Conditional

Ima's

5033 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

Restaurant ZIP 60630 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of Jan 28, 2026

Ima's was last inspected on January 28, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 4 violations, 3 of them critical.

Latest inspection

January 28, 2026 · Canvass

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

3 critical1 general
  • CriticalManagement & training

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy on site as required; must provide. Instructed the person in charge to provide documentation of employees responsibility to report any illness transmissible through food.priority foundation 7-38-010

    Official wording (code 3)

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

  • CriticalFood temperature

    Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

    Inspector’s note: Observed various tcs foods held at inadequate temperatures ranging from 79-120 f. Instructed manager to ensure all hot food is held at 135 f and above. Manager discarded 1 2 pound of cooked rice, 8 pounds of pork pastry, 5 pounds cooked noodles, and 5 pounds cooked vegetables ($100) priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

    Official wording (code 21)

    Proper hot holding temperatures

  • CriticalFood temperature

    Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

    Inspector’s note: Observed pastries with sticky rice sold at room temperature (67f). Instructed manager to ensure all cold tcs foods are held at 41 f and above. Manager discarded 250 pounds sticky rice pastries ($1500) priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation consolidated with previous violation.

    Official wording (code 22)

    Proper cold holding temperatures

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed filters above oven area with an accumulation of grease and debris. Instructed maanger to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspection history

8 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

  2. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    3 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed multiple tcs foods in hot holding unit at improper temperature: cooked chicken 117.8f, cooked fish 109.5, cooked pork 121.6f and cooked beef 117.2f. Manager voluntarily discarded approximately 60 lbs of tcs foods valued at $300 through dentaturing process. All hot tcs food must be maintained at a temperature of 135f or above during storage, preparation, display and service. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 21)

      Proper hot holding temperatures

    • CriticalFood temperature

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no date labeling on time/ temperaure controlled foods within walk in cooler held over 24 hours. Must have labels on all food items showing the identiy of product and use by/ discard date a maximum of 7 days from the preparation date. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005

      Official wording (code 23)

      Proper date marking and disposition

    • CriticalFood temperature

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed hot holding unit not maintaining food at 135f or higher. Hot holding unit must be repaired and maintained so that all food is maintained at 135 or higher at all times. Priority violation 7-38-005 machine was tagged

      Official wording (code 33)

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

      Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 20 lbs of raw meat defrosting in a sink full of cold water. Must defrost from freezer to refrigerator, under cold running water or as part of the cooking process.

      Official wording (code 35)

      Approved thawing methods used

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager on the premises while tcs foods (pork, beef, fish, etc.) are prepared and served. Instructed the person in charge to have a certified food manager present all times while tcs foods are prepared and served. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

  3. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: 3-305.11 observed boxed food items being stored on floor in 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 units 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: 4-501.12 observed multiple cutiing boards with deep scratches and stains on prep surfaces in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to resurface/replace cutting boards and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

  4. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical6 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Hot food was held below a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed multiple tcs foods in hot holding unit at improper temperature: cooked chicken 120.2f, cooked pork 114.6f and cooked beef 123.2f. Manager voluntarily discarded approximately 60lbs of tcs foods valued at $350 through dentaturing process. All hot tcs food must be maintained at a temperature of 135f or above during storage, preparation, display and service. Priority violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 21)

      Proper hot holding temperatures

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed packaged food items in grab and go display cooler not properly labeled with ingredients, net weight, allergens, business name and address. Instructed the person in charge to properly label all packaged foods in grab and go display cooler and maintain.

      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 FOUR LIVE COCKROACHES ON WALL NEXT TO ICE MACHINE IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ROACHES, CLEAN SURFACES, AND MAINTAIN PREMISES FREE OF PEST. RECOMMENDED RECEIVING ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(a) CITATION ISSUED.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed boxed food items being stored on floor in 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 units 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 multiple cutiing boards with deep scratches and stains on prep surfaces in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to resurface/replace cutting boards and maintain.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no chemical sanitizing test strips for the three-compartment sink located in the rear kitchen preparation area. Instructed the person in charge to provide the appropriate chemical sanitizing test strips for the chemical sanitizer that will be used for the three-compartment sink. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated food debris on floors throughout front and rear prep areas. Instructed the person in charge to detail clean floors 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 certified food manager on the premises while tcs foods (pork, beef, fish, etc.) are prepared and served. Instructed the person in charge to have a certified food manager present all times while tcs foods are prepared and served. 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 no food handler training certificates on site at the time of inspection. Instructed the person in charge to comply with idph food handler requirements and maintain.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  5. Conditional

    Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed several tcs food items stored at inadequate temperatures ranging from 60-64 f. Instructed manager to ensure that all cold tcs foods are stored at 41 f and below. Mnager discarded: 15 poun, 5 pounds, 12 pounds bilo,12 square bibingkads suman cassava, 20 pounds lihiya, piti cassava 30 pounds, 7 pounds piti casava, 9 pounds puto, and 16 pounds flavored puto ($2166.46) . Priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • GeneralFood handling

      In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed scoops in rice bin stored with handles directly touching rice. Instructed manaer to scoops are stored with handle facing up.

      Official wording (code 43)

      In-use utensils: properly stored

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no allergen awareness training certificate. Instructed to ensure that any individual that holds a city of chicago foodservice manager certificate has completed and received allergen awareness training and certificate.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  6. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed soap and paper towels at one compartment snk located in the front dispensing area. Instructed to remove soap and paper towels and ensure that soap and paper towels are only provided at hand washing sinks only.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no no covered trsh receptacle in the employee toilet room located in the rear. Instructed to provide a covered trash receptacle and maintain.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed gaps surrounding pipes above walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. Instructed to seal gaps around pipes and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no allergen awareness training certificate. Instructed to ensure that any individual that holds a city of chicago foodservice manager certificate has completed and received allergen awareness training and certificate.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  7. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

More in ZIP 60630

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