CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at NICKY V'S during a routine inspection conducted on 04/07/2023.
The facility operates from 11055 S PULASKI RD in West Lawn, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 7 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.
The first violation related to pest control. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed 1/4" Gap on Bottom of South Door. Instructed Manager to Seal All Outer Openings on Door to Prevent Pest Entry.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Pest droppings and debris can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in sensitive individuals.
The second violation concerned pest control. Inspectors documented: Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display - Comments: Observed Food Items Stored on Floor in Walk-in Cooler and Storage Areas. Instructed Manager to Elevate All Food Items Six Inches Off Floor.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Flies can transfer pathogens from garbage and feces to food preparation areas.
The third violation concerned supervisory requirements. Inspectors documented: Single-use/single-service Articles: Properly Stored & Used - Comments: Observed Single Service Articles Not Inverted in Prep Area. Instructed Manager to Invert All Single Service Articles to Protect From Contamination.. The FDA Food Code mandates that at least one employee with supervisory responsibility be a certified food protection manager to ensure active managerial control. For more information, see FDA certified food protection manager requirements. Lack of knowledge about allergen management can result in allergic reactions.
The fourth violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Plumbing Installed. Health code violations require correction to maintain safe operating conditions.
The fifth violation concerned handwashing procedures. Inspectors documented: Proper Backflow Devices - Comments: Observed Leak Under Hand Washing Sink in Washroom and Loose Hand Washing Sink in Prep Area. Instructed Manager to Repair and Maintain.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
The sixth violation concerned sanitization. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: Observed Missing Outlet Cover on Wall and Peeling Paint on Ceiling in Prep Area. Instructed Manager to Replace/repair and Maintain.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
The seventh violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Physical Faciliti. Regulatory standards exist to minimize health risks to consumers.
Establishments receiving violations must submit correction plans and may face additional inspections. Failure to address violations can result in fines, permit suspension, or closure.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/07/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE SURFACE AREA UNDER THE FLAT TOP COOKING AREA WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND SMALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST OR INSECT ACTIVITY.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE REAR UNDER THE BLACK SHELVING UNIT WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT, DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR OMAR DE LOERA RAMIREZ. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE ON SITE.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: LEAK 3 COMPARTENT SINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: HOOD VENTS IN NEED OF CKEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD DEBRIS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND FOOD SPILLS INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS, WALK IN COOLER AND REACH IN FREEZER IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL SPILLS.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INTERIOR OF SMALL REFRIGERATOR IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL SPILLS AND ALL ICE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: LEAK AT FAUCET ON 3 COMP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: HOOD VENT FILTERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE PREPARING AND HANDLING TCS FOODS SUCH AS BEEF(171F) AND POTATOES(185.9F) . PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-012.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED BOXES OF POTATOES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE POTATOES SIX INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR TO PREVENT FROM CONTAMINATION.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AT THE BOTTOM OF TWO DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON WALLS AND CEILING VENTS IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING OUTLET COVER ON WALL AND PEELING PAINT ON CEILING IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE/REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY HANG MOPS TO DRY.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS WITH FOOD DEBRIS THROUGHOUT THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM OF SOUTH DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.; SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK UNDER HAND WASHING SINK IN WASHROOM AND LOOSE HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING OUTLET COVER ON WALL AND PEELING PAINT ON CEILING IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE/REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON WALLS AND CEILING VENTS IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING..
Flies can transfer pathogens from garbage and feces to food preparation areas. Lack of knowledge about allergen management can result in allergic reactions. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
View all health inspections, pass rates, and violation history for NICKY V'S
View Business Profile →