CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at STEVE'S LOUNGE during a routine inspection conducted on 04/10/2023.
Situated at 13200 S BALTIMORE AVE, the establishment is part of South Chicago's active food service sector. The South Chicago area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 6 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation concerned hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Food-contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized - Comments: Chemical Dishwashing Machine Not Properly Sanitizing During Inspection. Premises Not Open for Business and Machine Was Corrected on Site. No Citation Issued.. 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 second violation concerned food storage. Inspectors documented: Food Properly Labeled. Storing food at incorrect temperatures accelerates spoilage and pathogen growth.
The third violation concerned storage procedures. Inspectors documented: Original Container - Comments: All Bulk Food Storage Containers in Need of Proper Labeling Correct and Maintain.. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals.
The fourth violation involved pest prevention. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed Rodent Activity in Basement Area. in the Dirt Floor Basement There Were Approximately 30-40 Droppings on Storage Shelves and Pilars with Cement Bottoms. in Liquor Side of Basement There Were Approximately 30-35 Droppings in Storage Milk Crates. 10-12 Droppings at Bottom of Stair Area. Instructed to Detail Clean All Areas and Contact Pest Control for Service. Priority Foundation 7-38-020(a) Citation Issued. 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 fifth violation related to pest control. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: All Glue Boards with Dead Insects Are in Need of Removing and Install Clean Glue Boards. Instructed to Correct and Maintain.. 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 sixth violation related to food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Garbage & Refuse. Non-compliance with safety standards may create conditions that compromise food safety.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
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: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED OUTER OPENINGS AROUND TRAP DOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE THREE DOOR REACH IN COOLER SHELVING RUSTING. OBSERVED RUST DEPOSITS INSIDE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR DEEP CLEAN TO REMOVE ANY BUILDING RUST AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING ANY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER OF CHRISTMAS TREE AND OTHER ITEMS IN THE WALK IN STORAGE AREA LOCATED AT THE BACK OF THE STAGE AREA IN THE BANQUET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAR OUT, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO HELP PREVENT POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSTECT HARBORING.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD IN UTENISL STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RPELACE AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: CHEMICAL DISHWASHING MACHINE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING DURING INSPECTION. PREMISES NOT OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND MACHINE WAS CORRECTED ON SITE. NO CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN NEED OF PROPER LABELING CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED RODENT ACTIVITY IN BASEMENT AREA. IN THE DIRT FLOOR BASEMENT THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 30-40 DROPPINGS ON STORAGE SHELVES AND PILARS WITH CEMENT BOTTOMS. IN LIQUOR SIDE OF BASEMENT THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 30-35 DROPPINGS IN STORAGE MILK CRATES. 10-12 DROPPINGS AT BOTTOM OF STAIR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: ALL GLUE BOARDS WITH DEAD INSECTS ARE IN NEED OF REMOVING AND INSTALL CLEAN GLUE BOARDS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE NOT MAINTAINED. OPEN AND OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH. TRASH STACK AROUND DUMPSTER AND ALONG THE FENCE LINE IN BACK YARD. ALL GARBAGE MUST BE CONTAINED AND DISPOSED OF. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT GARBAGE DISPOSAL COMPANY TO ADD ADDITIONAL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN BASEMENT AND OUTSIDE IN BACK YARD AREA IN NEED OF REMOVAL. ALL AREAS ARE CAUSE FOR RODENT HARBORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN CLEAN, ORGANIZED AND FREE OF CLUTTER.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: ALL LIGHT SHEILDS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEAD INSECTS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN..
Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands. Storing food at incorrect temperatures accelerates spoilage and pathogen growth. Allergen cross-contact during storage can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals. Flies can transfer pathogens from garbage and feces to food preparation areas.
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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