1st Hunan Spring
5279 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Restaurant ZIP 60630 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Nov 5, 2025
1st Hunan Spring was last inspected on November 5, 2025 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations.
Latest inspection
November 5, 2025 · Canvass
Result: Pass
2 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated food debris on interior/exterior of all sinks. Instructed manager must clean interior/exterior of all sinks and maintain.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Handwash sink pipe draining slowly also 3-compartment sink middle compartment pipe leaking. Instructed manager handwash sink must drain quickly and repair leak at 3-compartment sink.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspection history
16 inspections on record
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
3 general Show violations
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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 and loose gasket on door of walk-in cooler repaired with duct tape. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed heavy build up of grease, grime, and food debris on interior of fryer cabinets and floor underneath cook line. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed heavy build up of grease and debris on filters in hood over cook line. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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No Entry
Canvass · No Entry
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical4 general Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed the following tcs items held at the stated improper temperatures inside 2 door prep cooler: chicken at 46.7f, beef at 48.5f, and beef at 46.2f. Management discarded approximately 10lbs of product valued at approximately $30. Instructed to maintain all cold tcs items at or below 41f at all times. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
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CriticalFood temperature
Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.
Inspector’s note: Observed 2 door prep cooler containing tcs items, such as chicken and beef, maintaining an improper ambient temperature of 49.6f. Cooler tagged and held for inspection. Instructed to repair cooler so that it maintains an ambient temperature at or below 41f. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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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 and loose gasket on door of walk-in cooler repaired with duct tape. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed heavy build up of grease, grime, and food debris on interior of fryer cabinets and floor underneath cook line. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed heavy build up of grease and debris on filters in hood over cook line. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed heavy build up of dust on ceiling panels in customer area and on top of white refrigerator behind counter. Instructed to clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralHygiene & sanitation
Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed one food handler not wearing hair restraint. Instructed manager all food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.
Official wording (code 40)
Personal cleanliness
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated food debris inside 2-door prep reach in cooler. Must clean and maintain cooler.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed prep area handwash sink pipe leaking. Must repair and maintain said sink.
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 accumulated food debris on walls behind/around 3-compartment sink. Must clean walls and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
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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 cardboard used as liner on shelving units in prep area. Instructed manager to remove all cardboard from shelving units. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed dirty floors with food debris/spills throughout kitchen preparation area. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed vent covers above grill with dust accumulation . Instructed to remove dust and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
5 general1 paperwork Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed aluminium foil used to line sides of white refrigerator and fryers in prep area. Instructed to discard and use only smooth, cleanable materials in commercial kitchen.
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 and dirty gasket on interior of white refrigerator. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no covered trash receptacle in all gender employee toilet room. 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 heavy build up of grease, grime, and food debris inside microwave, underneath main cook line, inside fryer cabinets, and on floors near 3 compartment sink. Instructed to detail 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 build up of dust on fan in walk-in cooler. Instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: Observed one employee with expired food handler training. Instructed to renew food handler training and maintain records thereof on site.
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
3 critical10 general1 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: Found no employee health policy/training on site. Instructed to provide. 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: Found no procedure/plan for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed to provide and maintain appropriate supplies or kit. 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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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 (7 days from preparation date). Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued
Official wording (code 23)
Proper date marking and disposition
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly label food storage bin/container in prep/storage area.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to transfer food products from an open original can container into food grade container for proper food storage.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFood handling
Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly store wiping cloth in a bucket with sanitizing solution.
Official wording (code 41)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
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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: Instructed to detail clean and maintain interior surfaces of prep cooler with dried food debris accumulation, storage racks inside walk-in cooler, prep table and shelves.
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: Instructed to detail clean and maintain exterior surfaces of cooking equipment with grease and dried food debris accumulation.
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: Instructed to replace broken self closing device at washroom door in rear area.
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: Instructed to detail clean and maintain floors along the walls and in all corners in prep and in rear storage area. Must clean walls with grease build-up around prep area.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain light shields with dust and dead insects above prep and dining area.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean, remove unnecessary articles and clutter stored behind front counter shelves and in rear storage area. Usable items (food and non food) must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning. No milk crates. Must reorganize.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain kitchen hood and filters with grease accumulation above cooking equipment.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Found no approved allergen training in accordance with pa 100-0367 on site. Instructed any person with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate to comply with allergen training.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
6 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: Instructed not to use grocery bags for food storage inside coolers and freezers. Must use food grade storage bags.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain the following equipment with excessive grease, dried food debris and dust accumulation: interior and exterior of refrigerator, freezer, walk-in cooler, storage racks with mold like build-up inside walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, storage shelves and racks throughout, underneath prep table and shelves,
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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 and maintain kitchen hood and filters with excessive grease and dust accumulation, light shields with dust, grease and dead insects above front dining and above rear prep/cooking area, condenser fan cover inside walk-in cooler with excessive dust.
