Baker's Square
5220 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60656
Restaurant ZIP 60656 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Aug 28, 2026
Baker's Square was last inspected on August 28, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 1 violation.
Latest inspection
August 28, 2026 · Short Form Complaint
Result: Pass
1 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 6-501.13 observed soil build up on floor throughout kitchen. Instructed manager to ensure floors are cleaned and maintained.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspection history
13 inspections on record
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 6-501.13 observed soil build up on floor throughout kitchen. Instructed manager to ensure floors are cleaned and maintained.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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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: Observed various tcs foods held at inadequate temperatures ranging from 46-55 f. Manager discarded 4 pounds sliced tomatoes, 2 pounds of cheese, 6 pounds of pooled eggs, 5 pounds of cream pies, and 6 pounds of gravy ($100) 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: Observed cooler wtih an ambient air temperature of 55 f observed front pie display cooler with an ambient air temperature of 52 f on the top rack of cooler. Rear prep cooler tagged. Front pie display cooler partially tagged. Instructed manager to ensure all coolers have an ambient air temperature of 41 f and below. Priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed inadequate waste water disposal at floor drain underneath dish machine. Floor drain is completely clogged and will not go down. Instructed manager to service floor drain. Priority violaiton 7-38-030(c) citation issued.
Official wording (code 52)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed soil build up on floor throughout kitchen. Instructed manager to ensure floors are cleaned and maintained.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical1 general Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Noted internal temperature of the following tcs food items inside service coolers to be improper:-salsa 51.8f, salad dressings 50.1f, coleslaw 53f, yogurt 51f, sausage patties 44.3f. Manager immediately and voluntarily disposed of 16 lbs of products worth $125.00 through denaturing process. 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: Noted equipment not maintaining proper temperature. Noted temperature of service cooler at the prep area to be improper at 50.2f. Instructed not to use equipment until maintaining proper temperature of 41f and below. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Noted sprayer at the scraping one compartment sink by the dish washing machine hanging below the rim of the sink. Instructed to provide the device to hold the sprayer above the water rim of the 1 compartment sink.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
5 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Noted assorted food items inside refrigeration units not properly labeled. Instructed to properly label all food items with product name including bulk food containers.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralFood handling
In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Noted serving plates on shelves at the kitchen prep areas not properly stored. Instructed to invert all serving plates to prevent dust accumulation.
Official wording (code 43)
In-use utensils: properly stored
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Noted torn rubber gasket inside the service prep cooler. Instructed to detail repair and maintain and/or replace. Also noted heavy ice build up on floor inside the walk in freezer. Instructed to repair and maintain the condensation unit.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Noted outside grease container and surrounding not maintained with thick grease on the ground around the grease container and on top of container. Instructed to detail clean and maintain grease container and its surrounding. Priority foundation #7-38-020(b).citation issued.
Official wording (code 54)
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain floor drains at the front prep area.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: 4-501.12--observed stained cutting boards in the food prep areas.instructed to resurface or replace the cutting boards and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: 6-202.11--observed missing light shields for light fixtures in the following areas:dishwashing area,beverage prep dispensing area.instructed to provide light shields or shatter-proof lighting and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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Fail
Complaint Re-Inspection · Fail
1 critical6 general Show violations
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CriticalRepeat violation
A previously cited serious violation still wasn’t fixed.
Inspector’s note: Previous priority foundation violation not corrected from inspecton report#2582504 dated:09/28/2023 #38--approximately 30 live small flies observed today in same areas on the walls and ceiling in the rear dishwashing area and in the side dry storage room.instructed to clean and sanitize all affected areas in detail and maintain.additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity.priority violation 7-42-090,citation issued.
Official wording (code 59)
Previous priority foundation violation corrected
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: 4-501.12--observed stained cutting boards in the food prep areas.instructed to resurface or replace the cutting boards and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: 4-602.13--instructed to detail clean the storage racks inside the walk-in-cooler,prep tables, food storage containers,exterior sides of hot cooking equipments and prep coolers,microwaves,and interior bottom compartments of deep fryers and maintain.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: 6-201.17--instructed to detail clean walls/ceilings in the food prep areas and dishwashing area to remove food splashed debris and detail clean fan covers and attached condensor in walk-in-cooler to remove accumulation of dusts 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: 6-201.11--floors along walls and in all corners throughout the food prep areas and dishwashing area with food debri spillage including floor drains in need of detail cleaning 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: 6-501.114--instructed to detail clean and organize utility mop sink room and rear storage room and remove unnecessary articles/broken unused equipments(coolers,stoves,storage racks etc) due to potential pest harborage and elevate mops,brooms cleaning equipments off the floor at least 6" inches to facilitate cleaning.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: 6-202.11--observed missing light shields for light fixtures in the following areas:dishwashing area,beverage prep dispensing area.instructed to provide light shields or shatter-proof lighting and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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Fail
Complaint · Fail
3 critical11 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.
