The Sit Down
1312 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
Restaurant ZIP 60615 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Aug 11, 2026
The Sit Down was last inspected on August 11, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
August 11, 2026 · Canvass
Result: Pass
2 general-
GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed a 1/4" gap at the bottom of the rear exit door. Must provide a tight-fitting seal at all outer openings to prevent the entry of pests.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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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 door gasket inside of the 2-door prep cooler and two door refrigerator. Instructed to replace.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspection history
19 inspections on record
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must clean the interior of the deep freezers in the rear storage area to remove debris.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Floors need cleaning in the following areas to remove spills, debris and/or grease: front kitchen behind cooking equipment and the rear walk in coolers.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed the interior top and bottom of the prep cooler in the waitress station area dirty. Must clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed a few ceiling tile in the dining area in poor (water damage). Must replace and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 critical1 general Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Interior of ice bin in need of cleaning to remove small amount of build up. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Walls at oven in need of cleaning to remove some food splatter and build up. Instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 critical Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide handwash signage in customer washrooms.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical Show violations
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CriticalFood source
Required records (shellfish tags, parasite-destruction logs) were missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed no freezing records for parasite destruction for raw, partially cooked, or marinated-partially cooked fish served in ready to eat form. Instructed manager to provide and maintain. Priority 7-38-005
Official wording (code 14)
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
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CriticalFood handling
Specialized processes (curing, vacuum-packing, etc.) didn’t follow the approved plan.
Inspector’s note: Observed no updated letter(2013) for ph of sushi rice. Instructed manager to provide and maintain lab analysis letter within 5 years. Priority foundation 7-38-005
Official wording (code 29)
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical1 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 policy in place for employee health. Must provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Hand wash sink must be properly equipped and conveniently located for employee use in smoothie prep area. Must provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Clean floor in prep area of food spills and other debris.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector’s note: Label all bulk containers in rear storage area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Provide access to open window in rear employee washroom.
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Pass
Complaint · Pass
3 general Show violations
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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: Properly store knives at front prep area in knife rack.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Clean/sanitize interior bottom of 3-dr refrigerator at front of food debris.
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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: Clean floor along wallbase and at corners in front prep area and at rear.
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical6 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperature of table top sushi prep cooler at 44.4f with raw ready to eat foods stored inside.must have cold holding unit at 40.0f or below.manager adjusted thermostat after inspection now air temperature is 38.5f.(critical 7-38-005a)
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of raw assorted ready to eat foods stored inside of above mention cooler such as 10 oz. Tuna 44.3f,8oz. Tuna 44.3f,12oz. Tuna 43.3f,10 oz. Tuna 45.6f,8oz. Tuna 44.6f. 8 oz. Salmon 43.2f,3 oz. Soy salmon 45.4f,12 oz. Mackrel 44.4f.product was dumped and denatured by manager.must have cold holding at 40.0f or below.appx 3.81 lbs. $208. (critical 7-38-005a)
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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 plastic wear properly.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must remove rust from lower shelves of all prep tables in prep & dish washing areas.must repair or replace worn door gasket on 1- door prep 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 food debri from counter tops underneath table top sushi prep coolers,meat slicer,wine rack.
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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 all floor drains.
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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 broken grout at front brick window sills in dining area,stained ceiling tiles in rear area,damaged walls at rear door and cracked wall in staff toiletroom,threshold at front door.must scrape and paint peeling paint on ceiling in mopsink area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food handler requirements met
Inspector’s note: Idph food handlers requirements not met by recent hire.must enroll and maintain.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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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 some floor tile in poor repair in rear storage room; replace.
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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 some areas of the lower wall base in poor repair; repair where needed.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector’s note: Label bulk container with rice in pantry.
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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: Wipe walls around/behind dishmachine.
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical3 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector’s note: Potentially hazardous food at improper temperatures. Noted 5lbs of cooked rice at 95.5 degrees f. Must maintain at 40 degrees f and below or 140 degrees f and above. Critical citation issued 7-38-005a
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must paint the top of the grease trap and remove rust spots.
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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 detail clean walls behind prep tables,under 3 compartment sink and behind dish machine in rear dishwashing area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Remove all unnecessary items and better organize clutter in rear attached garage. Store all items 6 inches off the floor.
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
4 general Show violations
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed
Inspector’s note: No hot water in men washroom. Instructed manager to provide hot water for proper hand washing. Serious violation 7-38-030 citation issued h78161.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector’s note: Label all bulk containers.
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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: Invert all single service articles to protect from contamination.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Clean interior and exterior of beverage machines and nozzles.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 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 rusty shelves/shelving unit across of 3compartment sink.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector’s note: Found employee restroom door not self closing.
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Pass
Suspected Food Poisoning · Pass
5 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector’s note: Label large clear and white containers in dry storage room
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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: Invert all clean multiuse containers during storage.
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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: Detail clean corners in dry storage room
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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: Vent covers in rear above dish machine starting to rust, paint same.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: Detail clean all light shields throughout.
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More in ZIP 60615
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 3 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.