Popeye's

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

Inspector’s note: Missing covers for shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and pickles in top area of small cold holding unit in front prep area near fryers and chicken hot holding unit. Instructed to provide covers to protect from possible contamination.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing door handle for men's washroom door. Instructed to replace door handle for men's washroom door.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floor in interior of cabinet underneath drive thru ice bin. Observed debris on floor to the right of safe underneath front counter. Instructed to clean floors in said areas and maintain. Observed beige buildup on floors, along bases of wall and in interior of floor drain underneath three compartment sink and shelving units in rear dry storage and dishwashing area. Instructed to clean floors, along bases of wall and interior of floor drain in said area and maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed dusty ceiling vents in hallway leading to rear exit near utility sink. Instructed to clean ceiling vents in said area and maintain.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violation from inspection report #2631377 dated 02/18/2026 not corrected. Instructed to correct. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued. At time of inspection facility provided no proof of allergen awareness training certificates for any employees with city of chicago food service sanitation certificates. Instructed to provide proof of allergen training for all employees with city of chicago food service sanitation certificates.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: 5-501.115: observed clutter in enclosed dumpster area. Observed shelving unit, plastic pipes and stainless steel stored in enclosed dumpster area. Instructed an enclosure for refuse shall be maintained free of unnecessary items.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.11: observed missing grout in between floor tiles in dishwashing area. Instructed to smoothly regrout in between floor tiles where grout is missing in dishwashing area for ease of cleanability.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.12: observed buildup and debris on interior of floor drain underneath drive thru fountain machine. Instructed to clean interior of floor drain underneath drive thru fountain machine and maintain. Observed buildup and debris on floors, along bases of walls and in corners underneath shelving units in dry storage. Instructed to clean floors, along bases of walls and in corners underneath shelving units in dry storage and maintain.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed clutter in enclosed dumpster area. Observed shelving unit, plastic pipes and stainless steel stored in enclosed dumpster area. Instructed an enclosure for refuse shall be maintained free of unnecessary items.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed non working one door refrigerator next to front chicken prep area. Instructed to remove items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishemnt such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing grout in between floor tiles in dishwashing area. Instructed to smoothly regrout in between floor tiles where grout is missing in dishwashing area for ease of cleanability.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed buildup and debris on interior of floor drain underneath drive thru fountain machine. Instructed to clean interior of floor drain underneath drive thru fountain machine and maintain. Observed buildup and debris on floors, along bases of walls and in corners underneath shelving units in dry storage. Instructed to clean floors, along bases of walls and in corners underneath shelving units in dry storage and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: 5-205.15 observed handsink in front prep area to be slow draining. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 50 rat droppings scattered inside of cabinet in dining room area under soda dispenser. Instructed person in charge to remove all rat droppings, clean and sanitize area and inform pest control of activity. Priority founation #7-38-030(a) . Citation issued

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed handsink in front prep area to be slow draining. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violation from report #2603056, dated:9/18/24, not corrected: #16-observed build up of residue on side interior panel of ice machine. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain. #49-observed build of rust on shelves inside walk-in cooler. Instructed person in charge to remove rust or replace. #54-observed debris and trash on the ground in the trash corral around the dumpster. Instructed person in charge to clean area and maintain.priority foundation #7-42-090. Citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed electronic fly trap installed directly above handwashing sink. Instructed person in charge to relocate and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed build up of rust on shelves inside walk in cooler. Instructed person in charge to remove rust or replace.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed debris and trash on ground in trash corral around dumpster. Instructed person in charge to clean area and maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed excessive build up of dust on ceiling air vents in rear dish area near exterior door. Instructed person in cahrge to clean and maintain.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: 5-501.17: observed no covered receptacles for feminine hygiene products inside of womens staff toilet room. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.11 worn grout lines around floor tiles near cooking line/fryers, chicken breading station, warewashing area and hallway leading to rear exit door causing excessive food debris, flour, and liquid accumulation in grout lines. Instd to repair/ re grout and maintain floors so as to be a smooth, even easily cleanable surface in order to maintain floors clean and dry

Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

Inspector’s note: Inproper thawing of chicken in standing water. Instd to thaw properly (ie under cold running water, under refrigeration, etc)

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

Inspector’s note: Over 10 live house and drain flies noted on walls and ceiling in rear warewashing area. Instd to remove flies, clean and sanitize all affected areas. Contact pest control for service. Citation issued 7-38-030(a) priority foundation.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacles for feminine hygiene products inside of womens staff toilet room. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Worn grout lines around floor tiles near cooking line/fryers, chicken breading station, warewashing area and hallway leading to rear exit door causing excessive food debris, flour, and liquid accumulation in grout lines. Instd to repair/ re grout and maintain floors so as to be a smooth, even easily cleanable surface in order to maintain floors clean and dry. Wall base at hallway across from 3-compartment sink in disrepair, loose from wall and causing excessive debris inbetween base and wall. Instd to repair wallbase and have tight fitting.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed food handler prepping food without hair restraints. Instructed person in charge that all food handlers must wear a hair restraint.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed minor leak at drainpipe at rear middle handwash sink. Instructed to repair and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Must shorten chemical dispenser hose at 3- compartment sink.

Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacles for feminine hygiene products inside of womens staff toilet room. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed grease buildup, food debris, and dirt on floor under cooking equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, dish washing, and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in all areas.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace leaky pipe under three compartment sink.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed outside ground/garbage area around old grease container with excessive grease, debris, 5 rat droppings and foul odor. Instd to remove the following : rat droppings, grease container that is leaking , and grease from surrounding area. Instd to clean entire area and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up in all floor drains. Must clean debris build up under, around, and along floor drains and wall bases throughout premises. Must remove standing water in dishwashing area and keep dry.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN FOOD AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON SHELVING UNIT IN WALKIN COOLER, WHEEL BASES ON FRYERS, UNDERSIDE OF HOT HOLDING UNIT, AND BACKSIDE OF MENU BOARD.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed outside ground/garbage area around old grease container with excessive grease and debris build up and foul odor as well with excessive amount of appx.30 or more rat droppings on ground in outside garbage corral.must remove droppings and grease build up from ground clean and sanitize areas. (priority foundation 7-38-020(b)(citation issued)

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP IN ALL FLOOR DRAINS. MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP UNDER, AROUND, AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES. MUST REMOVE STANDING WATER IN DISHWASHING AREA AND KEEP DRY.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR BURNT OUT BULB OVER HOT HOLDING UNIT FOR CHICKEN, MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS AT FRONT PREP AREA.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed flour storage bin not labeled. Instructed to label bin when not contained in original container.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of 20 or more live large flies in prep area, rear storage area on boxes and ceiling and approximately 15 or more live small flies in rear storage area on boxes, walls, inside mop sink basin , under one compartment sink, and dishwashing area. Obeserved approximately 15 rat droppings on floor under beverage dispenser station in the dining area. Must remove rodent droppings. Clean and sanitze areas. Recommended to contact pest control to service on or after 9/8/22. (priority foundation-7-38-020(a) citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Obeserved north outer entrance door sweep has a gap and should be replaced.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean food and debris build up on shelving unit in walkin cooler, wheel bases on fryers, underside of hot holding unit, and backside of menu board.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace leaky pipe under three compartment sink.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up in all floor drains. Must clean debris build up under, around, and along wall bases throughout premises. Must remove standing water in dishwashing area and keep dry.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up from walls throughout prep and dishwashing areas.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Must replace or repair burnt out bulb over hot holding unit for chicken, missing light shields at front prep area.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violation not corrected from report #2522955 7-20-21 #55-: 6-201-11 wall base next to utility sink in poor repair, cracked and excessive black mold like accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain #55: 6-201.11 worn grout lines around floor tiles near cooking line/fryers, chicken breading station, warewashing area and hallway leading to rear exit door causing excessive food debris, flour, and liquid accumulation in grout lines. Instd to repair/ re grout and maintain floors so as to be a smooth, even easily cleanable surface in order to maintain floors clean and dry.(priority foundation 7-42-090(citation issued)

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

Inspector’s note: 4-501.11: small reach in cooler (behind cashier line0 condensor line leaking, cauing water accumulation on interior bottom. Instd to repair and maintain

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(b)excessive black mold like substance noted at caulking around base of chicken prep sink and wall. Instd to replace caulk and maintain clean

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: 5-205.15 air conditioner leaking from ceiling in rear storage area. Instd to repair and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201-11 wall base next to utility sink in poor repair, cracked and excessive black mold like accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.11 worn grout lines around floor tiles near cooking line/fryers, chicken breading station, warewashing area and hallway leading to rear exit door causing excessive food debris, flour, and liquid accumulation in grout lines. Instd to repair/ re grout and maintain floors so as to be a smooth, even easily cleanable surface in order to maintain floors clean and dry

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

Inspector’s note: Live large flies (over 5) noted in rear prep area and dining area. Instd to remove all flies, clean and sanitize affected areas and contact pest control for service. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a)

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

Inspector’s note: Small reach in cooler (behind cashier line0 condensor line leaking, cauing water accumulation on interior bottom. Instd to repair and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Worn grout lines around floor tiles near cooking line/fryers, chicken breading station, warewashing area and hallway leading to rear exit door causing excessive food debris, flour, and liquid accumulation in grout lines. Instd to repair/ re grout and maintain floors so as to be a smooth, even easily cleanable surface in order to maintain floors clean and dry.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-201.11: worn floor grout lines through out, causing excessive debris in lines. Instd to re grout floor and maintain

Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

Inspector’s note: No chemical sanitizng test kit on site. Instd to provide and maintain on site at all times. Citation issued 7-38-005 priority foundation

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Walk in cooler door handles and all sink faucet handles with debris accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Worn floor grout lines through out, causing excessive debris in lines. Instd to re grout floor and maintain

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Excessive black substance on caulking above prep sink. Instd to remove black substance and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Missing proper stoppers for 3-compartment sink. Instd to provide and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Missing grout around floor drain by 3-compartment sink. Instd to re grout and maintain