Conditional

Montrose Deli

5407-5417 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

Grocery Store ZIP 60641 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of Feb 17, 2026

Montrose Deli was last inspected on February 17, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 8 violations, 4 of them critical.

Latest inspection

February 17, 2026 · Canvass

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

4 critical4 general
  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Staff were eating, drinking, or smoking where food is prepared.

    Inspector’s note: Observed male employee drinking coffee on the prep line while cutting onions. Instructed must provide designated area for employees personal drinks. All open drinks are prohibited in prep areas. Instructed to maintain

    Official wording (code 6)

    Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.

    Inspector’s note: Observed poor hygienic practicies by male food handler. Observed him cough into his hands and after went back straight to cutting onions without washing his hands. Instructed to wash hands after every possible contamination.hands were washed during inspection(cos)(priority 7-38-010)(citation issued)

    Official wording (code 8)

    Hands clean & properly washed

  • 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 sinks in bakery prep area and receiving area. Instructed manager to provide. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-030(c).

    Official wording (code 10)

    Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

  • CriticalFood handling

    Toxic chemicals weren’t labeled, stored, or used safely.

    Inspector’s note: Observed 3 compartment sink setup sanitizing utilizing cholorine sanitizer concentration over 200 ppm, exceeding the maximum concentration level for cholorine sanitizer to use on a food-contact surface at time of inspection. Instructed manager said sanitizer must properly sanitize at 50ppm-100ppm of chlorine all times. Priority violation. Citation issued 7-38-005.

    Official wording (code 28)

    Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used

  • GeneralFood handling

    Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

    Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Instructed manager to elevate all food six inches off floor.

    Official wording (code 39)

    Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

  • GeneralFood handling

    Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store in sanitizing solution between uses.

    Official wording (code 41)

    Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed debris around dumpster. Instructed manager to clean and maintain

    Official wording (code 54)

    Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed build up of dust in the produce walk in cooler fans. Instructed to clean and maintain

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspection history

11 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    1 critical4 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Toxic chemicals weren’t labeled, stored, or used safely.

      Inspector’s note: Observed various employee personal care items stored on top of and above food containers in the rear dry storage area. Instructed to relocate employee personal care items to designated area that does not pose risk of contamination of food or equipment and maintain.

      Official wording (code 28)

      Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used

    • GeneralFood temperature

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed tcs food items in the walk-in cooler (beef, pork) stored covered with food-grade plastic wrap while cooling. Instructed to store tcs food items loosely-covered or uncovered (if protected from overhead contamination) while cooling to facilitate heat transfer and maintain.

      Official wording (code 33)

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

      Inspector’s note: Observed single-use plastic cups used as scoops in dry and cold-holding food containers throughout kitchen and deli areas. Instructed to remove single-use cups and replace with multi-use utensils with handles to prevent contamination while scooping and maintain.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

      Inspector’s note: Observed raw beef stored beneath condensate water drip in the main deli area walk-in cooler. Instructed to relocate raw beef and store food outside of prohibited areas including under plumbing lines in which water has condensed and maintain.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed slicer in main deli area not in-use at time of inspection in poor repair and with glove boxes stored on top of food-contact surfaces. Instructed to repair or replace slicer and cease use of equipment in poor repair to store non-food items and maintain all equipment in good repair and proper adjustment.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed person-in-charge with city of chicago certified manager training and certificate at time of inspection missing allergen awareness training and certificate on-site. Instructed to provide all certified food managers with additional allergen awareness training and maintain certificate(s) on-site at all times.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  2. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

      Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

      Inspector’s note: Observed boxed food items stored on floor in the walk-in cooler in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to elevate all food items six inches from floor on raised shelving untis and maintain.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed unfinished wood on the shelving unit in rear dry storage area. Instructed the person in charge to finish the wood on the shelving units in the rear dry storage area, so that are smooth and easily cleanable and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed dirt buildup in all coners and along walls underneath three compartment sink and cooking equipment in rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to clean all corners, along walls underneath three compartment sink, and behind cooking equipment and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed dust buildup on ceiling and wall vents in prep and storage areas. Instructed the person in charge to clean all ceiling and wall vents and maintain.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  3. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper cold holding temperatures of tcs foods inside of the aisle display cooler for prepared foods, meats and cheeses. Observed soup at 46f, tuna salad at 49f, sausage at 48f, chicken at 50f, hot dogs at 52f, pate at 48f and fish at 50f. Management instructed to maintain all cold tcs foods below 41f. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • CriticalFood temperature

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed the full aisle display cooler with an air temperature of 45f. The cooler was used to store tcs foods such as soups, meats, and cheeses. Management instructed to repair and maintain the cooler below 41f. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 33)

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed incomplete ingredient labels on prepackaged salads and no ingredient labels and no manufacturing address on some packages of bread. Management instructed to provide a complete ingredient list for all prepackaged foods and proper labels for all bread items.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Replace the torn door gasket on the right door of the 2 door cooler in the rear prep area.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

  4. Pass

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: 4-501.11--observed a torn door gaskets inside of the 3 door freezer located in the rear storage area.instructed to replace the torn door gaskets.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

  5. Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    1 critical4 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed missing handwashing signage at hand sink located in the hot service food prep area.must provide and maintain.

      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: Observed missing allergen label information on prepackaged assorted pastries/cookies offered for sale stored in display coolers and display storage racks.instructed management that all prepackaged foods must be labeled as required to include the (food allergens) and maintain.priority foundation violation 7-38-005,citation issued.

      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: Observed the rear exit dock door with opening gap approx:1/4" at bottom left corner.must make door tight fitting all across the bottom to prevent pest entry.

      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 a torn door gaskets inside of the 3 door freezer located in the rear storage area.instructed to replace the torn door gaskets.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean kitchen exhaust hood/filters to remove accumulations of grease/dusts build-up and maintain.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  6. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed torn gasket on door of walk-in cooler located in rear loading dock area used to store bread. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

  7. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

  8. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: No thermometers inside walk in coolers or deli cases. Instructed to provide.

      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: Observed torn gasket on dairy walk in cooler door. Must repair and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper disposal of mop water. Mop water must be appropriately disposed in mop/utility sink.

      Official wording (code 52)

      Sewage & waste water properly disposed

    • GeneralRepeat violation

      A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

      Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violations not corrected from report dated 11/12/2019: #51 must install mop sink with hot/cold running water and back flow prevention device. Rpiority foundation. 7-42-090. No citation issued.

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

  9. Conditional

    License · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Procedure/plan for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events on site but inc-complete clean-up items.must provide and maintain appropriate supplies or kit. (necessary items at a minimum: gloves, face masks, disposable mops and appropriate sanitizer that kills norovirus).priority foundation violation 7-38-005,no citation issued. -

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed a torn door gaskets inside of the milk cooler in customer area. Management instructed to replace the torn door gaskets. -

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Must install mop sink with hot/cold running water and back flow prevention device.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  10. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

More in ZIP 60641

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 9 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.