CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at PEPES RESTAURANT in an inspection dated 04/10/2023.
Located at 954 W 87TH ST in the Chatham area, the establishment serves the local community. The Chatham neighborhood maintains numerous food service establishments that undergo regular health monitoring.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation related to pest management. Inspectors documented: Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display - Comments: Observed Unwrap Hamburger in the Front Small Reach in Freezer Not Protected From Possible Contamination. Instructed Manager to Properly Store in Food Grade Storage Bags. Also Noted Taco Boat Shell Sitting Out Under Dusty Plugs. Must Cover at All Times.. 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. Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine.
The second violation concerned supervisory requirements. Inspectors documented: Single-use/single-service Articles: Properly Stored & Used - Comments: Instructed Manager to Invert Togo Boxes to Prevent Possible 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. Language barriers without proper training can lead to misunderstandings.
The third violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Plumbing Installed. Violations of health codes can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
The fourth violation related to food temperatures. Inspectors documented: Proper Backflow Devices - Comments: Observed a Leak at the Base of the Cold Water Knob. Must Repair and Maintain.. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus can produce toxins in improperly stored food that are not destroyed by reheating.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/10/2023 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: UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE. INSTD TO INVERT (HANDLE UP) DURING STORAGE; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: BROKEN FLOOR TILES NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME; PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: PIC WITHOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION ON SITE.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: PIC WITHOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012; MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: MISSING EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTD TO PROVIDE A VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE-ACKNOWLEDGED HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010; PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: MISSING PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: LOW-TEMPERATURE WAREWASHING MACHINE UNABLE TO SANITIZE. 0PPM OF CHLORINE NOTED. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: WALK-IN COOLER AND PREP COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURES (RANGING FROM 51.0F-60F) IN INSTD TO MAINTAIN REFRIGERATION AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: MISSING FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE. INSTD TO PROVIDE A FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE CAPABLE OF VERIFYING BOTH COLD AND HOT TEMPERATURES AND MAINTAINING ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE COMPLETE LOGBOOK AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C); TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: MISSING COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: MISSING LICENSED COMMERCIAL REFUSE/GARBAGE DISPOSAL DUMPSTER ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B); ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE..
Rodents can transmit Salmonella, Hantavirus, and other serious pathogens through their droppings and urine. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus can produce toxins in improperly stored food that are not destroyed by reheating.
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.
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