Chicago's vibrant food scene includes over 100 sushi restaurants across its diverse neighborhoods. With the popularity of Japanese cuisine continuing to rise, ensuring these establishments maintain proper food safety standards is increasingly important for public health protection.

Recommendations for Consumers

For Chicago residents and visitors seeking to enjoy sushi safely, these inspection results offer valuable guidance:

• Research Before Dining: Check establishment inspection histories through resources like CleanKitchens.org or the Chicago Department of Public Health data portal.
• Look for Visual Cues: Clean preparation areas, proper staff hygiene practices, and appropriate food handling are observable indicators of food safety compliance.
• Consider Establishment Track Records: Restaurants with consistent passing inspections, like Hachi Sushi in this report, demonstrate ongoing commitment to food safety.
• Be Cautious with Special Populations: Pregnant women, elderly individuals, young children, and those with compromised immune systems should be particularly careful about consuming raw fish.

Chicago's sushi landscape offers many excellent options for diners. By making informed choices based on inspection data, consumers can enjoy this cuisine while minimizing health risks.

Conclusion

The 75% failure rate among inspected sushi establishments during this period highlights significant food safety challenges in this specialized restaurant category. From pest infestations to improper refrigeration and inadequate training, these violations represent real risks to consumer health.

However, Hachi Sushi's perfect inspection score demonstrates that excellence in sushi safety is achievable. As Chicago's dining scene continues to evolve, maintaining rigorous food safety standards remains essential—particularly for establishments serving raw seafood.

CleanKitchens.org will continue monitoring inspection results across Chicago's diverse culinary landscape, providing consumers with the information needed to make safe dining choices. For ongoing updates on food safety in Chicago, follow our Facebook page.

Data for this report comes from the City of Chicago Data Portal .