CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at SEE THRU CHINESE RESTAURANT during a routine inspection conducted on 08/12/2025.
The facility operates from 5609 W DIVISION ST in West Humboldt Park, 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. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation concerned handwashing procedures. Inspectors documented: Food-contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized - Comments: Observed Improper Dishwashing at the Three-compartment Sink. Employee Washing Dishes at the Three-compartment Sink Without Setting It Up to Wash, Rinse, and Sanitize As Required By the Code. None of the Basins Was Set Up for Dishwashing. Instructed Management Always to Set Up the Sink When Washing Equipment. Manager Immediately Had Employee Set Up the Three-compartment Sink to Wash, Rinse, and Sanitize Using the Chlorine. Priority Violation 7-38-005, 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 related to food temperatures. Inspectors documented: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures - Comments: Observed Improper Cold Holding Temperatures of Tcs Foods. Found Inside the Walk-in Cooler: 3 Containers and a Bowl of Raw Chicken (55.4f-70.1f), a Container of Shrimp (61.2f). Found Inside the Prep Cooler: Tomato Wedges (51.9�f). Instructed Must Have Cold Holding Foods at 41.0�f or Below. Approximately 59lbs at $165 Worth of Product Discarded. Priority 7-38-005, Citation Issued. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks.
The third violation involved storage procedures. Inspectors documented: Food Properly Labeled. Chemical contamination from improper storage can cause acute poisoning.
The fourth violation concerned food storage. Inspectors documented: Original Container - Comments: Observed. Chemical contamination from improper storage can cause acute poisoning.
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 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: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER DISHWASHING AT THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. EMPLOYEE WASHING DISHES AT THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT SETTING IT UP TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE. NONE OF THE BASINS WAS SET UP FOR DISHWASHING. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT ALWAYS TO SET UP THE SINK WHEN WASHING EQUIPMENT. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEE SET UP THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE USING THE CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED; PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER: 3 CONTAINERS AND A BOWL OF RAW CHICKEN (55.4F-70.1F), A CONTAINER OF SHRIMP (61.2F). FOUND INSIDE THE PREP COOLER: TOMATO WEDGES (51.9�F). INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0�F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 59LBS AT $165 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF DEEP CLEANING: THE LOWER SHELVES UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES, THE OUTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE COLD HOLDING UNITS, THE CARTS WITH WHEELS BEING USED TO HOLD FOOD ITEMS, AND THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. ALL MENTIONED SURFACES FOUND WITH SEVERE GREASE AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE TOILET ROOM CLUTTERED WITH COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER AND MAINTAIN.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST TAKE FOOD HANDLER COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-102.11 OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IN THE WALK IN FREEZER BEING STORED IMPROPERLY IN GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE BAGS/CONTAINERS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.16 OBSERVED MOP BEING STORED/DRYING IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-501.14 OBSERVED DIRTY OVERHEAD VENTS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: 2-102.13 OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED BOX OF CHICKEN WINGS STORED IMPROPERLY ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY; SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.; PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IN THE WALK IN FREEZER BEING STORED IMPROPERLY IN GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE BAGS/CONTAINERS.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER WITH LIDS NOT ABLE TO CLOSE DUE OVERLOADED WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTERS/DEBRIS ON THE WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS AND FLOUR RESIDUE ON THE FLOOR IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MOP BEING STORED/DRYING IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DIRTY OVERHEAD VENTS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AT THE VENT HOOD IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AT THE GRILL AND FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER OIL FILTERING UNIT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO REMOVE SPILLS, GREASE, DUST AND DEBRIS: EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, DRY STORAGE CONTAINER AND DOORS TO ALL COOLER, PREP TABLES, COUNTER TOPS, DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING, INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THE REAR GARBAGE AREA NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND BOXES. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE AREA AROUND THE DUMPSTER TO PREVENT HARBORAGE FOR PESTS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED WALLS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT, GREASE, DEBRIS AND FOOD SPLATTER UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING AND NO COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND INSECT HARBORING.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESS CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN THE EMPLOYEE RESTROOM IN THE REAR OF THE KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEAN ALL CLUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN AREAS AT ALL TIMES.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DUST ON THE FAN VENT IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND THE VENTS OUTSIDE OF THE HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF THE FOOD AND FOOD CONTACT SURFACES WHILE COOKING AND PREPARING FOODS.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED ONE BURNT OUT LIGHT ON THE MAIN PREP LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks. Chemical contamination from improper storage can cause acute poisoning. Chemical contamination from improper storage can cause acute poisoning.
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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