Subway
5409 S Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
Restaurant ZIP 60638 Risk 1 (High)
Pass with Conditions · as of Jun 30, 2026
Subway was last inspected on June 30, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 4 violations, 1 of them critical.
Latest inspection
June 30, 2026 · Canvass
Result: Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical2 general1 paperwork-
CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed tcs food (tuna, chicken) at improper cold hold temperature of 48f in prep area. Instructed person in charge all cold held foods must be at 41f and below. Person in charge voluntarily discarded and denatured 2lbs of food at cost of $40. Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed residue on sink around basin. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.
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 floor drain under three compartment sink with residue build up. Instructed person in charge to detail clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed certified manager on duty at time of inspection with expired allergen certificate. Instructed to obtain updated training and retain certificate on site.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
Inspection history
13 inspections on record
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed small leak at drainpipe under 3 compartment sink. Instructed to repair leaking drainpipe.
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 drain undernear 3 compartment sink with accumulation of food debris and stains. Instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Recent Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions
1 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: No valid city of chicago sanitation certification on site. Instructed the person in charge that a valid city of chicago certificate is required on site at all times as well as the certfied manager. Priority foundation #7-38-012 citation issued
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Hot food was held below a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed the following tcs foods not meeting the required temperature of 135f degrees or above in the designated hot-holding unit: meatballs at 117.6f, broccoli soup at 68.0f. Manager immediately and voluntarily disposed of 10 lbs of product worth $25.00 through denaturing process. Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 21)
Proper hot holding temperatures
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: No valid city of chicago sanitation certification on site. Instructed the person in charge that a valid city of chicago certificate is required on site at all times as well as the certfied manager. Priority foundation #7-38-012 citation issued
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
6 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed condiments stored inside cabinet under front hand washing sink. Instructed manager to remove to protect from potential leakage.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFood handling
Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed single service articles stored inside cabinet under front hand washing sink. Instructed manager to remove all single service articles to protect from potential leakage.
Official wording (code 45)
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed dust, dirt and debris on shelving units under front prep coolers. Instructed manager to clean 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: Observed leaking faucet on 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.
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 debris inside floor drain under 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to 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 loose baseboards along walls in dining area. Instructed manager to seal and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Complaint · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralHygiene & sanitation
Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Male food handlers with exposed excessive hair on arms. Instd to properly cover at all times
Official wording (code 40)
Personal cleanliness
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 3-compartment sink faucet leaking. Instd to repair and maintain
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Missing cover for trash receptacle in toilet room. Instd to provide cover and maintain
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
3 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Low pressure at handwash sink in employee toilet room. Instd to repair and maintain
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Inspector’s note: 3-compartment sink improperly draining, water backing up from drain onto floor when water drained. Instd to repair same so as to drain properly without draining at extremely slow intervals. Citation issued 7-38-030(c) priority
Official wording (code 52)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Missing cover for trash receptacle in toilet room. Instd to provide cover and maintain
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.
Inspector’s note: CLEAN KNIVES IMPROPERLY STORED IN CONTAINER OF SANITIZING SOLUTION AT SANDWICH PREP LINE. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY (I.E in hot water 135F OR above , on a clean portion of the FOOD preparation table only if the in-use utensil and the food contact surface of the FOOD preparation table is cleaned and sanitized at a specified frequency, or in a protected manner
Official wording (code 43)
In-use utensils: properly stored
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 3-compartment sink floor drain not clean, excessive debris. Instd to clean and maintain
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
2 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: The following tcs foods at improper temperatures in walk in cooler: ham 50.1f, turkey 52.1f, chicken 50.2, meatballs 54.1, roast beef 50.1f, and soup at 51.9f. Eggs at 49.8f in 2 door cooler in front prep area. All product discarded and denatured at this time. Approx 100lbs $1000 value. 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: Walk in cooler unable to maintain proper cold temperature, internal ambient air temperature at 52.1f. Also, 2 door cooler at front prep area unable to maintain proper cold temperature, internal ambient air temperature at 52.3f. Instd to be able to maintain cold foods at proper temperatures of 41f or below at all times. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralFood handling
In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Multi use knives improperly stored, in sanitizing solution when not in use. Instd to store in a clean, proper manner.
Official wording (code 43)
In-use utensils: properly stored
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.
Inspector’s note: 3-compartment sink not maintained, unable to drain properly. Water must be released at extremely slow intervals to prevent water from accumulating on floor. Instd to repair 3-compartment sink to drain properly. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-025.
Official wording (code 48)
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
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Closed
Canvass · Out of Business
The inspector found this business closed.
No violations
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Pass
License · 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: Worn caulking with black substance noted at 3-compartment sink and wall. Instd to replace caulking amd maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector’s note: Missing thermometer for walk in cooler. Provide same.
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More in ZIP 60638
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.