Chicago
18
BEAT

Elaine'S Chop Suey 1

4512 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60609 · Back of the Yards · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
18/100

Failed most recent inspection — food temperature found

Inspections
6
2 passed
Last Inspected
2025-03-27
Pass Rate
33%
4 failures
Score
18/100
BEAT
Failed 4 inspections (2025, 2024, 2024...)
Most recent inspection (2025-03-27) was a failure
Food Temperature issues found across 6 inspections
Pest Activity issues found across 5 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation serious 17×
🌡
Food Temperature critical
🐀
Pest Activity critical
📌
Other minor
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
📋
Documentation & Training critical
2025-03-27 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 5
critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40-50 ADULT COCKROACHES ON GLUE BOARDS, BOTH DEAD AND ALIVE, BENEATH THE 2-DOOR SLIDING-DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN COOK LINE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD AND TRAPPED COCKROACHES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREA(S), AND CON...

minor Plumbing & Waste

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AND MOP HEADS IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING STORED IN THE WASHROOM AREA SHELF. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PAPER TOWELS AND MOP HEADS FROM PROHIBITED AREAS SUCH AS TOILET ROOMS AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED TO LINE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL AND MAINTAIN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD-UP OF GREASE ALONG NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (DEEP FRYER, WOK LINE). INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.

serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK COLD WATER SUPPLY TO BE LEAKING, BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE COLD WATER SUPPLY AT FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK TO ELIMINATE LEAK AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.

2024-04-26 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2024-04-23 Fail Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 6
critical Documentation & Training

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

2-102.14(O) THE MANAGER PROVIDED NO PROOF OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010. CITATION ISSUED.

serious Food Temperature

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

3-501.17 OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER(CHICKEN) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRU...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-501.111 OBSERVED PEST INFESTATION. NOTED OVER 1000 MICE DROPPING ON SHELVES AND FLOORS IN DRY STORAGE AREA, KITCHEN ARE UNDER 3 COMPARTMENTS SINK AND BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT, IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND BEHIND A DRINK COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA, DINING ...

minor Sanitation

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

4-204.18 NOTED ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER ON THE FLOOR AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.

minor Sanitation

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

4-101.19 CARBOARD OBSERVED ON THE FLOOR OF FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

serious Sanitation

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

8-404.13(B:4)PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS FROM 03/15/2023, REPORT #2572621, OBSERVED NOT TO BE CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #41 WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. #58 MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR THE CITY OF CHI...

2024-04-16 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 10
critical Documentation & Training

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

THE MANAGER PROVIDED NO PROOF OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010. CITATION ISSUED.

critical Food Temperature

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT EMPLOYEE BATHROOMS HANDWASHING SINKS: THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER WAS 80.0 F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE FOOD DISPLAY COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: EGGS AT 53.0 F, CHICKEN AT 49. F, OIL GARLIC AT 61.3 F, SMALL SHRIMPS AT 47.0 F, AND EGG WASH AT 55.4 F. MANAG...

serious Food Temperature

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER(CHICKEN) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRUCTED TO P...

minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

4-301.11 OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATOR AT 69.9F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD-FOR-INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE UNIT. ONCE REPAIRED, FAX OR EMAIL TO CDPH.MUST HAVE COLD-HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED PEST INFESTATION. NOTED OVER 1000 MICE DROPPING ON SHELVES AND FLOORS IN DRY STORAGE AREA, KITCHEN ARE UNDER 3 COMPARTMENTS SINK AND BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT, IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND BEHIND A DRINK COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA, DINING AREA AND O...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED A 1/2" GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS AND CLOSE THE HOLE TO PREVENT PESTS ' ENTRY.

minor Sanitation

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

NOTED ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER ON THE FLOOR AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.

minor Sanitation

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

CARBOARD OBSERVED ON THE FLOOR OF FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

serious Sanitation

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS FROM 03/15/2023, REPORT #2572621, OBSERVED NOT TO BE CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #41 WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. #55 FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND ...

2023-03-15 Pass License Re-Inspection
7
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

4-602.11(B-E) INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE, AND ALL MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

3-304.14 WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C) ENTIRE WOK STATION, INTERI0R/EXTERIOR OF FRYERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15: WOK STATION WATER LINE LEAKING, USING BUCKET TO COLLECT WATER LEAKING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12: FLOOR THROUGH OUT PREMISES UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND WOK STATION LINE NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE ACCUMULATION, ETC. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. FLOOR DRAINS THROUGH OUT PREMISES NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO...

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13: EMPLOYEES MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION

2023-02-08 Fail License
CRITICAL 13
critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HANDSINK IN PREP AREA AND EMPLOYEE RESTROOM NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY F...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

"OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE WASHROOM AT THE WASHBOWL SINK NOR AT THE HAND-SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWEL FOR HAND SINK DURING TIM...

serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE, AND ALL MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME

serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED TCS FOODS (GARLIC AND OIL MIXTURE) HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF 70.1F IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MANAGER DISCARDED 1LBS AT $10. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

"OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED T...

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

ENTIRE WOK STATION, INTERIRO/EXTERIOR OF FRYERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

WOK STATION WATER LINE LEAKING, USING BUCKET TO COLLECT WATER LEAKING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MOPS IMPROPERLY STORED IN BUCKET. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY IN A POSITION THAT ALLOWS THEM TO AIR DRY WITHOUT SOILING WALLS, EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOOR THROUGH OUT PREMISES UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND WOK STATION LINE NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE ACCUMULATION, ETC. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. FLOOR DRAINS THROUGH OUT PREMISES NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AN...

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

EMPLOYEES MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION

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53
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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
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