Inspector’s note: Observed no person in charge present with city of chicago certified manager certificate.
Official wording (code 1)
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide handwashing signage at all handsinks (prep areas).
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Observed a slight debris accumulation encrusted on the interior of the ice machine.must remove debris, detail clean inside ice machine/have serviced and maintain ice machine at all times.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide and maintain a visible working,accurate thermometer inside the milk refrigerator rear beverage prep station.
Official wording (code 36)
Thermometers provided & accurate
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Observed bulk containers in rear without a label. Instructed to provide the common name on all bulk containers to properly identify item (salt, sugar, flour etc.).
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 50 live small flies on the walls and ceiling in the rear dishwashing area and side dry storage room also,10 live small flies flying around in the food prep areas.observed 2 live house flies flying around in the customer dining areas.additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a),citation issued.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed stained cutting boards in the food prep areas.instructed to resurface or replace the cutting boards and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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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 6 door prep cooler underneath the cooking grill.instructed to replace the torn door gaskets and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean the storage racks inside the walk-in-cooler,prep tables, food storage containers,exterior sides of hot cooking equipments and prep coolers,microwaves,and interior bottom compartments of deep fryers 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 water leak at drain pipe underneath the dishmachine.instructed to repair plumbing leak and mantain.
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: Instructed to detail clean walls/ceilings in the food prep areas and dishwashing area to remove food splashed debris and detail clean fan covers and attached condensor in walk-in-cooler to remove accumulation of dusts and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Floors along walls and in all corners throughout the food prep areas and dishwashing area with food debri spillage including floor drains in need of detail cleaning and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and organize utility mop sink room and rear storage room and remove unnecessary articles/broken unused equipments(coolers,stoves,storage racks etc) due to potential pest harborage and elevate mops,brooms cleaning equipments off the floor at least 6" inches to facilitate cleaning.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed missing light shields for light fixtures in the following areas:dishwashing area,beverage prep dispensing area.instructed to provide light shields or shatter-proof lighting and maintain.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager on site while (tcs foods)chicken,deli meat,eggs etc. Is being prepared/handled served to the customers.instructed person in charge,that a city of chicago certified food service manager must be on site at all times when (tcs foods) are prepared,handled, and/or served.priority foundation violation 7-38-012,citation issued.
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
1 critical1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.
Inspector’s note: Observed cosumer advisory done incorrectly on menus. Only those items served raw or undercooked need to be disclosed. Remove asterisk from items served fully cooked. Priority foundation no citation issued
Official wording (code 25)
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed expired allergen certificates for certifed food manager. Renew and maintain.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Complaint · Pass
5 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain storage racks with mold like build-up inside walk-in cooler.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to transfer food products from an open original can container (artichokes) into food grade container for proper food storage.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain interior surfaces of unused 3 compartment sink next to dishmachine in rear dishwashing area.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain light shields with dead insects above rear prep/dishwashing area.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain ceiling and condenser fan cover with dust accumulation inside walk-in cooler
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
3 critical3 general Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing signage at exposed hand sink located on hot line opposite flat top grills. Instructed to provide.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed the following tcs items inside a prep cooler on hot line held at the listed improper temperatures: hamsteak at 47.4f, breakfast sausages at 51.2f, and cooked potatoes at 52.6f. Management voluntarily discarded and denatured approximatley 10lbs of product valued at approximately $40. Instructed to maintain all tcs items at or below 41f at all times. 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: Observed prep cooler on hot line containing tcs foods such as hamsteak, breakfast sausages, and cooked potatoes maintaining an improper ambient temperature of 52.3f. Cooler tagged and held for inspection. 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
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed aluminum foil used as liner underneath flat top grills. Instructed to remove and maintain smooth, cleanable surfaces.
Official wording (code 39)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed 2 cutting boards on hot line covered in deep grooves and dark stains. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain smooth, cleanable surfaces.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed build of dirt and grime on wall, floor, and drain around low temperature dish machine. Instructed to detail clean and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
License · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Detail clean the interior of the microwaves.
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: Repair the middle sink stopper at the 3 compartment sink so that it can hold water in the sink basin.
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: Repair the hole in the frp board at the end of the cook's line.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Clean the grease on the floor beneath the cooking equipment.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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More in ZIP 60656
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 2 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.