CHICAGO, IL - A scheduled inspection at Delicious Pho, Inc.. on 07/29/2025 documented several health code infractions.
The popular restaurant is located at 5033 N Elston Avenue Chicago Illinois in Chicago's Portage Park district, serving local residents and visitors.
According to inspection records: "No soap provided at hand washing sink at front and rear prep area. No paper towels provided at handwashing sinks." This type of violation requires correction to maintain food safety standards.
Among the findings were infractions involving sanitation, a key component of food safety protocols.
Food safety experts emphasize that consistent sanitation practices prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria According to FDA Sanitation Standards, Federal regulators use FDA sanitation guidelines as the benchmark for evaluating food service establishment compliance. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
The inspection found infractions involving pest control, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Food safety professionals regularly stress the essential nature of adequate pest control procedures. As outlined in FDA Food Code Standards, Effective pest control is considered a critical control point in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks. These federal guidelines guarantee that restaurants adhere to strict health requirements.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving hand washing, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Public health officials identify poor hand hygiene as a primary factor in foodborne illness transmission Data compiled by food safety institutions reveals that The CDC emphasizes that inadequate hand washing contributes to approximately 89% of foodborne illness outbreaks. Per CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
The inspection identified violations related to temperature control, an important area of food safety.
Temperature control violations pose immediate risks to public health and food safety Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that The FDA requires continuous temperature monitoring for all potentially hazardous foods in commercial kitchens. The HACCP Temperature Monitoring provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
Beyond regulatory requirements, such infractions may affect the restaurant's standing and customer relationships. Local food safety organizations monitor inspection results to provide information to the public.
Health department officials will conduct a comprehensive re-inspection to ensure that all violations have been properly addressed. The establishment must demonstrate full compliance before the matter can be considered resolved.
This incident highlights the critical importance of rigorous food safety protocols in commercial food service. Local residents are encouraged to review public inspection records when making dining decisions.
| Inspection ID | 2621488 |
| DBA Name | DELICIOUS PHO |
| AKA Name | DELICIOUS PHO |
| License # | 2695007 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 5033 N ELSTON AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60630 |
| Inspection Date | 07/29/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint |
| Results | Pass w/ Conditions |
| Violations | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO SOAP PROVIDED AT HAND WASHING SINK AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA.ALSO NO SOAP PROVIVED AT HAND WASHING SINK AT MEN'S WASHROOM |
| EMPTY BOTTLE(FRENCH LAVENDER)STORED INSIDE THE WASHBOWL.UPON MY REQUEST SOAP BOTTLE REFILLED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION | 7-38-030(C) |
| CITATION ISSUED. | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments | NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINKS. HANDDRYING DEVICE BY THE SINK AT REAR PREP AREA WAS UNPLUGGED. PAPER TOWEL PROVIDED AT SAID SINK AND HANDDRYING DEVICE WAS PLUGGED IN UPON MY REQUEST. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-030(C)CONSOLIDATE WITH ABOVE VIOLATION. | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR HANDWASHING IN FRONT CHAIRS PLASTIC CONTAINERS AND DRY FOODS STORED IN CONTAINER |
| TO MINIMIZE SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION.ITEMS REMOVED BY THE MANAGER PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION | 7-38-030(C)CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION | 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED. MUST PROPERLY DATE LABELED FOODS WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS ON ALL TCS FOODS(COOKED BEEF |
| ETC).MANAGER ALMOST FINISHED TO LABEL FOOD PRODUCTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION | 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP CUTS |
| MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARDS | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments | MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING IN PREP AREA. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE SURFACE. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE ALUMINUM FOIL AS LINER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVE WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MINERAL BUILD-UP INSIDE THE LOW TEMP DISHMACHINE. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN | 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | OBSERVED ALL FLOORS IN FRONT SERVICE AREA UNDER ICE MACHINE AND FLOOR DRAINS UNCLEAN. CLEAN IN DETAIL IN CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS TO ELIMINATE GRIME BUILDUP. OBSERVED FLOORS IN REAR UNDER DISH MACHINE UNCLEAN AND FLOOR DRAIN UNCLEAN. OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT UNCLEAN. CLEAN ALL FLOORS IN DETAIL AND ALL FLOOR DRAINS IN DETAIL. MAINTAIN FLOORS IN A CLEAN AND DRY CONDITION. | 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE |
| Latitude | 41.97234928256036 |
| Longitude | -87.74682508578468 |
| Location | (41.97234928256036 |
This inspection was conducted on July 29, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: sanitation, pest-control, hand-washing, temperature-control.
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
All inspection data for this report is sourced directly from the Chicago Department of Public Health . View the original data source .
Food safety standards referenced in this report are based on:
Important Note: This article is based on official inspection reports at the time of inspection. Current conditions may differ. Always check the most recent inspection results before dining. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
