Sams Food & Deli

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jun 4, 2025 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 critical4 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: 2-101.11 observed pic, at time of inspection, does not have a valid city of chicago food service sanitation manager's certification. Instructed all persons in charge must obtain a valid city of chicago food service sanitation managers certificate. Priority foundation. Citation issued under violation #2.

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • 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 at all times. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

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

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-301.14 observed no handwashing signs at the handwashing sinks located in toilet room and in the food prep area. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: 3-601.11 observed pre-packaged dessert labels without business name and business address. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: 4-502.13 observed cardboard being reused as a preptable liner and grill liner. Observed cardboard and doritos bags taped to the wall. Instructed to remove and make surfaces easily cleanable.

     Official wording (code 45)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.114 observed clutter in the toilet room. Instructed to remove unnecessary clutter in the toilet room. Instructed to remove clutter and organize.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.12 observed floors in toilet room with accumulated debris. Instructed to clean.

     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: 2-101.11 observed no chicago food sanitation manager on site when tcs food (cheese 155.2f, ground beef 154.98f)) prepared and served. A chicago food sanitation manager must be on site and valid certificate posted at all times tcs food prepared and served. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed no food handlers' certificates for inspectors review. Instructed to meet requirement for all food handlers.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

2. Sep 12, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 critical6 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no person in charge wtih valid chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed manager to designate person in charge during all hours of operation. Priority foundation

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signs at hand washing sinks in washroom and prep area. Instructed manager to provide hand washing signs at all hand washing sinks used by employees.

     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 hot or cold running water at hand washing sink inside washroom. Instructed manager to provide at least 100f water at hand washing sink. Priorty 7-38-030(c) citation issued

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood handling

     Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed mulit-use pot and strainer stored inside washroom. Instructed manager to remove all multi-use equipment and utensils from washroom.

     Official wording (code 44)

     Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled cardboard trays on chip display. Instructed manager to replace 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: Observed food debris and spills on interior and exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, holding units, bulk containers, slicer, coolers, freezers, prep tables, shelving units. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed hand washing sink not secure to wall inside washroom. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in prep area. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floor under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, storage, front counter, washroom and sales areas. Instructed manager to 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 chicago food sanitation manager on site when tcs food (italian beef 147.2f, ground beef 165.9f)) prepared and served. A chicago food sanitation manager must be on site and valid certificate posted at all times tcs food prepared and served. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

3. Aug 22, 2023 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   5 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Found the ice freezer behind the front counter with ice build up. Instructed manger to remove ice build up 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: Found food debris and grease buildup on interior and exterior surfaces of grill, fryers, slicer, holding units, prep tables, coolers and freezers. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found damaged ceiling tile in the prep area and water stained ceiling tiles throughout. Instructed to replace ceiling tiles and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Found grease buildup and debris on floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, storage, sales, front counter and washroom 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: Found excessive clutter in washroom. Instructed manager to remove all unnecessary articles and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

4. Jun 9, 2022 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical7 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no person in charge with valid chicago food sanitation certificate. Instructed manager to designate person in charge during all hours of operation. Priority foundation

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed fly strip hanging in prep area. Instructed manager to remove.

     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: Observed inadequate stoppers for 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide adequate stoppers and maintain.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled cardboard on chip trays in sales area and bottom of prep tanlr in prep area. Instructed manager to remove.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food debris and grease buildup on interior and exterior surfaces of grill, fryers, slicer, holding units, prep tables, coolers and freezers. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed grease buildup and debris on floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, storage, sales, front counter and washroom 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: Observed excessive clutter in washroom. Instructed manager to remove all unnecessary articles and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed damaged light shield in prep area. Instructed manager to replace.

     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 no chicago food sanitation manager on site and valid certificate posted when tcs food (italian beef 186.4f) prepared and served. A chicago food sanitation manager must be on site and valid certificate posted at all times tcs food prepared and served. Priority foundation 7-38-012 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

5. Mar 22, 2021 Closed

   Canvass · Out of Business

   The inspector found this business closed.

   No violations

6. Mar 22, 2021 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: No person in charge with valid city food certificate.

