La Pena
4104 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
Restaurant ZIP 60639 Risk 1 (High)
Out of business · as of Apr 15, 2026
La Pena was last inspected on April 15, 2026 with a result of “Out of Business”. Inspectors found no violations.
Latest inspection
April 15, 2026 · Canvass
Result: Out of Business
No violationsThe inspector found this business closed.
No violations were recorded at this inspection.
Inspection history
22 inspections on record
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Pass
Short Form Complaint · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 5-203.13 observed no service sink on site. Must install service sink with hot and cold running water and necessary back flow prevention device. Install and maintain.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed no service sink on site. Must install service sink with hot and cold running water and necessary back flow prevention device. Install and maintain.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
3 general1 paperwork Show violations
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed appoximately 100 rodent droppings throughout kitchen and bar area along walls and under and behind coolers and cooking equipment. Remove all rodent droppings and clean and sanitize all affected areas. Contact pest control. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020 (a)
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed no service sink on site. Must install service sink with hot and cold running water and necessary back flow prevention device. Install and maintain.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed floors in disrepair in bar and in kitchen. Must close all holes and points of entry for rodents. Repair all areas of floor and restore to a smooth easily cleanable condition and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Oserved facility without a original city of chicago food service sanitation certificate onsite. Informed person in charge city of chicago original food service certificate must be posted along with the certified manager on site when time and temperature control for safety(tcs) foods are stored. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
7 critical9 general3 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.
Inspector’s note: Observed no verifiable employee health policy on site at time of inspection. Left template and instructed to maintain copies of verifiable health policy signed by all employees on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: Observed no kit and procedure on site for responding to vomit and diarrhea at time of inspection. Instructed to maintain kit containing all necessary supplies including a sanitizer rated as effective against norovirus on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 5)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed no hand soap available at handsink in throughout facility. Instructed to provide handsoap at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030 (c) citation issued
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed no paper towels at exposed hand washing sink throughout facility. Instructed to maintain paper towels at all exposed hand washing sinks at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Citation combined with above violation.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE TO THE FOOD PREP AREA AND THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS ACCESSIBLE TO THE FRONT SERVICE LINE AREA.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c).
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed exposed hand washing sink in dishwashing area rendered inaccessible by water hose being placed inside it. Instructed to maintain all exposed hand washing sinks open and accessible for hand washing. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Citation combined with above.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Observed no sanitizer on site for sanitizing dishes at time of inspection. Instructed to provide and maintain sanitizer on site at all times. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Observed no food temperature measuring device on site. Instd to provide and maintain on site. Priority foundation 7-38-005.citation issued
Official wording (code 36)
Thermometers provided & accurate
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Observed items out of the original containers and in containers without labels containing the product name. Instructed to label all foods and spices with common name that are out of the original containers.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed no current pest control logbook on site at time of inspection. Must provide contract, logbook and recent pest control service. Priority foundation 7-38-020(c)
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in basement prep area. Instructed manager to elevate all food six inches off floor.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed torn gasket in the cooler. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed residue on interior surfaces of ice machine. Instructed manager to clean and maintain
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacles inside of womens toilet rooms. Instructed to provide.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floors along walls and corners in utility and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed the hood ventilation filters with a build up of dust and grease. Instructed to clean and maintain as a means of helping prevent possible contamination of foods being prepared as it sits over a cold prep station.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Observed facility without a valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate posted onsite for food employees. Informed person in charge city of chicago original food service certificate must be posted along with the certified manager on site when time and temperature control for safety(tcs) foods are stored. Priority foundation violation #7-38-012. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers training provided. Instructed to provide for all employees who handle food items.
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager with an allergen training certificate. Instructed to provide for all certified food managers.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
1 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed the certified food manager without an allergen training certificate. Management instructed that all certified food managers must show proof of training.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
3 general1 paperwork Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no chemical test strips on the premises to measure the sanitizer at the 3 compartment sink. Management instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 48)
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Clean the grease on the wall behind the cooking equipment.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Clean the grease and soot on the ventilation hood and filters.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed the certified food manager without an allergen training certificate. Management instructed that all certified food managers must show proof of training.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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Conditional
Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions
5 critical5 general Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.
