Brightwok Kitchen
21 E Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
Restaurant ZIP 60603 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Jan 29, 2026
Brightwok Kitchen was last inspected on January 29, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 4 violations.
Latest inspection
January 29, 2026 · Canvass Re-Inspection
Result: Pass
4 general-
GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: 3-302.12 : must label food storage containers when food is not in original package(squeeze bottles,shakers,etc)
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(c) : must clean excessive grease and food debris build up from pipes of cooking equipment,rolling carts,dish racks,sink basins,prep tables,exterior of food storage containers, walk in cooler-fan guard covers,shelving units.
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: 6-201.13 : must repair or replace damaged wall on both sides at front entry to prep area in poor repair and loose wall bases in hallway leading to rear prep area.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: 6-501.14 : must clean debris build up from filters and hood of cooking equipment.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspection history
3 inspections on record
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
3 critical6 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: Pic doesn't have a certified food managers certificate must provide and maintain.(priority foundation 7-38-012)
Official wording (code 1)
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
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CriticalFood temperature
Hot food was held below a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of tcs foods such as 11 lbs. Cooked rice-98.6f-114.6f in hot holdimg unit.product was discarded by manager must have hot holding foods at 135.0f or above. Appx. 11lbs. $6.(priority 7-38-005)(citation issued)(cos)
Official wording (code 21)
Proper hot holding temperatures
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of 3- dozen shelled eggs-49.5f,1lbs. Shreeded sweet potatos-49.1f in a pan at grill . Product was discarded by manager. Must have cold holding foods at 41.0f or below. Appx.4lbs. $30.(priority 7-38-005)(consolidated violation )(cos)
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
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GeneralFood temperature
Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.
Inspector’s note: Observed hot holding cabinet at 75.2f with tcs foods stored inside. A held for inspection tag placed on unit.must have hot holding unit at 135.0f or above. (priority 7-38-005)(cos)(citation issued)
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Must label food storage containers when food is not in original package(squeeze bottles,shakers,etc)
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must clean excessive grease and food debris build up from pipes of cooking equipment,rolling carts,dish racks,sink basins,prep tables,exterior of food storage containers, walk in cooler-fan guard covers,shelving units.
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: Must repair or replace damaged wall on both sides at front entry to prep area in poor repair and loose wall bases in hallway leading to rear prep area.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up from filters and hood of cooking equipment.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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GeneralRepeat violation
A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.
Inspector’s note: Previous core violations from report #2619990 7/2/25 not corrected-#47-4-101.19 : observed rust on green shelving units in walk in cooler and on lower shelf of prep table in middle of rear prep. Instructed to remove rust from shelving units in walk in cooler and middle prep table in rear prep, instructed non food contact surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material.#49-4-601.11(b) : observed grease build up on cooking equipment in the front prep area. Instructed to detail clean all cooking equipment and maintain.#51-5-205.15 : observed drain pipe leaking at handwashing sink in rear prep/dishwashing area( near walk in cooler). Instructed to repair drain pipe of handwashing sink in rear prep/dishwashing area( near walk in cooler) and maintain.#55-6-501.12 : observed grease buildup and debris on floors in front prep area under and…
Official wording (code 60)
Previous core violation corrected
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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 duty while tcs foods are being prepared,handled and served such as (chicken.rice,steak,eggs,etc)must be on site at all times.(priority foundation 7-38-012)(citation issued)manager arrived on site at 3:33 p.m.(cos)
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Conditional
License · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical7 general Show violations
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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 one door cold holding unit in front prep area across from cookline at improper ambient temperature of 52.2f. Instructed all cold holding units must be maintained at 41f or below. Held for inspection tag placed on one door cold holding unit in front prep area across from cookline. Priority violation 7-38-005 no citation issued during license inspection(note: citation for violation issued during canvass inspection on 07/02/2025)
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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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 rust on green shelving units in walk in cooler and on lower shelf of prep table in middle of rear prep. Instructed to remove rust from shelving units in walk in cooler and middle prep table in rear prep, instructed non food contact surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material.
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 grease build up on cooking equipment in the front prep area. Instructed to detail clean all cooking equipment 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 drain pipe leaking at handwashing sink in rear prep/dishwashing area( near walk in cooler). Instructed to repair drain pipe of handwashing sink in rear prep/dishwashing area( near walk in cooler) and maintain.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed debris on ground underneath and surrounding grease container. Instructed to clean ground underneath and surrounding grease container and maintain.
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: Observed grease buildup and debris on floors in front prep area under and behind cooking equipment . Instructed must detail clean floors under and behind cooking equipment in the front prep area. Observed debris on floors underneath shelving and in corners in storage closet. Instructed to clean floors underneath shelving and in corners in storage closet.
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 non smooth area on plank on wall above three compartment. Instructed to smoothly repair plank above wall above three compartment sink for ease of cleanability.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Observed non working mechanical ventilation in both all gender washrooms. Instructed to repair or install mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity in both all gender washrooms.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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More in ZIP 60603
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 9 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.