Health Inspection Report
GINO'S EAST OF CHICAGO in CHICAGO, IL Failed Its Health Inspection on 04/13/23
CHICAGO, IL
Published: August 21, 2025
CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at GINO'S EAST OF CHICAGO during a routine inspection conducted on 04/13/2023.
The establishment operates from 521 S DEARBORN ST in CHICAGO, serving customers in this business area. Regular health inspections ensure food safety standards are maintained across all local establishments.
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: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied and Accessible - Comments: 6-301.14 Observed No Hand Washing Signs at the Hand Washing Sink Located in the Food Prep Area, Toilet Rooms and By the Bar. Instructed to Provide.. 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. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
The second violation related to sanitization. Inspectors documented: Food-contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized - Comments: 4-602.11(b-e) Observed Cutting Boards Stained with Deep Dark Grooves. Instructed to Remove Grooves, Clean and Sanitize Cutting Boards or Replace.. 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. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
The third violation regarded food storage. Inspectors documented: Food Properly Labeled. Improper storage can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.
The fourth violation involved storage procedures. Inspectors documented: Original Container - Comments: 3-302.12 Observed Dry Food Storage Containers in the Basement Storage Area and in the Food Prep Area Without Labels Containing the Product Name. Instructed to Provide.. Storing food at incorrect temperatures accelerates spoilage and pathogen growth.
The fifth violation related to pest management. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: 6-202.15 Observed the Front Entrance and Side Doors with a One Inch Gap in Between the Front Entrance Doors and Under the Side Doors. Instructed to Make Said Doors Tight Fitting and Rodent Proofed.. 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. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.
The sixth violation concerned pest management. Inspectors documented: Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display - Comments: 3-305.11 Observed Some Dry Storage Under Wa. 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. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.
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 04/13/2023 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this inspection conducted?
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Who conducted this inspection?
Chicago Department of Public Health
What violations were found during this inspection?
The following violations were documented: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: Bulk food containers ( salt, flour...) not labeled, instructed to label and maintain.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: Using deli cups as a scoop for food at front prep kitchen, instructed to use proper scoops.; WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: Found multiple drain hoses coming from air conditioner units draining in 3-comp sink, Instructed manager not to use utensils washing sink to drain AC water. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-025.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: Meat slicer not clean behind blade, food debris noted, Instructed to clean and maintain.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: Standing water noted on floor around large dough mixer, instructed to eliminate stagnant water in kitchen.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: Employees personal items ( purse ) stored on food shelf in kitchen, Instructed to keep away.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT THE HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, TOILET ROOMS AND BY THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS STAINED WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GROOVES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE CUTTING BOARDS OR REPLACE.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12 OBSERVED DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-202.15 OBSERVED THE FRONT ENTRANCE AND SIDE DOORS WITH A ONE INCH GAP IN BETWEEN THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOORS AND UNDER THE SIDE DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE SAID DOORS TIGHT FITTING AND RODENT PROOFED.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: 3-305.11 OBSERVED SOME DRY STORAGE UNDER WASTE WATER PIPES LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL STORAGE FROM UNDER WASTE WATER PIPES IN ORDER TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-101.17 OBSERVED RAW WOOD BOARDS LOCATED INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER, MANAGER STATES THE RAW WOOD BOARDS ARE USED TO MAKE THE BAGELS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RAW WOOD BOARDS, ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS INSIDE OF THE FRYERS AND IN BETWEEN COOKING EQUIPMENT. OBSERVED RAW MEAT ON THE HANDLES OF THE REFRIGERATION UNITS AND EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATED DUST DEBRIS ON THE SIDE OF THE PIZZA OVEN AS WELL AS ON THE VENTS LOCATED ABOVE THE SODA DISPENSING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL..
Why are these violations concerning?
Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness. Improper storage can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods. Storing food at incorrect temperatures accelerates spoilage and pathogen growth. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.