Inspector’s note: Observed no written employee health policy on the premises. Management instructed to have a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: Observed no clean up procedures and supplies on the premises for vomit and diarrheal events. Management instructed to provide procedure and supplies. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 5)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing sink at the front food preparation area that is convenient to use. Management instructed to install an additional exposed hand washing sink that is supplied with hot and cold running water soap and paper towels. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-030(c)no citation issued.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signs near hand washing sinks in bathrooms. Must provide.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalFood temperature
Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly label and date ready to eat tcs foods held over 24 hours inside coolers. Must identify product shelf life or consume by dating (7days from preparation date). Priority foundation violation. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 23)
Proper date marking and disposition
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GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Visible and working thermometer needed in 2-door prep cooler. Must provide.
Official wording (code 36)
Thermometers provided & accurate
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GeneralFood handling
In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoops stored on top of ice machine. Must properly store ice scoops in a clean container to prevent contamination.
Official wording (code 43)
In-use utensils: properly stored
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Backflow preventer device not located behind behind ice machine. Instructed to install so that can be located to be serviced and maintained.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no covered waste receptacle provided in the women's washroom. Must provide and maintain.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed clutter and unnecessary items in kitchen food preparation area and basement dry storage are. Must remove clutter and unnecessary items to prevent rodent harborage
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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No Entry
Complaint · No Entry
No violations
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Closed
Canvass · Out of Business
The inspector found this business closed.
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Observed minor calcium build up inside ice machine in kitchen. Instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain. Observed food debris and spills inside freezer and cooler in kitchen. Instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Observed damaged wall with hold on baseboard under the bar table inside bar area. Instructed to repair/seal and maintain. Observed accumulated dirt and debris on floor at corners and floor along the wall and bar countertop. Instructed to clean and maintain. Observed dust build up inside walk-in cooler which is not being used in basement. Instructed to clean and maintain said walk-in cooler in good condition.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Observed low water pressure at washbowl in women's toilet room. Instructed to increase and maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Observed unnecessary articles on floor at corners next to audio/tv and dining tables and in basement. Instructed to remove, elevate unnecessary articles 6-inch off the floor and better organitize to prevent pest activity.
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No Entry
Canvass · No Entry
No violations
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
10 general Show violations
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector’s note: Observed food not protected during storage inside of ice machine.observed 10 bottles of beer stored down inside of ice machine .the ice is used also for human consumption.instructed to remove ice and bottles of beer,clean and sanitize ice machine and maintain.(serious 7-38-005a)
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of appx. 75 or more rodent droppings in various areas such as on floor along wall bases of stove,reach in coolers and freezers,3- comp sink drain board and under & on lower shelves of prep tables,inside of fryer cabinet,on wood ledge under 3- comp bar sink,on floor in dj booth.also appx."3/4" gap along bottom of front door.must remove droppings,clean and sanitize areas.rodent proof door to be tight fitting.recommended to have a pest control operator to service premises on or after 1/30/17.(serious 7-38-020)
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed
Inspector’s note: Observed hand sinks in customers toiletrooms not maintained.observed no hot running water at hand sink in men's and women's toiletroom.must provide hot and cold running water under city pressure at all times.must repair and maintain.(serious 7-38-030)
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector’s note: Must invert multiuse utensils on shelving units in dish washing area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must remove foil from shelving units in glass reach in cooler in prep area and rust from shelving units in 4- door reach in cooler.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Must clean grease and food debri from fryer cabinet,microwave,prep tables,all prep and reach in coolers,grill table,interior basin of 3- comp sinks in prep and bar area,exterior of ice machine.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Must clean food debri from floor under ,around,along wall bases in prep and bar area.must repair or replace hole in floor and missing floor tile under table in rear seating area
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace missing wall tiles in women's stall toiletroom.must clean food debri from walls in prep and dish washing area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must provide sink stoppers for bar 3- comp sink.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Must elevate,remove and organize articles off of floor and away from walls in prep area and prep tables.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Observed the interior of the 4 door cooler not clean, instructed to clean.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Observed the floor under and around cooking equipment not clean, instructed to clean.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Observed the wall not clean behind the cooking area, instructed to clean.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food handler requirements met
Inspector’s note: Observed no food handler certificates on premises at this time, instructed to provide. Given copy of idph's food handler info. At this time.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
5 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Found racks inside reach in coolers rusty. Must replace or repair.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Found floors not clean at basement. Must clean and sanitize.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Found missing ceiling tiles by dishwashing areas and bar. Must replace.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Found no exposed hand sink at bar areas. Must install. Found no backflow prevention device at mop sink. Must provide.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Found clutter at basement that must be removed. Old equipment, boxes, etc.)
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More in ZIP 60639
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 7 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.