SEP 23
2025
PASSED
0 violationsSANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
CHINESE KITCHEN MEI INC..
YOUR CALL. 66/100
3539 N CICERO AVE · AVONDALE, CHICAGO
Last inspected September 23, 2025 · passed
5 of 7 inspections passed, 2 failed. 2 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
7
5 passed · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
23
includes 2 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Aug 2022
INSPECTION HISTORY
SEP 192025FAILED10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
SEP 19
2025
FAILED
10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR 6 INCHES.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 RODENT DROPPINGS IN CABINET AND ON FLOOR OF EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN FACILITY FREE OF PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED GROCERY BAGS USED TO STORE FOOD IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE AND USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINERS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED PREP TABLE MOUNTED CAN OPENER CRACKED AND COVERED IN RUST AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED CARDBOARD AND EGG CRATES USED AS SHELF LINERS AND STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD/EGG CRATES AND MAINTAIN ONLY SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
OBSERVED NO HOT WATER THROUGHOUT FACILITY. NOTED ALL SINKS IN FACILITY MAINTAINING IMPROPER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 75.7F AND 78.0F. MANAGEMENT STATES HOT WATER HEATER BROKE LAST NIGHT. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT FACILITY AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
PLUMBING UNDER 2 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKS. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN PLUMBING.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE, GRIME, AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND COOK LINE AND HEAVY BUILD UP OF DUST AND GRIME ON WALL NEAR REAR HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CLUTTER IN REAR CORNER NEAR WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN ONLY NECESSARY ITEMS ON SITE. KEEP AREAS ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING.
SEP 52024PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
SEP 5
2024
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED POTS OF FOOD BEING STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH STORAGE SHELVES 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.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
OBSERVED SOILED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON ON MULTIPLE PREP SURFACE AREAS IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD AND MAINTAIN
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED RUSTED STORAGE RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS LINER ON MULTIPLE PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
FEB 162023PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
FEB 16
2023
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-101.11 OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER.
show all 7 inspections →
FEB 62023FAILED3 violationsDETAILS
FEB 6
2023
FAILED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER AND STAINLESS STEEL SHELVES ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2561821 ON 8/8/22 NOT CORRECTED: 53 - OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN. 57 - OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN. 58 - 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. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
AUG 82022PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
AUG 8
2022
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
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.
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 →