CHICAGO, IL - SPOON THAI received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 04/17/2023.
The facility operates from 4608 N WESTERN AVE in North Center, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation involved cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: 4-601.11(c) Observed Heavy Grease Build Up Around Cooking Equipment in Griddle and Fryer Area. Instructed Manager to Clean and Maintain All Cooking Equipment and Surrounding Equipment Including Hoods.. 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. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
The second violation concerned sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: 4-602.13 Observed Soiled Grease Trap on Floor in Griddle Area. Instructed Manager to Clean.. 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. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
The third violation concerned sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: 6-501.11 Observed Holes in Ceiling in Garage Area. Instructed Manager to Seal All Holes in Ceiling.. 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. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The fourth violation related to cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: 6-501.13 Observed Grease and Debris Build Up on Floors Around Kitchen Equipment Including Coolers, Griddle and Fryer. Instructed Manager to Clean.. 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. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
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 04/17/2023 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: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN GRIDDLE AND FRYER AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT INCLUDING HOODS.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-602.13 OBSERVED SOILED GREASE TRAP ON FLOOR IN GRIDDLE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.11 OBSERVED HOLES IN CEILING IN GARAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL HOLES IN CEILING.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.13 OBSERVED GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOORS AROUND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT INCLUDING COOLERS, GRIDDLE AND FRYER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED VARIOUS TCS FOODS HELD AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 44F-50F. FOOD VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED BY OWNER. BASIL EGG ROLL $40 2LBS, SHUMAI $40 10LBS, TOFU $3 1 LB, SOUP $15 1/2 GALLON, POT STICKER $20 2LBS, BROWN RICE $6 3LBS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD FOOD IS HELD AT A TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005; PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED COOLER WITH AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 46F. FOOD BEING HELD IN COOLER DISCARDED. COOLER HAS BEEN TAGGED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COOLERS HOLD AN INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED VARIOUS CONDIMENTS IN GRILL AREA WITH NO LABELS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL FOOD AND CONDIMENTS WITH COMMON NAME AND DISCARD BY DATE.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD STORED BENEATH TUB WITH NON POTABLE WATER DRIPPING FROM CONDENSER UNIT IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MOVE FOOD FROM BENEATH TUB AND REPAIR CONDENSER UNIT.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED GREASE TRAP ON FLOOR IN GRIDDLE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN GRIDDLE AND FRYER AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT INCLUDING HOODS.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK FROM PIPING UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN WATER IS DRAINED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED BASE COVING UNDERNEATH HAND WASHING SINKS IN MEN AND WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HOLES IN CEILING IN GARAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL HOLES IN CEILING.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN MEN AND WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL PIECES OF UN-UTIILIZED EQUIPMENT INCLUDING OLD FRYERS AND OLD FREEZER CHEST. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ITEMS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL ITEMS PLACED ON FLOOR IN FACILITY INCLUDING POTS, PANS, & BOXES OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO KEEP ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOORS AROUND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT INCLUDING COOLERS, GRIDDLE AND FRYER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED LOW LIGHTING INTENSITY IN GARAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTS IN WOMEN AND MEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN SPECIFIED TIMEFRAME. REPORT # 2561305 DATED JULY 26TH 2022 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPAINT OR REPLACE RUSTY RACKS IN COOLER AND TO REPLACE EXPIRED FOOD ALLEREGEN CERTIFICATES. OBSERVED RUSTY RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER; OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ADDRESS ALL PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED..
Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
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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