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy for employees health. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation

     Official wording (code 3)

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

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed packaged sliced cheesecakes, deli sandwiches inside to go cooler not properly labeled. Instructed to label all packaged cakes, sandwiches with name, ingredients, net weight, business name and address.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed exterior of cooking equipment not clean of grease, debris. Instructed to clean/ maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no valid city of chicago food sanitation certificate posted when (tcs) foods are being prepared, held,( ground beef) at 187.0f. Priority foundation issued 7-38-012.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

7. Jan 13, 2020 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed ice build up inside the reach in freezer in the display area, also noted the inside of the ice cream freezer dirty. Must defrost and clean.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Floors need cleaning around cooking equipment to remove grease and debris.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the light shield in the selling area in poor repair(cracked). Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

8. Apr 2, 2019 Conditional

   Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

   4 critical2 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 for employees. Instructed ( pic) to provide. Priority foundation

     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 employee procedure for vomting and diarrheal events. Instructed to provide with kit that has all necessary items outline in policy including face mask, disposable mop, plastic gloves and appropicate sanitizer to kill the noro virus. Priority foundation.

     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: Observed time/temperature control for safety ready to eat foods out (cheese,deli meats, cooked meat) held for over 24 hours without labels containing product dates. Instructed to provide labels for all tcs ready to eat foods and foods that are out of the original packaging and held for over 24 hours. Priority foundation.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no consumer advisory on menu for undercooked foods, (hamburgers,eggs). Instructed that menu must have a reminder and disclosure for any raw or undercooked foods served. Priority foundation

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Corrected

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed dry storage bulk not in original containers not labeled with common name and ketchup, hot sauce,etc. Instructed to install

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • PaperworkManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: No city of chicago food sanitation certificate provided when preparing tcs foods,( ground beef/ nachos), temperature of 178.0f instructed that valid city of chicago food sanitation certificate must be posted at all times for pic on duty. Priority foundation violation issued 7-38-012

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide food handler requirement for employee cooking in prep area.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

9. Mar 29, 2019 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   7 critical4 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 for employees. Instructed ( pic) to provide. Priority foundation

     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 employee procedure for vomting and diarrheal events. Instructed to provide with kit that has all necessary items outline in policy including face mask, disposable mop, plastic gloves and appropicate sanitizer to kill the noro virus. Priority foundation.

     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: Upon inspection observed handwashing sink not accessible for employee use while cooking and preparing food.observed stack of plastic food trays inside of sink. Pic removed tray. Instructed employee to wash hands-cos. Instructed that handwashing sink must be accessible at all times,nothing inside sink on or in front of sink. Priority foundation issued 7-38-030(c)

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no quaternary sanitizer solution available for manual dishwashing at 3- compartment sink. Instructed to provide to properly sanitize all food equipment and muli use utensils being used. Priority violation 7-38-005

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • CriticalFood temperature

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed time/temperature control for safety ready to eat foods out (cheese,deli meats, cooked meat) held for over 24 hours without labels containing product dates. Instructed to provide labels for all tcs ready to eat foods and foods that are out of the original packaging and held for over 24 hours. Priority foundation.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no consumer advisory on menu for undercooked foods, (hamburgers,eggs). Instructed that menu must have a reminder and disclosure for any raw or undercooked foods served. Priority foundation.

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • CriticalFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed handwashing sink inside of employee washroom that has been removed not installed. Instructed pic to re- install that handwashing sink according to law. Priority violation issued 7-38-030(c)

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: No metal stem thermometer for taking food temperatures. Must provide. Priority foundation

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed prepared on site salads for sale to the public inside the to go cooler without list of ingredients listed on packaged and sell by date. Instructed to install proper labels.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed dry storage bulk not in original containers not labeled with common name and ketchup, hot sauce,etc. Instructed to install.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no city of chicago food sanitation certificate for (pic) on premises at this time food is being prepared cooked and handled (beef sandwiches,,fish, ground beff/ cheese,chicken, etc) priority foundation 7-38-012

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide food handler requirement for employee cooking in prep area.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

10. Apr 19, 2018 Pass

    License · Pass

    4 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Grout loose floor tiles in prep, storage, and sales area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Replace all stained ceiling tiles in sales area. Seal openings around pipe fittings under exposed sink. Secure loose ventilation fan in washroom.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Inspector’s note: Replace missing light shields in left sandwich prep cooler and ventilation hood. Provide adequate light shields in prep area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Remove plumbers putty around drains inside 3-compartment sink. Replace left handle on sink in washroom.