Wajo Sushi

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jun 1, 2026 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   7 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed 3-compartment sink stoppers missing/not working at left side and middle compartments. Instructed manager must provide working stoppers at 3-compartment sink.

     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 dirt and food debris in the interior contact surfaces of all coolers and freezers throughout premises. Must clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed grease and food debris inside cooking equipment. Must clean and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed exposed handwashing sink drainig slow in front sushi prep aea. Must repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed leak from bottom pipe of 3 compartment sink. When water is run, the pipe leaks into the bucket; observed leak from left faucet at 3 compartment sink. Instructed manager to repair sink.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed heavy dust build up at the ceiling ventilation vents inside washrooms. Must 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: Instructed to detail clean and organize utility mop sink room and remove unnecessary articles (milk crates, building construction materials etc.) due to potential pest harborage and elevate mops, brooms cleaning equipments off the floor at least 6" inches to facilitate cleaning. Observed two unused and not working refrigerators and ice machine in front sushi prep area. Must repair or remove refrigeration units and ice machine from premises.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed certified food manager on site without food allergen training certificate. Instructed above any person with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate to comply with requirements.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

2. May 12, 2026 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

3. Jul 8, 2025 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-201.11-- water damaged ceiling tiles at the exhaust hood. Must replace.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.13--- no proof of food handler training or certificates for all employees. Must provide.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

4. Jun 27, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   4 critical8 general3 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: The person in charge during the inspection does not have a city of chicago sanitation certificate. Priority foundation violation.

     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: Both front and rear prep/dish hand washing sinks not accessible for use. Sushi prep hand sink with towels and tool stored inside. Rear prep/dish hand sink with a basket of soy sauce packets inside. Reviewed hand sinks must be accessible for use at all times. Employee removed. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c) citation issued.

     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: No paper towels available at the rear prep/dish hand washing sink.must provide at all times. Priority foundation violation. See the above violation #10 for citation.

     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: No soap available at the front sushi prep hand washing sink. Must provide at all times. Priority foundation violation. See the above violation #10 for citation.

     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: Soiled linens improperly stored on the floor and in an open bus pan in the rear prep. Must stored in a sealed container.

     Official wording (code 44)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Noted interior of both toaster ovens and top of the gas stove with excessive food debris.---interior and exterior of bulk food containers in the prep area dirty. Must clean and maintain all.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Noted the interior of an unused one door cooler at the front prep extremely dirty.----cloth curtains at the entrance to the kitchen badly stained and dirty. Must clean and maintain all.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Noted a hose attached to piping under the rear dish hand washing sink without a backflow prevention device. Must install.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Noted front prep floor mats in extremely poor condition and unbale to clean. Must replace.----must not use cardboard as matting for floors throughout.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Water damaged ceiling tiles at the exhaust hood.----missing ceiling tile at the rear freezer storage. Must replace all.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: All unnecessary items stored in the front storage room and the far rear storage closet next to the exit door must be removed from the premises to prevent pest harboring and all other items must be stored organized and elevated.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violations from report #2603047 on 9-18-24 not corrected.#37- observed bulk containers in rear dry storage room without a label.instructed to provide the common name on all bulk containers to properly identify item (salt, sugar, flour etc).#49- instructed to detail clean and maintain the interior of the microwave and prep coolers and freezers.#51- observed water leak at base of left faucet at the 3-compartment sink.instructed to repair plumbing leak and maintain.#55- instructed to detail clean and organize utility mop sink room and remove unnecessary articles (milk crates,building construction materials etc.) due to potential pest harborage and elevate mops,brooms cleaning equipments off the floor at least 6" inches to facilitate cleaning. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

   • PaperworkManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: No valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate posted on the premise or such a person on site while tcs foods are served and prepared. Priority foundation violation 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: No proof of food handler training or certificates for all employees. Must provide.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkFood handling

     The inspection summary report wasn’t posted for the public.

     Inspector’s note: Summary report from report #2603047 on 9-18-24 not posted in plain view of the establishments customers. Summary noted posted in the rear prep area where customers have no access. Todays summary report posted to the public. Priority foundation violation 7-42-010(b)

     Official wording (code 61)

     Summary report displayed and visible to the public

5. Sep 18, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical9 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • 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

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed bulk containers in rear dry storage room 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

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no splashguard in the front sushi prep area between hand sink and prep sink.instructed to install a washable splashguard 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 ice scoop stored inside ice machine on ice.instructed to remove and provide an ice scoop container to prevent contamination before use.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain the interior of the microwave and prep coolers.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Backflow prevention device not located at utility mop sink.must install so backflow prevention device may be located to be serviced and maintained.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed water leak at base of left faucet at the 3-compartment sink.instructed to repair plumbing leak and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and organize utility mop sink room and remove unnecessary articles (milk crates,building construction materials 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: Instructed to detail clean the kitchen exhaust hood/filters to remove accumulation of grease build-up and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violation #58 not corrected from inspection report#2584232 dated:10/27/2023 #58--2-102.13 observed no certified food manager with food allergen training on site. Instructed manager to comply with requirements. Instructed to comply with noted violation and maintain as required. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090,citation issued.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

   • PaperworkManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager on site with a city of chicago sanitation certificate or valid documentation while (tcs foods) rice,sushi etc.is being prepared/handled.instructed person in charge,that a city of chicago certified food service manager must be on site at all times while (tcs foods) are prepared,handled, and/or served.instructed to comply as required.priority foundation violation 7-38-012,citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

6. Oct 27, 2023 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 paperwork Show violations

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed no certified food manager with food allergen training on site. Instructed manager to comply with requirements.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

7. Oct 20, 2023 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   4 critical3 general3 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.

