CHICAGO, IL - City health officials cited Shanghai Inn Restaurant for health violations during an inspection on 08/07/2025.
Shanghai Inn Restaurant is positioned at 4723 N Damen Avenue Chicago Illinois in the Ravenswood area, drawing neighborhood patrons and tourists.
According to inspection records: "3-302. Noted approximately 80 lbs cooked TCS foods such as chicken with an expiration date of 8/4/24 inside the walk-in cooler." This type of violation requires correction to maintain food safety standards.
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 The FDA Food Code mandates that food storage areas remain free from pest contamination at all times. Per FDA Pest Control Guidelines, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
Among the findings were infractions involving sanitation, a key component of food safety protocols.
Public health authorities continually highlight the fundamental significance of comprehensive sanitation practices. Studies from public health organizations show that Proper sanitation practices prevent cross-contamination and maintain the integrity of food preparation environments. The FDA Sanitation Standards offers detailed requirements for maintaining compliance.
The inspection found infractions involving temperature control, a fundamental aspect of food service operations.
Food safety professionals regularly stress the essential nature of adequate temperature control procedures. As outlined in HACCP Temperature Monitoring, Temperature abuse remains the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings. These federal guidelines guarantee that restaurants adhere to strict health requirements.
In addition to regulatory requirements, these issues may affect the business's standing and public trust. Community health organizations track health department findings to provide education to local residents.
Under current regulations, Shanghai Inn Restaurant faces additional penalties if violations are not promptly corrected. The health department maintains detailed records of all inspection results for public transparency.
The broader restaurant industry can learn valuable lessons from such cases, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance to food safety standards. Consumer awareness remains a crucial component in maintaining community food safety.
| Inspection ID | 2621916 |
| DBA Name | SHANGHAI INN RESTAURANT |
| AKA Name | SHANGHAI INN RESTAURANT |
| License # | 2754111 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 4723 N DAMEN AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60625 |
| Inspection Date | 08/07/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Canvass Re-Inspection |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 15. FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: 3-302.11 (A:3-8) (B)--- ALL FOODS THROUGHOUT COOLER AND FREEZER MUST BE PROPERLY PROTECTED |
| WRAPPED. | 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments | NOTED APPROXIMATELY 80 LBS COOKED TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF 8/4/24 INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. BUSINESS HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 7/29/25 INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS INSIDE THE COOLER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. | 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: 3-304.12--- ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER BETWEEN USE.---NOTED FOOD ENCRUSTED TABLE TOP CAN OPENER. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE. | 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: : 4-903.11(A;C)--- ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE FRONT DINING ROOM SERVER STATION MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | 4-101.19--- MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER STORAGE. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING AT ALL TIMES. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(B)--- SOME COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT STILL WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS.----INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS THROUGHOUT WITH FOOD DEBRIS.----EXTERIOR OF ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS INCLUDING BUS PANS USED FOR FOOD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-602.13--- MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT OR STRING AS SHELVING GUARDS. PROVIDE A EASILY CLEANABLE NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. | 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-204.12-- NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED ON THE ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTER ON THE MACHINE OR VERIFY THAT THE METAL DEVICE ON THE REAR OF THE MACHINE IS AN ACTUAL BACKFLOW PREVENTER. | 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | MOLDY WALL CAULKING HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK LEAVING OPEN GAPS AND CREVICES IN THE WALL. MUST SMOOTHLY SEAL. |
| Latitude | 41.96761495890106 |
| Longitude | -87.67900579440833 |
| Location | (41.96761495890106 |
This inspection was conducted on August 7, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: 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.
