Pass

Cleo's Southern Cuisine

190 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606

Restaurant ZIP 60606 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Jun 11, 2026

Cleo's Southern Cuisine was last inspected on June 11, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 3 violations.

Latest inspection

June 11, 2026 · Complaint

Pass

Result: Pass

3 general
  • GeneralFood handling

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed bags of flour stored directly on the floor in the kitchen storage area. Instructed to relocate flour bags and maintain all food containers at least 6" above the floor during storage and maintain.

    Official wording (code 39)

    Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

  • GeneralFood handling

    In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed in-use utensils stored on the stove in water at 120.0f at the main cook line. Instructed to store in-use utensils in water at least 135.0f or above in-between uses and maintain.

    Official wording (code 43)

    In-use utensils: properly stored

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

    Inspector’s note: Observed no waste receptacle provided in the employee restroom. Instructed to provide at least one waste receptacle in all areas with a handwashing lavatory and ensure number and capacity of indoor waste receptacles is sufficient to hold all generated waste and maintain.

    Official wording (code 54)

    Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspection history

7 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    5 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed food items out of the original containers without labels containing the product name. Instructed to label all foods and spices with common name that are out of the original containers.

      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: Observed cardboard used as liner on sfloor under the hot cooking equipments in prep area. Instructed manager to remove all cardboard from shelving units. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable.

      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 accumulated grease and food debris on interior and exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, prep tables, coolers, freezers, shelving units. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

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

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floors along walls and corners in utility and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    6 critical6 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no kit on site for responding to vomit and diarrhea at time of inspection. Instructed to maintain kit containing all necessary supplies including a sanitizer rated as effective against norovirus on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.

      Inspector’s note: Observed poor hygienic practicies by male food handler observed him with cell phone in hand for several minutes and then put phone in pocket and placed on plastic gloves to prepare a food order without washing his hands. And same employee kept been on the phone and putting on gloves without washing his hands. Instructed to wash hands after every possible contamination(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 hand soap available at handsink in prep/diswashing area. Instructed to provide handsoap at all times. 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: Observed no paper towels at exposed hand washing sink in in front prep area. Instructed to maintain paper towels at all exposed hand washing sinks at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Citation combined with above violation.

      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: Observed exposed hand washing sink in front preap area rendered inaccessible by box being placed inside it. Instructed to maintain all exposed hand washing sinks open and accessible for hand washing. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Citation combined with above.

      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 tcs foods held at improper internal temperatures in the front prep cold holding unit, such as 90lbs of fish at 45.2-48.9ff, 20lbs of chicken at 47.8f and 24lbs of crab at 45-47.4f. Manager discarded and denatured a total 134lbs at $1300. All cold tcs food must maintain 41f or below . Priority violation. Citation issued 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed food items out of the original containers without labels containing the product name. Instructed to label all foods and spices with common name that are out of the original containers.

      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: Observed cardboard used as liner on sfloor under the hot cooking equipments in prep area. Instructed manager to remove all cardboard from shelving units. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable.

      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 chlorine or quats sanitizer testing devices on site at time of inspection. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. Citation issued

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated grease and food debris on interior and exterior surfaces of cooking equipment, prep tables, coolers, freezers, shelving units. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

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

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floors along walls and corners in utility and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean 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 city of chicago food sanitation manager on site while tcs foods are being prepped (such as fish,chicken). Instructed must have a city of chicago food sanitation manager on site at all times when tcs foods are being prepped/served. Instructed must post a valid city of chicago food sanitation manager certification in plain view of customers at all times.priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

  3. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Obstructed hand wash sink at prep kitchen, utensils, knives, scouring pads and cutting board placed on top of hands sink, instructed manager to keep hand sink free from any obstruction. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(C).

      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 hand paper towels provided to kitchen hand wash sink, instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: No drain boards provided to 3-comp sink, instructed to install.

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

  4. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

  5. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical4 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no written procedures or supplies for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Supplies must include adequate sanitizer that eliminates norovirus. Instructed facility to provide clean-up policy and supplies to handle bodily fluid spills on site properly. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no current pest control log book on the premises. Instructed the person in charge that a licensed pest control company and operator must provide at least 2 pest inspections a year, and the reports must be maintained in the log book. Instructed to provide a current pest control log book and pest inspection reports. Priority foundation 7-38-020(c). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed facility without a chlorine chemical test kit for sanitizer or ware washing area. An informed person in charge of a test kit that accurately measures the concentration in mg/l of sanitizing solution must be provided. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 48)

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed an accumulation of dirt/dust buildup on the toilet room exhaust ventilation. Must detail clean 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: Observed continued non-compliance from report #2563323 conducted on 9/08/22. Previous core violations not corrected: (#39) found handwashing sink directly next to 3-compartment sink. Found no barrier between the prep table and the handwashing sink. Instructed manager to provide splash guard to prevent miscellaneous sources of contamination. Must correct core violations by the date on the report. Priority foundation violation #7-42-090. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no proof of training for all food handlers. Instructed to provide and maintain records at all times.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  6. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Found handwashing sink directly next to 3 compartment sink. Found no barrier between prep table and handwashing sink. Instructed manager to provide splash guard to prevent miscellaneous sources of contamination.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Found no proof of allergen training on site at time of inspection. Instructed to provide allergen training for all city of chicago food service managers.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

More in ZIP 60606

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.