Lips Restaurant

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Oct 29, 2025 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

2. Sep 2, 2025 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

3. Jun 13, 2024 Conditional

   Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: 6-202.15: observed the bottom of the front entrance doors with small openings. Instructed to seal mentioned doors and maintain.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: 4-301.12: observed one missing sink stopper for the three compartment sink. Instructed to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: 6-303.11: observed no working lights in the dry ingredient storage closet in the rear food prep area. Instructed to provide adequate lighting in the mentioned area and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: 2-101.11: observed the person in charge on site with no original city of chicago certified food manager certificate and no proof of identification on site during the inspection. Instructed to provide the original city of chicago certified food manager certificate with a valid form of identification must be on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012, citation issued

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

4. Jun 5, 2024 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   2 critical4 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed black mold like substance above the ice on the interior of the ice machine. Stored in the rear food prep area. Instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain. Ice machine is used for human consumption. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, citation issued

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • CriticalFood handling

     Specialized processes (curing, vacuum-packing, etc.) didn’t follow the approved plan.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no variance/haccp plan approval on site for vacuum sealing time and temperature control for safety foods. The following vacuum sealed food items were found in two cold holding units on site: salmon found in the walk-in cooler and cooked chicken found in a freezer chest on the second floor in a storage room with dates of 05/05/2024. Approximately 10lbs at $65 were discarded at this time. Informed person in charge, that in order to use said machine, a haccp plan/variance must be obtained by cdph. Machine tagged during inspection. Instructed site not to use machine nor vacuum seal foods until haccp plan/variance is submitted to cdph and approval granted from cdpdh. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 29)

     Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp

   • GeneralFood handling

     No approval obtained for a specialized processing method.

     Inspector’s note: Observed a vacuum packaging machine on site, and assorted food items inside the walk-in cooler and deep freezer on the second floor, vacuum packaged with no proof of haccp or variance per health code requirement. Instructed management discontinue the vacuum packaging process until the health department approves a variance and haccp. Priority foundation 7-38-005, citation consolidated with violation #29

     Official wording (code 32)

     Variance obtained for specialized processing methods

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the bottom of the front entrance doors with small openings. Instructed to seal mentioned doors and maintain.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed one missing sink stopper for the three compartment sink. Instructed to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no working lights in the dry ingredient storage closet in the rear food prep area. Instructed to provide adequate lighting in the mentioned area and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the person in charge on site with no original city of chicago certified food manager certificate and no proof of identification on site during the inspection. Instructed to provide the original city of chicago certified food manager certificate with a valid form of identification must be on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012, citation issued

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

5. May 20, 2024 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

6. Oct 31, 2023 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of food debris and litter under sinks in bar area. Instructed person in charge to detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no valid city of chicago sanitation certificate on site. Instructed person in charge to maintain valid original city of chicago sanitation certificate on site. Priority foundation #7-38-012. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

7. Oct 20, 2023 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

8. May 11, 2022 Pass

   Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 critical1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing sign at hand washing sink in prep area. Instructed manager to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no consumer advisory, disclosure or reminder to inform consumers of the significantly increased risk of foodborne illness from consuming raw or undercooked meats, poulrty, seafood, shellfish or eggs. Priority voundation

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

9. May 2, 2022 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   6 critical12 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy on site as required; must provide. Instructed the person in charge to provide documentation of employees responsibility to report any illness transmissible through food. Priority foundation 7-38-010 citation issued

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no adequate supplies on site to properly respond to vomit and/or diarrheal events . Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.citation issued

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing sign at hand washing sink in prep area. Instructed manager to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing soap/cleanser at the hand washing sink located in the bar area. Instructed to always maintain hand washing cleanser at all hand washing sinks at all times. Employee provided hand washing cleanser during the inspection. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c) citation issued

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no paper towels or sanitary hand drying devices at hand washing sink in bar area. Instructed manager to provide. Priority foundation.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no consumer advisory, disclosure or reminder to inform consumers of the significantly increased risk of foodborne illness from consuming raw or undercooked meats, poulrty, seafood, shellfish or eggs. Priority voundation

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no ambient air thermometers inside the reach in milk coolers. Instructed to provide conspicuous and easily readable thermometers inside all refrigerator units to properly monitor the ambient air temperature of equipment.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed fruit fly activity at the front bar area, ice machine area, and dish machine area. Approx 30-35 flies noted. Observed 1 live roach and 2 dead roaches. Instructed manager to detail clean all affected areas to remove all food spills, pooling water and remove ll wet towels. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Large can opener in need of detail cleaning to remove all build up. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Interior of cabinets not clean,with debris. Instd to clean and maintain same

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • 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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 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.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacles for feminine hygiene products inside of unisex/ staff toilet room. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no waste receptacles at hand washing sinks. Instructed manager to provide.

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed water damage surfaces on ceiling in dishwashing area of the facility. Instructed to repair ceiling and make all surfaces smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed manager to correct and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • 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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: All floor drains in need of detail cleaning to remove all build up. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: All hood ventilation filters in need of detail cleaning to remove all grease build up. Instructed to detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food service sanitation manager without food allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

10. Apr 25, 2022 No Entry

    Non-Inspection · No Entry

    No violations

11. Apr 13, 2022 No Entry

    Non-Inspection · No Entry

    No violations

12. Dec 3, 2020 No Entry

    Canvass · No Entry

    No violations

13. Jun 18, 2019 Conditional

    License · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical2 paperwork Show violations

    • CriticalManagement & training

      Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

      Inspector’s note: No employee health policy on premises as required; must provide. Instructed the person in charge to provide documentation of employees responsibility to report any illness transmissible through food. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.

      Official wording (code 3)

      Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

    • CriticalManagement & training

      No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

      Inspector’s note: No vomit and diarrheal clean up procedure on premises as required; must provide. Instructed the person in charge that a vomit and diarrheal clean up procedure must be documented and the necessary supplies on hand in the event of a vomit and diarrheal incident on premises. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed the person in charge that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed the person in charge that all city of chicago food service managers must obtain the required food allergen training.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required