SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

ALPS ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE.

EAT. 92/100

3637 W IRVING PARK RD · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Last inspected February 26, 2026 · passed

Passed all 3 inspections, but 3 critical violations on file.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
3
3 passed
VIOLATIONS
21
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since Mar 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

FEB 26
2026
PASSED
12 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR EXPOSED HAND WASHIG SINK IN THE FRONT KITCHEN PREP AREA AND IN THE FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ELEVATEALL FOOD ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE PREP COOLER LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE SHELVING.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REMOVE AND CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE AT THE EXPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES PROVIDED IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED A FEW WATER DAMAGED AND MISSING CEILING TILES IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA AND REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR/PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

CRITICALPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER ON THE BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITES CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

FEB 28
2025
PASSED
6 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 DEAD ROACHES LOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS NEAR ICE MACHINE, NEAR DEEP FRYING EQUIPMENT, UNDER DISHWASHER NEAR DRAIN, UNDER THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK, AND BY REAR EXIT BEHIND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.

MINORSanitation
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

OBSERVED PLATES AND BOWLS IN FRONT SERVING AREA NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT PLATES AFTER SANITIZING AND AIR DRYING.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.

MAR 28
2024
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IS NEEDED ON THE WATER INTAKE LINE FOR THE COFFEE MACHINE ON THE SERVICE LINE. OBSERVED BACK FLOW PREVENTION DIVICE NEEDED ON WATER INTAKE LINE OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED 1 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT ATTACHED TO WATER LINES AND DRAIN. SINK IS PART OF PREP TABLE. REPAIR AND MAINTAIN PREP SINK.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED WALL MISSING TILES. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →

NEARBY IN NORTH CENTER