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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: Instructed to repair or replace broken self closing device at washroom door.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible and accurate inside all coolers (prep coolers, refrigerator, walk-in cooler etc.).
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: : instructed to clean and reorganize rear prep/storage area. Usable items (food and non food) must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning. Must remove unnecessary articles stored in rear storage and behind front counter storage shelves to prevent pest harborage.--------all cleaning equipment (mop, broom etc) must be stored off the floor.
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
1 critical6 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector’s note: Found exposed hand sink in prep/cooking area not properly maintained. Exposed hand sink clogged and leaking underneath drainpipe. Instructed to repair (must temporarily use washroom hand sink for employee hand washing). Issued 2 day notice critical violation 7-38-030
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Instructed not to use grocery bags for food storage inside coolers and freezers. Must use food grade storage bags.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain the following equipment with excessive grease, dried food debris and dust accumulation: interior and exterior surfaces of 2 door prep cooler, refrigerator, freezer, walk-in cooler, microwave oven, storage racks with mold like build-up inside walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, interior and exterior surfaces of fryers and stove encrusted with grease and dried food debris, storage shelves and racks throughout, underneath prep table and shelves, exterior surfaces of storage bins, interior surfaces of washroom hand sink, plastic curtains with heavy dust accumulation, top cover and around doors of prep cooler.
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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 and maintain kitchen hood and filters with excessive grease and dust accumulation, light shields with dust, grease and dead insects above front dining and above rear prep/cooking area, condenser fan cover inside walk-in cooler with excessive dust.
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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: Instructed to repair or replace broken self closing device at washroom door.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible and accurate inside all coolers (prep coolers, refrigerator, walk-in cooler etc.).
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and reorganize rear prep/storage area. Usable items (food and non food) must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning. Must remove unnecessary articles stored in rear storage and behind front counter storage shelves to prevent pest harborage.--------all cleaning equipment (mop, broom etc) must be stored off the floor.
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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: 2-door prep area reach cooler door rubber gaskets ripped. Instructed manager to repair/replace damaged door rubber gasket.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Observed raw wood used on lower side of prep area cutting table. Must seal/paint raw wood pieces, surface must be smooth and easy to clean.
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical4 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector’s note: NO SANITIZING SOLUTION PROVIDED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING,RINSING AND STORING MULTI USE UTENSILS WITHOUT SANITIZING.SINK NOT SET UP.CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER UNABLE TO SET UP SINK,PERSONALLY SET UP SAID SINK: WASH.RINSE AND SANITIZE 100ppm. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector’s note: Found exposed hand sink in prep area not accessible:faucet turned to the right and on top the sink a brown plastic container with plastic bottles inside,unable to wash hands.observed both employees just rinsing hands under running water at three compartment sink;also no paper towels provided at said sink and in staff washroom.exposed hand sink must be accessible at all times.paper towels provided on both sinks upon my request critical violation: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: Cooked food and cut up fruit stored inside in reach-in freezer in grocery plastic bags.instructed to provide food grade bags or plastic containers with lids.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Rusty shelves under the prep table by the walk-in cooler,repair/replace surface must be smooth, cleanable and non-absorbent surface screen door in poor repair some holes on mesh. Need to repair.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Grease build-up interior and exterior of cooking equipments included deep fryers and pipes behind the cooking equipment.debris and dust at fire extinguisher under the hood
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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: Grease on floor specially under the cooking equipment,debris on floor throughout the premises:under shelves,along walls and corners.need to clean and maintain, broken metal floor sheet at seam need to be repaired or replaced inside the walk-in cooler,surface must be smooth,cleanable and non-absorbent surface
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical5 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector’s note: Prep area reach in stand up cooler (by register), not maintained, ambient air temperature at 50.9 f. Found potentially hazardous foods, chicken eggrolls inside said cooler. Instructed manager to repair cooler, ambient air temperature must be 40 for below. Critical violation 7-38-005(a). Cooler is tagged by cdph at this time.
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector’s note: Found potentially hazardous foods, chicken eggrolls at improper temperature between 45.9 f and 46.6 f inside front reach in cooler. Instructed manager all potentially hazardous foods held cold must be 40 for below. Manager voluntarilly discarded all potentially hazardous foods at this time. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector’s note: Bulk food containers not labeled. Instructed manager to label all bulk containers.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Walk in cooler door rubber gasekets damaged (piece missing above door handle). Instructed manager to repair/replace damaged door gasket.
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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 accumulated grease/food build up on floor under fryers and food build up inside prep area floor drain. Instructed manager to clean floor/interior of floor drain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: Ceiling light cover cracked above rear exit door. Instructed manager to replace damaged ceiling light cover.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector’s note: Metal stem thermometer not calibrated. Instructed manager to calibrate metal stem thermometer for food handlers.
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Pass
License · Pass
No violations
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No Entry
License · No Entry
No violations
More in ZIP 60630
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 12 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.