Conditional

Benjyehuda

500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60661

Restaurant ZIP 60661 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of Jun 4, 2026

Benjyehuda was last inspected on June 4, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 3 violations, 2 of them critical.

Latest inspection

June 4, 2026 · Canvass

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

2 critical1 general
  • CriticalFood temperature

    Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

    Inspector’s note: Observed chicken in the upright warmer between 114.0f and 129.0f at time of inspection. Instructed to denature and discard chicken at improper hot-holding temperatures and maintain all tcs food items at 135.0f or above for hot-holding. Approximately 5 lbs. Of food discarded valued at approximately $40.00 on-site. Person-in-charge denatured and discarded listed tcs food item(s) on-site at time of inspection. Priority violation. 7-38-005 citation issued.

    Official wording (code 21)

    Proper hot holding temperatures

  • CriticalFood temperature

    Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

    Inspector’s note: Observed the following tcs food items at improper cold-holding temperatures at the central line cooler: hummus between 47.0f and 50.0f, cooked corn at 46.6f, cut tomatoes at 49.5f at time of inspection. Instructed to denature and discard listed tcs food items at improper cold-holding temperatures and maintain all tcs food items at 41.0f or below for cold-holding. Approximately 15 lbs. Of food discarded valued at approximately $80.00 on-site. Person-in-charge denatured and discarded listed tcs food item(s) on-site at time of inspection. Priority violation. 7-38-005 citation combined with above violation.

    Official wording (code 22)

    Proper cold holding temperatures

  • GeneralFood handling

    Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed single-service plastic pre-packaged food (hummus, corn) containers being washed, rinsed, sanitized, and re-used for food storage. Instructed to cease use of re-used single-service containers for food storage and replace with multi-use equipment designed for repeated warewashing and maintain.

    Official wording (code 45)

    Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

Inspection history

14 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Open cups for employees drinks on food containers shelf, instructed to keep away.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  2. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Inaccurate probe food thermometer, 10 degrees thermometer was off, facility cook and cool TCS foods on site. Instructed manager to calibrate thermometer frequently. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Re-using food container that are chipped and loose plastic hanging, instructed to use proper multi-use utensils.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Inadequate lighting in walk-in cooler, dark areas noted at corners, instructed to provide more lights.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    No violations

  4. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed wiping clothes being dried on the handwashing sinking. Instructed to keep all handwashing sinks free from all wiping clothes and wiping clothes needs to be stored in solution in between use not on the handwashing sinks

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the allergen training for the certifed food manager had expired. Instruct all certified food service manager need to have a valid allergen training on site

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  5. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing signage at both prep hasndsink. Instructed to provide. Person in charge printed & posted signage during inspection.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed grease buildup on stovetop grill, sandwich presser and fryer units. Instructed to degrease, clean and sanitize.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed leak from front handsink basin when in use. Instructed to correct.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  6. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: Observed person in charge without city of chicago food sanitation certificate.instructed to obtain and maintain.priority foundation violation.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed in use soiled wiping cloths air drying throughout front prep area. Instructed to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution @ least 50ppm and maintain.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no city of chicago certified food manager on site during time of inspection while preparing and serving time/temperature control for safety foods (hummus, lentil soup, chicken and beef shawarma, diced tomatoes, cheese, etc) instructed to provide and maintain at least one certified food manager on site at all times while open and operating with valid original certificate posted for public view. Must maintain. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-012. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: All city of chicago certified food managers are instructed to obtain allergen training certificates. Must maintain.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  7. Conditional

    Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

      Inspector’s note: Must provide date markings to tcs/rte foods, prepared onsite and held in coolers over 24 hrs. Instructed to provide consume by dates and maintain. Priority foundation 7-38-005 no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 23)

      Proper date marking and disposition

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Must repair leaky faucet at 3-comp sink, and remove plastic off spray nozzle holding nozzle together at said sink. Instructed to maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Must detail clean excessive dust accumulation from hood filters. Instructed to maintain.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  8. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Must store wiping cloths in sanitizing water between uses to prevent contamination. Instructed to maintain.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Must repair leaky faucet at 3-comp sink, and remove plastic off spray nozzle holding nozzle together at said sink. Instructed to maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  9. Conditional

    Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

    3 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: 2.102.14(a)(a) no employee health policy available on-site during the inspection for review. Instructed to provide the form 1b or similar documents used to demonstrate compliance. Priority foundation 7-38-012 ni 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: 2.501.11 no clean-up kit available on-site during the inspection for review. Instructed to provide kit & procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of fecal or vomitus matter onto surfaces inside the food establishment. Priority foundation 7-38-005 no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

      Inspector’s note: 3.501.17(d)(d) must provided the required dat markings on tcs foods in the walk-in and prep coolers at all times. Instructed to maintain. Priority foundation 7-38-005 no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 23)

      Proper date marking and disposition

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: 6.501.14 must detail clean excessive grease accumulation from kitchen hood filters. Instructed to maintain.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Allergen training is required for all employees that have a city of chicago food sanitation license. Instructed to complete training and keep certificate on-site at all times.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  10. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Observed aluminum foil used as lining in the following areas - wire shelving unit in rear dry storage area - front 2 range burner, between deep fryers and vertical broiler at cook/ prep line - interior siding of vertical broiler at front cook/prep line Informed manager that all surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed manager to remove and maintain it all times. Observed bottom edges of grease trap with exposed openings. Instructed manager to seal bottom edges along grease trap to prevent food, water and debris from getting underneath grease trap and providing food source for pest. Maintain it all times.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Observed mops stored inside mop sink and in mop buck at time of inspection. Instructed manager to store mops in manner that allow air drying. Maintain all times.

  11. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

      Inspector’s note: Found the following previous minor violation not corrected from report # 1970555, dated 10/31/17: # 31 ... ALSO OBSERVED BOWLS BEING USED TO DISPENSE BULK INGREDIENTS IN DRY STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SCOOPS WITH HANDLES TO DISPESNE BULK INGREDIENTS. Operator removed bowls from bulk food items. Advised must provide handled scoops or provide clean container for storage of measuring bowls outside of bulk food product. Serious violation 7-42-090.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

      Inspector’s note: Found several prepped foods (chicken, vegetables, rice, etc.) without proper labels. When cooling cooked potentially hazardous foods, must label with name, date, and time. When holding potentially hazardous prepped foods for more than 24 hours, must label with name and date. Dry storage foods must have a name on bulk food storage containers. Must maintain same.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Found small amount of brown, slimy mold like substance on hose inside upper interior of ice machine, over the customer soda fountain. Must remove, detail clean and sanitize machine. Must maintain same.

  12. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

      Inspector’s note: Observed forks being stored with the use end being presented to the consumer at the prep line. Instructed to store all utensil inverted or with their handles presented to the consumer. Also observed bowls being used to dispense bulk ingredients in dry storage. Instructed to provide scoops with handles to dispesne bulk ingredients.

  13. Pass

    License · Pass

    No violations

More in ZIP 60661

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.