     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 hand washing sink in kitchen blocked by bowl stored in said hand sink and by hose hooked up to hand washing sink. Instructed manager to ensure that hand washing sink is accessible at all times and is used for no purpose other hand hand washing only. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c) citation issued.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed several tcs foods held at inadequate temperatures ranging from 49-51 f. Instructed manager to ensure all cold tcs foods are stored at 41 f and below. The manager discarded 10 pounds of fish, 1 pound of cream cheese, and 1/4 pound kimchi. 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 cooler with an inadequate ambient air temperature of 51 f. Instructed manager to ensure all cold holding units have an ambient air temperature of 41 f and below. Cooler tagged. Priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 33)

     Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed 10 small flies throughout kitchen area. Instructed manager to service all areas affected by pests. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a) citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed leak from bottom pipe of 3 compartment sink. When water is run, the pipe leaks into the bucket; observed leak from left faucet at 3 compartment sink. Instructed manager to repair sink.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed heavy clutter in storage rooms of the facility. Instructed manager to declutter and discard any unnecessary items to avoid pest harborage.

     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 city of chicago food manager certificate posted on site. Instructed manager to ensure the city of chicago food manager certificate is posted. Priority foundation violation 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: Observed food handler with no food handler certificate on site. Instructed manager to provide.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager with food allergen training on site. Instructed manager to comply with requirements.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

8. Mar 29, 2022 Conditional

   License Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Found no employee health policy/training on site. Instructed to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010

     Official wording (code 3)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to install prep sink (1 compartment sink) accessible to front prep area where sushi will be prepared, made to order.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Food handlers with incomplete of food handler training certificate. Instructed to provide certificate for each employee.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

9. Feb 22, 2022 Fail

   License · Fail

   6 critical11 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Found no employee health policy/training on site. Instructed to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010

     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: Found no procedure/plan for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed to provide and maintain required procedure/plan and appropriate supplies or kit. (necessary items at a minimum: gloves, face masks, disposable mops and appropriate sanitizer/spray that kills norovirus) priority foundation violation 7-38-005

     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: Instructed to provide handsoap and hand drying device at all handsinks.

     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: Instructed to provide handwashing signage at all handsinks.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Found no consumer advisory disclosure and reminder statement on the menu. Management instructed to disclose which foods can be ordered "raw" or under cooked and link those foods with an asterisk (*) to a reminder statement that states that eating raw or under cooked foods can increase your risk of food borne illness. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • CriticalFood handling

     Specialized processes (curing, vacuum-packing, etc.) didn’t follow the approved plan.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no ph meter on site or letter from laboratory indicating rice used for sushi has had ph reduced to render it non-tcs. Instructed to obtain either ph meter or sushi rice letter and must maintain on site. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 29)

     Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide metal stem thermometer for taking internal food temperature accuracy.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Found no licensed pest control logbook available on premises. Instructed to provide a pest control log book with a complete contents ( contract/service agreement, service report, chemicals used etc.) priority foundation violation 7-38-020 (c)

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Found no sanitizing test strips (for chlorine) available for determining sanitizing concentration at 3 compartment sanitizing sink. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Backflow preventer device not located behind ice machine and at mop faucet. Instructed to install so that it can be located to be serviced and maintained.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to install prep sink (1 compartment sink) accessible to front prep area where sushi will be prepared, made to order.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Toilet room receptacle must be covered. Instructed to provide cover/lid.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed to seal raw wood shelves behind front sushi prep counter.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFood handling

     Miscellaneous public health order.

     Inspector’s note: Found no signage requiring masks. Instructed to post the required signage at each public accesible entrance to the business and at least one location inside the business.

     Official wording (code 64)

     Miscellaneous / public health orders

   • GeneralFood handling

     Miscellaneous public health order.

     Inspector’s note: Found no written protocol available on site. Instructed to have a written record describing protocol for checking proof of vaccination in public places. Violation 2-112-340

     Official wording (code 64)

     Miscellaneous / public health orders

   • GeneralFood handling

     Miscellaneous public health order.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no signage posted at the accessible entrance to the covered location and at least one location inside premises that is conspicously visible, informing patrons of the full vaccination requirement. Instructed to post signage. Violation 2-112-340

     Official wording (code 64)

     Miscellaneous / public health orders

   • GeneralFood handling

     Miscellaneous public health order.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no records of employee vaccination status or weekly testing per public health order exhibit a. Instructed to provide. Violation 2-112-340

     Official wording (code 64)

     Miscellaneous / public health orders

   • PaperworkManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Found no city of chicago foodservice sanitation certificate on site. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Food handlers with incomplete of food handler training certificate. Instructed to provide certificate for each employee.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training