Cleo's Southern Cuisine

Chicago Health Dept

4248 S COTTAGE GROVE AVE · BRONZEVILLE, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Mar 2025).

8 inspections on record since 2019 · Last inspected Mar 2025.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAR 2025

Inspection history

MAR 21

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN THE DRY STORAGE SHELVING AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE BULK STORAGE CONTAINER TO REMOVE DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNER BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED THE HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT DIRTY. MUST CLEAN TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.

Minor Other

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION (#58 : ALLERGEN TRAINING) NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2590388 DATE 3/1/24. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-42-090. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED THE PIC/ CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.

MAR 1

2024

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS, AND INSIDE THE RIF DEFROST AND CLEAN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE PIC/ CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.

SEP 29

2023

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NO HANDWASHING SIGN IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. CORRECTED ON SITE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

THE HOT WATER FAUCET KNOB AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA IS IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR KNOB.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED (3 COMP SINK AND FURNACE CLOSET).

NOV 10

2021

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (SUSHI, RICE, ETC.) ARE BEING PREPPED. INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED. MUST PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AT TIME OUT MARKET.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS.

AUG 27

2021

PASS 3 violations

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT UTILITY SINK IN BASEMENT; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT UTILITY SINK.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MOP SINK IN THE BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTS IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

show all 8 inspections →

JAN 24

2020

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations

Serious Food Storage & Handling

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

FOUND TCS FOODS AND READY TO EAT FOODS STORED IN COOLERS AND NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN PREPARED AND/OR REMOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

FOUND NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR TAKING INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

FOUND FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND A LEAK AT THE PIPE UNDER THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK (CLOSEST TO THE WALL). INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN THE LEAK.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

FOUND NO TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH A LID/COVER. MAINTAIN SAME.

APR 17

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

MAR 19

2019

FAIL 10 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

Critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

MUST HAVE COLD/HOT HOLDING UNITS OPERATIONAL FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA MUST BE SECURE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM PUBLIC, MUST PROVIDE LOCK AT DOOR. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

MUST REPAIR LEAK AT 3-COMP SINK FAUCET(SPRAYER).

Minor Other

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

PREMISES MUST PROVIDE COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(b).

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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