CHICAGO, IL - Multiple violations were discovered at Cottage Fuel during a health inspection on 08/04/2025.
The establishment operates from 7560 S Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago Illinois in Greater Grand Crossing, a busy area of Chicago known for its dining scene.
The inspection details: "1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties - comments: observed no person in charge with valid chicago food sanitation certificate. Observed no chicago food sanitation manager on site when TCS food (ground beef 180." These circumstances require correction according to industry standards.
The inspection identified violations related to hand washing, an important area of food safety.
Restaurant industry standards emphasize hand washing as fundamental to food safety protocols Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that Federal guidelines require food service workers to wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds using soap and warm water. The CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
Among the findings were infractions involving pest control, a key component of food safety protocols.
Health experts emphasize that pest activity can rapidly contaminate food preparation surfaces and stored ingredients Data compiled by food safety institutions reveals that Federal food safety regulations require all food service establishments to maintain comprehensive pest exclusion programs. Per FDA Pest Control Guidelines, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving sanitation, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive sanitation practices. Studies from public health organizations show that The FDA Food Code establishes comprehensive sanitation requirements that form the foundation of safe food service operations. The Food Safety Modernization Act offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving temperature control, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Professional food safety experts consider temperature monitoring essential for preventing foodborne illness According to FDA Temperature Safety Guidelines, Maintaining proper food temperatures is the most effective method for preventing bacterial growth and foodborne illness. This regulatory framework ensures that food service establishments meet rigorous safety standards.
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.
Under current regulations, Cottage Fuel faces additional penalties if violations are not promptly corrected. The health department maintains detailed records of all inspection results for public transparency.
Regular health inspections serve as critical safeguards for public health in Chicago's dining landscape. Transparency in reporting inspection findings ensures that community members can make informed decisions about their dining options.
| Inspection ID | 2621645 |
| DBA Name | COTTAGE FUEL |
| AKA Name | COTTAGE FUEL |
| License # | 2957230 |
| Facility Type | Grocery Store |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 7560 S COTTAGE GROVE AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60619 |
| Inspection Date | 08/04/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT |
| AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments | OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION | 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TCS FOOD (GROUND BEEF 180.2F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED | 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES AND SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED | 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHNG SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES. | 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. | 38. INSECTS |
| & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments | OBSERVED 1/4" GAP UNDER FRONT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. | 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION |
| STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments | OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR. | 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDER OVEN AND RAW WOOD SHELVING IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. | 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments | OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED | 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | OBSERED DUST BUILDUP ON VENTILATION FAN INSIDE WASHROOM AND DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP |
| Latitude | 41.75684589850627 |
| Longitude | -87.60549463695976 |
| Location | (41.75684589850627 |
This inspection was conducted on August 4, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: hand-washing, pest-control, sanitation, 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.
