Pass

The Happy Lobster

2300 S Throop St, Chicago, IL 60608

Mobile Food Preparer ZIP 60608 Risk 2 (Medium)

Passed · as of Apr 22, 2026

The Happy Lobster was last inspected on April 22, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

April 22, 2026 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

2 general
  • GeneralFood handling

    Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

    Inspector’s note: License number needed on both lateral sides of truck 2 inch or more in size instructed to install and maintain

    Official wording (code 37)

    Food properly labeled; original container

  • GeneralPests

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

    Inspector’s note: Screens needed for service windows when not in operation. Instructed to install and maintain

    Official wording (code 38)

    Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspection history

11 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    License · Pass

    No violations

  2. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

      Inspector’s note: 3-601.11 observed the business license number was not on the lateral sides of mfp. Instructed to provide at least 2 inches in height on lateral sides of the mfp.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 4-601(c) observed accumulated dirt food and grease debris inside of the fryers. Instructed to clean and sanitize.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.12 observed accumulated dirt and food debris on the floors located under and behind cooking equipment and refrigeration units. Instructed to clean and sanitize.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

      Inspector’s note: 3-601.11 observed the business license number was not on the lateral sides of mfp. Instructed to provide at least 2 inches in height on lateral sides of the mfp.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

  4. Conditional

    License · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

      Inspector’s note: Observed reach in cooler at an improper cold holding temperature of 60f at the time of inspection. Must provide a minimum cold holding temperature of 41f or below. Priority violation. 7-38-005.the manager repaired the service cooler at the time of inspection.

      Official wording (code 33)

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

  5. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

      Inspector’s note: 3-601.11 observed license number inadequate on lateral sides of the mfp. Instructed to provide adequate license number at least 2 inches in height on lateral sides of the vehicle.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: 6-501.12 observed accumulated dirt and grease debris under all of the equipment. Instructed to clean.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  6. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the license number on each side of the food truck not the proper license number. Instructed to provide the license number legibly affixed in letters at least 2 inches in height in a conspicuous place on each lateral side of such vendor's mobile vehicle and maintain

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: No food handler certification on site at time of inspection for food handlers. Instructed to provide and maintain

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  7. Pass

    License · Pass

    No violations

  8. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) observed no employee health policy on site. Instructed to provide an employee health policy that includes a signed acknowledgement from each employee. Priority foundation 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: 2-501.11 observed no written procedure nor adequate supplies (disposable mask, disposable mop , disposable latex gloves, adequate sanitizer *must eliminate norovirus*) to respond to vomit and diarrhea events that can potentially occur inside of the mobile food vehicle. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

  9. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    No violations

  10. Pass

    License · Pass

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

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed correct license #2446963 needs to be printed on lateral sides of the vehicle and previous license number removed. Instructed to provide.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed cutting board with deep dark grooves. Instructed to replace and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed accumualted food debris under the cutting board by the sandwich station. Instructed to clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Observed floors with accumulated dirt debris behind cookin equipment. Instructed to clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease and dirt debris on the vent screen located above the 3 compartment sink. Instructed to clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food handler requirements met

      Inspector’s note: No food handler training certificates available for employees without certified managers certification. Must provide.

More in ZIP 60608

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.