CHICAGO, IL - CHEZ JOEL received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 08/12/2025.
Situated at 1119 W TAYLOR ST, the establishment is part of University Village's active food service sector. The University Village area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 2 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation concerned hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed 3 Live Cockroaches on the Wall of the Basement Food Prep Area Around the Exposed Hand Washing Sink. Additional Pest Control Service Is Needed to Eliminate the Pest Activity. Priority Foundation Violation 7-38-020(a). Citation Issued.. 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. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.
The second violation involved sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: 4-602.13 Clean the Interior of the Deep Fryer and Ovens.. 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. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/12/2025 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: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 3 LIVE COCKROACHES ON THE WALL OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA AROUND THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER AND OVENS.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NOTED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (PASTA). THE INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CONTENTS' NAMES.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDE FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.; PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOODS (COOKED CHICKEN, COOKED DUCK, COOKED VEGETABLES, AND PREPARED ONION SOUP) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATES FOR ANY PREPARED TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. FOOD DISCARDED.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY ICE BUILD-UP AND OTHER DEBRIS INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZERS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. MUST DEFROST, REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED PLASTIC TAPE WRAPPED AROUND THE FLOOR DRAIN BENEATH THE SPRAYER ARM SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE PLASTIC AND PROVIDE CLEANABLE FIXTURES ONLY..
The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
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.
View all health inspections, pass rates, and violation history for CHEZ JOEL
View Business Profile →