Serena Restaurant
2536 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Restaurant ZIP 60659 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Sep 29, 2026
Serena Restaurant was last inspected on September 29, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found no violations.
Latest inspection
September 29, 2026 · Complaint Re-Inspection
Result: Pass
No violationsNo violations were recorded at this inspection.
Inspection history
8 inspections on record
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Fail
Complaint · Fail
10 general Show violations
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GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Visible and working thermometers needed in all refrigeration units. Must provide and maintain.
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: Must label all food storage containers when food is not in the original containers.
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: Evidence of improper pest control on premises. Observed approximately 40 live small flies on walls, ceiling and floor drains in rear dishwashing area and walls in the front prep area. Must clean and sanitized affected areas and whenever needed. Additional pest control service is needed to eleiminate flying insect problem. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.
Inspector’s note: Observed missing section of food guard in the front steam tables. Steam tables not in use at this time of inspection. Both steam tables tagged and held for inspection at this time.
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 rusty food storage shelving inside walk-in cooler and rear food storages rooms. Must remove rust and ensure all nonfood contact surfaces remain smooth and easily cleanable surfaces.
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: Observed excessive amount of ice build up on chest freezers stored in rear kitchen food preparation area and basement food storage area. Must remove ice and clean freezers,
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 leaking faucet base at the 3-compartment sink located sink on the front serving station area and rear dishwashing area. Must repair and maintain at all times.
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: Observed ccumulated food debris on floor on floor in rear prep area, dishwashing area and basement underneath food storage shelving. Must clean and maintain floors at all times.
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: Observed excessive amount of grease and food debris on floor drains in rear prep area and raer dishwashing area. Must clean and maintain at all times.
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: Observed peeling paint on walls in rear dishwashing area and behind hand washing sinks in main kithen food preparation area. Must repaint and maintain at all times.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
2 general1 paperwork Show violations
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed 10 rat droppings on basement floor under wooden pallets. Instructed manager must remove rat droppings by date of reinspection. Advised to call pest control operator for service. Prioriyt foundation 7-38-020(a).
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Garnish reach in cooler (left side door) loose from hindge. Must repair and maintain cooler.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: No employees food handlers training certificates on premises. Instructed manager all food handlers must be certified with names of employees on premises.
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
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Pass
Complaint · Pass
7 general Show violations
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Dry food in plastic container, stored inside storage area must be labeled with common name:spices,sugar etc
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralFood handling
Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.
Inspector’s note: All stored items, boxed togo containers, must be properly protected invert them on shelves and throughout all areas.
Official wording (code 45)
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & 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: Encrusted food at blade of can opener,clean 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: Grease inside deep fryer, clean and maintain
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Covers is required at all receptacle in women's washroom
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Grease on floor under cooking equipment.clean and maintain
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Employees sweater,bags etc, stored at rear storage area,instructed to provide a separate area/locker for employee personal items. No employee personal items must be stored in prep area and food storage area.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
10 general1 paperwork Show violations
-
GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: All dry food must be labeled with a common name at storage area
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: Outer opening not protected:we observed rear screen doors with a gap of 1/4" between doors.instructed to repair issue to minimize pest entry.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFood handling
Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Must store wiping cloths in prep areas in sanitizer bucket between uses to prevent cross contamination. Instructed to maintain.
Official wording (code 41)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
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GeneralFood handling
In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Ice scoop must be stored in a clean container between use. -
Official wording (code 43)
In-use utensils: properly stored
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GeneralFood handling
Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.
Inspector’s note: Must not use tape as padding for the corner of the shelf by the low temp dishmachine. Surface must be smooth and cleanable
Official wording (code 45)
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & 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: Rusty shelves inside the walk-in cooler, inside the walk-in coolers. Must repair and restore to a smooth, easily cleanable surface or replace
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: Must not use milk crates as a means of elevation for stored items.
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: Grease build up under flat grill,and deep fryer clean and maintain
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Receptacles lids not maintained at outside dumpster area. We observed broken lids,bended and missing lids. No cover for dumpster,unit remains half uncovered.instructed to provide lids or replace container, to minimize pest and insect activities. Priority foundation violation: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: Excess unused items in basement area ,instructed to remove and elevate items needed 6"off the floor.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Allergen training certificates provided on site are expired. Instructed to renew certificate for all certified food service managers
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical1 general Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Found low temperature dishmachine not sanitizing. 0ppm chlorine.priority violation.citation issued.7-38-025.chlorine bleach sanitizer was provided for dishmachine by the end of inspection.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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GeneralFood handling
Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.
Inspector’s note: Found food containers not stored properly on shelving units.must store inverted.
Official wording (code 44)
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
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More in ZIP 60659
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.